Castle Clinton National Monument in December
December at Castle Clinton National Monument averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 34°F, with about 4.4" of precipitation and roughly 5" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 34°F
- Average high
- 44°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.4 in
- Snowfall
- 5 in
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 292,000 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 July peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 27/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: 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 5.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 9.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,656,350 recreation visits, down 4.4% from 3,822,759 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 28.2%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 54°F / 42°F | 0.8× Quiet | 49 Fair |
| December | 44°F / 34°F | 0.9× Average | 27 Poor |
| January | 40°F / 28°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Castle Clinton, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 34°F at Castle Clinton National Monument, with about 4.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 5 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at Castle Clinton National Monument (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 27/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 292,000 recreation visits at Castle Clinton National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Castle Clinton in December
Booking a December trip to Castle Clinton National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Castle Clinton
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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.