Fort Scott National Historic Site in December
December at Fort Scott National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 2.1" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 2.1 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 9.4 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 1,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 34/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 36°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 9.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 25,254 recreation visits, up 2.4% from 24,654 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 57°F / 36°F | 0.6× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 46°F / 27°F | 0.7× Quiet | 34 Poor |
| January | 42°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Scott, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Fort Scott National Historic Site, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Fort Scott National Historic Site (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 34/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Fort Scott National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Scott in December
Booking a December trip to Fort Scott 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 Scott
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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.