Gateway Arch National Park in December
December at Gateway Arch National Park averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 2.8" of precipitation and roughly 3" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 2.8 in
- Snowfall
- 3 in
- Daylight
- 9.3 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 74,000 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 (2.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 39/100 ("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 4.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 48% 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 9.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,209,028 recreation visits, down 13.8% from 2,563,052 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 37.8%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 56°F / 35°F | 0.6× Quiet | 54 Fair |
| December | 45°F / 27°F | 0.5× Quiet | 39 Poor |
| January | 41°F / 22°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Gateway Arch, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Gateway Arch in December
The National Park Service tags 12 Gateway Arch activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- A Moment of Reflection · 1-99 minutes
- A View From the Top · 45-60 minutes · reservation required
- Explore the Museum under the Gateway Arch
- Explore with Lewis and Clark · 1-99 minutes
- Move Along the Mississippi River
- Report for Duty · 30-90 minutes
- See Monument to the Dream · 35-35 minutes · reservation required
- Shop at the Arch Store
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Gateway Arch National Park, with about 2.8 inches of precipitation and roughly 3 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Gateway Arch National Park (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 39/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 74,000 recreation visits at Gateway Arch National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gateway Arch in December
Booking a December trip to Gateway Arch National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gateway Arch
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Gateway Arch 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.