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Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in December

Very quiet0.1× average month · best-time score 0/100

December at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 9°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation and roughly 9" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
9°F
Average high
27°F

Range across the year: 4°F to 85°F

Crowds
0.1× averageVery quiet
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  2. F
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  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
0.4 in
Snowfall
9 in
Daylight
8.2 hours

Check access before you plan around December

December draws about 8% of the visits Fort Union Trading Post 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. Official Fort Union Trading Post park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 80 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 June peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 18°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.8 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 8.2 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2024 drew 12,028 recreation visits, down 7.1% from 12,942 in 2023.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 23.2%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November40°F / 20°F0.2× Very quiet2 Poor
December27°F / 9°F0.1× Very quiet0 Poor
January24°F / 4°F0.1× Very quiet1 Poor

All twelve months at Fort Union Trading Post, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at Fort Union Trading Post in December

The National Park Service tags 3 Fort Union Trading Post activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

December averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 9°F at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 9 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is September. December draws about 8% of the visits Fort Union Trading Post 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 June and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Fort Union Trading Post in December

Booking a December trip to Fort Union Trading Post 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 Union Trading Post

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Visiting Fort Union Trading Post in December?

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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.