Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in December
December at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 6.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 34°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 6.1 in
- Daylight
- 8.5 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 47,000 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 Vancouver; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.8× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 47/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: 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 0.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 38% 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 8.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,071,161 recreation visits, up 6.3% from 1,007,756 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 53°F / 39°F | 0.6× Quiet | 53 Fair |
| December | 47°F / 35°F | 0.6× Quiet | 47 Fair |
| January | 47°F / 34°F | 0.6× Quiet | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort Vancouver, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Fort Vancouver facilities as closed during December 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Fort Vancouver Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from December 21, 2026 to January 5, 2027
Things to do at Fort Vancouver in December
The National Park Service tags 19 Fort Vancouver activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Junior Ranger at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Birdwatching at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Experience the Fort Vancouver Kitchen · 5-30 minutes
- Level 3 Trails at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · 15-90 minutes
- Self-Guided Tour: The Spruce Mill Trail · 20-40 minutes
- Visit Fort Vancouver · 30-90 minutes
- Visit the Fort Vancouver Village · 30-60 minutes
- Watch a Blacksmith Work at Fort Vancouver · 5-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, with about 6.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 47/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July 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 47,000 recreation visits at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Vancouver in December
Booking a December trip to Fort Vancouver 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 Vancouver
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Fort Vancouver 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.