Friendship Hill National Historic Site in December
December at Friendship Hill National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 25°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation and roughly 4" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 25°F
- Average high
- 43°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2 in
- Snowfall
- 4 in
- Daylight
- 9.2 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 780 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1983 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (3.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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, 2025 drew 18,080 recreation visits, down 7.1% from 19,465 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 48%, 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 | 53°F / 31°F | 0.6× Quiet | 51 Fair |
| December | 43°F / 25°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 39°F / 21°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Friendship Hill, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Friendship Hill in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Friendship Hill activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Friendship Hill Junior Ranger · 1-3 hours
- Friendship Hill Senior Ranger · 2-4 hours
- Hiking at Friendship Hill · 30-300 minutes
- Tour the Gallatin House and Historic Knoll · 15-75 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 25°F at Friendship Hill National Historic Site, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation and roughly 4 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Friendship Hill National Historic Site (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is September 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 1,000 recreation visits at Friendship Hill National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1983–2025.
Where to stay near Friendship Hill in December
Booking a December trip to Friendship Hill National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Friendship Hill
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 (1983–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.