Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in December
December at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument averages a daytime high near 53°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 6.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 53°F
Range across the year: 32°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 6.1 in
- Daylight
- 9.7 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 130 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2024 to 2025.
That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (2.4×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 44°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 3,763 recreation visits, up 7.1% from 3,513 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 64°F / 41°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 65 Good |
| December | 53°F / 35°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 51 Fair |
| January | 50°F / 32°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Get Started at the Sumner Visitor Center · 30-60 minutes
- More to See in Illinois
- Visit Graball Landing
- Visit the Illinois Unit · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 53°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, with about 6.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2024–2025.
Where to stay near Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley in December
Booking a December trip to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley in December?
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2024–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.