Buck Island Reef National Monument in December
December at Buck Island Reef National Monument averages a daytime high near 84°F and an overnight low around 75°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 75°F
- Average high
- 84°F
Range across the year: 74°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2 in
- Daylight
- 10.9 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 3,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.5×) and the September low (0.4×).
December is our recommended month at Buck Island Reef: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 79°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 28% 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 10.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 40,079 recreation visits, down 5.2% from 42,289 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 40.3%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 86°F / 77°F | 0.8× Quiet | 52 Fair |
| December | 84°F / 75°F | 1.0× Average | 52 Fair |
| January | 82°F / 74°F | 1.2× Busy | 49 Fair |
All twelve months at Buck Island Reef, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 84°F and an overnight low around 75°F at Buck Island Reef National Monument, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at Buck Island Reef National Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 52/100. December is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is September. December sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Buck Island Reef National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Buck Island Reef in December
Booking a December trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Buck Island Reef
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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.