Coronado National Memorial in December
December at Coronado National Memorial averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 34°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes December a busy month here.
- Average low
- 34°F
- Average high
- 58°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.9 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 10.0 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 14,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.2×) and the June low (0.9×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 22/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 22% 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 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 179,216 recreation visits, up 9% from 164,426 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 13.3%, 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 | 67°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
| December | 58°F / 34°F | 1.2× Busy | 22 Poor |
| January | 59°F / 33°F | 1.0× Average | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Coronado, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Coronado in December
The National Park Service tags 3 Coronado activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Birding at Coronado · 15-120 minutes
- Visit Coronado Cave · 1-2 hours
- Visit Coronado Visitor Center · 10-25 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 34°F at Coronado National Memorial, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is busy at Coronado National Memorial (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 22/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is June. December sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 14,000 recreation visits at Coronado National Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Coronado in December
Booking a December trip to Coronado National Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Coronado
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.