Fort Donelson National Battlefield in December
December at Fort Donelson National Battlefield averages a daytime high near 50°F and an overnight low around 31°F, with about 4.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 31°F
- Average high
- 50°F
Range across the year: 27°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.6 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 11,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Fort Donelson; by contrast September, the busiest, runs about 1.4× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 40°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 9.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 151,151 recreation visits, down 9% from 166,026 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 24.8%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 60°F / 38°F | 0.9× Average | 47 Fair |
| December | 50°F / 31°F | 0.6× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| January | 46°F / 27°F | 0.7× Quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Donelson, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Donelson in December
The National Park Service tags 6 Fort Donelson activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Fort Donelson NB Autotour Route · 30-60 minutes
- Fort Donelson: Then and Now · 30-90 minutes
- Hike the Trails at Fort Donelson NB · 45-90 minutes
- Quilt Trail · 30-180 minutes
- Stop by the Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center · 15-45 minutes
- Want to Become a Junior Ranger? · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 50°F and an overnight low around 31°F at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, with about 4.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Fort Donelson National Battlefield (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 11,000 recreation visits at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Donelson in December
Booking a December trip to Fort Donelson National Battlefield? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Donelson
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.