Dry Tortugas National Park in December
December at Dry Tortugas National Park averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 67°F, with about 2.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 67°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 65°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 2.4 in
- Daylight
- 10.5 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 6,100 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.2×) and the October low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 57/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is February: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 71°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 0.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 28% 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 10.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 89,355 recreation visits, up 5.3% from 84,873 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 34.7%, 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 | 79°F / 71°F | 0.9× Average | 59 Fair |
| December | 76°F / 67°F | 1.0× Average | 57 Fair |
| January | 74°F / 65°F | 1.0× Average | 60 Good |
All twelve months at Dry Tortugas, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 67°F at Dry Tortugas National Park, with about 2.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at Dry Tortugas National Park (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 57/100. Our recommended month is February.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is October. December sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 6,000 recreation visits at Dry Tortugas National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Dry Tortugas in December
Booking a December trip to Dry Tortugas National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Dry Tortugas
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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.