How Crowded Is El Morro National Monument in December?

December runs about 0.5× El Morro National Monument's average month, which makes it a quiet month here — roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees roughly 2,600 recreation visits, 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 May peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.5×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 40/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated June at 61/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 14°F, with about 1" of precipitation and roughly 6" of snow.

That average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 9.7 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 48,797 recreation visits, down 15.6% from 57,827 in 2024.