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WhenToVisitParks

Crater Lake National Park in December

Very quiet0.2× average month · best-time score 2/100

December at Crater Lake National Park averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 19°F, with about 11.3" of precipitation and roughly 91" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
19°F
Average high
33°F

Range across the year: 19°F to 69°F

Crowds
0.2× averageVery quiet
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
11.3 in
Snowfall
91 in
Daylight
8.8 hours

Check access before you plan around December

December draws about 16% of the visits Crater Lake sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December. Official Crater Lake park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 8,700 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 July peak (3.4×) and the January low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 26°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 8.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 632,242 recreation visits, up 25.2% from 504,942 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.4%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November38°F / 23°F0.3× Very quiet43 Poor
December33°F / 19°F0.2× Very quiet2 Poor
January33°F / 20°F0.1× Very quiet2 Poor

All twelve months at Crater Lake, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in December 2026

The National Park Service lists these Crater Lake facilities as closed during December 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

December averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 19°F at Crater Lake National Park, with about 11.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 91 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at Crater Lake National Park (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is September. December draws about 16% of the visits Crater Lake sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 9,000 recreation visits at Crater Lake National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Crater Lake in December

Booking a December trip to Crater Lake National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Crater Lake

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.