Dinosaur National Monument in December
December at Dinosaur National Monument averages a daytime high near 32°F and an overnight low around 16°F, with about 0.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 16°F
- Average high
- 32°F
Range across the year: 14°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 0.8 in
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 5,700 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 (2.5×) and the February low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 24°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 18.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 56% 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 315,725 recreation visits, down 2% from 322,113 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 12.6%, 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 | 45°F / 27°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 49 Fair |
| December | 32°F / 16°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| January | 31°F / 14°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Dinosaur, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Dinosaur 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.
- Rainbow Park Campground (campground): closed all month (September 25, 2026 to April 1, 2027)
- Echo Park Campground (campground): closed until December 12, 2026
- Canyon Visitor Center - Colorado (visitor center): closed all month (October 18, 2026 to May 15, 2027)
- Green River Campground (campground): closed all month (October 21, 2026 to April 3, 2027)
Things to do at Dinosaur in December
The National Park Service tags 16 Dinosaur activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Be a Dinosaur Junior Ranger
- Hike Sound of Silence Trail · 1-3 hours
- Hike the Desert Voices Trail · 1-3 hours
- Hike the Gates of Lodore Trail · 45-120 minutes
- Hike the Jones Hole Trail · 2-10 hours
- Hike to the Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs · 10-30 minutes
- Quarry Exhibit Hall · 30-240 minutes
- View the Night Sky at Split Mountain · 10-240 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 32°F and an overnight low around 16°F at Dinosaur National Monument, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 18.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Dinosaur National Monument (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 6,000 recreation visits at Dinosaur National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Dinosaur in December
Booking a December trip to Dinosaur National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Dinosaur
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.