Fort Bowie National Historic Site in December
December at Fort Bowie National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 31°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 31°F
- Average high
- 56°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 1.5 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 730 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 March peak (2.2×) and the August low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 43°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 9% 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 9.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 8,739 recreation visits, up 3% from 8,483 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 9.8%, 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 | 66°F / 38°F | 1.2× Busy | 50 Fair |
| December | 56°F / 31°F | 1.1× Average | 40 Poor |
| January | 56°F / 30°F | 1.3× Busy | 35 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Bowie, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 31°F at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at Fort Bowie National Historic Site (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is August. December sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Bowie in December
Booking a December trip to Fort Bowie National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Bowie
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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.