De Soto National Memorial in December
December at De Soto National Memorial averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 2.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 75°F
Range across the year: 52°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 2.3 in
- Daylight
- 10.3 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 20,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the September low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 65°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 21% 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 10.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2023 drew 231,892 recreation visits, up 33.9% from 173,150 in 2022.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.9%, 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 | 80°F / 60°F | 0.9× Average | 73 Good |
| December | 75°F / 55°F | 1.0× Average | 68 Good |
| January | 73°F / 52°F | 1.2× Busy | 57 Fair |
All twelve months at De Soto, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 75°F and an overnight low around 55°F at De Soto National Memorial, with about 2.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at De Soto National Memorial (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is September. December sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 20,000 recreation visits at De Soto National Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near De Soto in December
Booking a December trip to De Soto National Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near De Soto
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.
Visiting De Soto in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for De Soto by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.