Buffalo National River in December
December at Buffalo National River averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 3.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 51°F
Range across the year: 24°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.6 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 41,000 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 June peak (2.3×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 39°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 46% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,393,246 recreation visits, down 17.4% from 1,686,348 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 60°F / 35°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 55 Fair |
| December | 51°F / 27°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 48 Fair |
| January | 48°F / 24°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
All twelve months at Buffalo, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Buffalo in December
The National Park Service tags 36 Buffalo activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike Shine Eye to Gilbert · 4 hours
- Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Dillards Ferry · 24-48 hours
- Hike the Old Railroad Trail · 3 hours
- Hike to Hideout Hollow · 1-3 hours
- Paddle Hasty to Carver · 2-3 hours
- Paddle Pruitt to Hasty · 3-5 hours
- Paddling Dillards Ferry to Rush Landing · 4-6 hours
- Paddling North Maumee to Spring Creek · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Buffalo National River, with about 3.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Buffalo National River (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 41,000 recreation visits at Buffalo National River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Buffalo in December
Booking a December trip to Buffalo National River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Buffalo
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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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.