Bryce Canyon National Park in December
December at Bryce Canyon National Park averages a daytime high near 37°F and an overnight low around 17°F, with about 1.3" of precipitation and roughly 15" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 17°F
- Average high
- 37°F
Range across the year: 17°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 1.3 in
- Snowfall
- 15 in
- Daylight
- 9.4 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 50,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 43/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is August: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 27°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 43% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,967,367 recreation visits, down 21.2% from 2,498,075 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 46°F / 23°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 40 Poor |
| December | 37°F / 17°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| January | 37°F / 17°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Bryce Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Bryce Canyon in December
The National Park Service tags 16 Bryce Canyon activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Go Cross-Country Skiing
- Go For a Winter Hike · reservation required
- Go Snowshoeing · reservation required
- Snowshoe Hikes · 90-120 minutes · reservation required
- Backcountry Hiking and Camping · reservation required
- Full Moon Hike · 60-120 minutes · reservation required
- Mossy Cave Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Stargazing at Bryce Canyon
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 37°F and an overnight low around 17°F at Bryce Canyon National Park, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 15 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Bryce Canyon National Park (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is August.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 50,000 recreation visits at Bryce Canyon National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Bryce Canyon in December
Booking a December trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Bryce Canyon
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.