Fort Laramie National Historic Site in December
December at Fort Laramie National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation and roughly 6" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 15°F
- Average high
- 43°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Snowfall
- 6 in
- Daylight
- 8.9 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 680 recreation visits in a typical year, 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 July peak (2.3×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 51% 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 8.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 36,998 recreation visits, down 16% from 44,045 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.3%, 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 | 52°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 46 Fair |
| December | 43°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| January | 43°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Laramie, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 6 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Fort Laramie National Historic Site (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is September. December draws about 18% of the visits Fort Laramie sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Laramie in December
Booking a December trip to Fort Laramie 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 Laramie
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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.