Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in December
December at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine averages a daytime high near 48°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 3.7" 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
- 48°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- 9.2 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 16,000 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 (1.4×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 49/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 41°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 9.2 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 394,175 recreation visits, down 8.3% from 429,967 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 47.4%, 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 | 58°F / 43°F | 0.7× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 48°F / 35°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 49 Fair |
| January | 44°F / 30°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort McHenry, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort McHenry in December
The National Park Service tags 12 Fort McHenry activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Ranger's Choice Programs · 25-45 minutes
- Become a Fort McHenry Jr. Ranger · 1 hour
- Bird Watching at Fort McHenry
- Fort McHenry Audio Tours · 45-90 minutes
- Fort McHenry Movie · 12-12 minutes
- Picnicking at Fort McHenry
- Ride Your Bike at Fort McHenry
- Walk the Seawall Trail
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 48°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July 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 16,000 recreation visits at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort McHenry in December
Booking a December trip to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort McHenry
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.