Gateway National Recreation Area in December
December at Gateway National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 4" of precipitation and roughly 4" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Snowfall
- 4 in
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 488,000 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 (1.6×) and the February low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 39°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 9.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 7,696,939 recreation visits, down 13.8% from 8,929,035 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 54°F / 41°F | 0.8× Quiet | 53 Fair |
| December | 45°F / 33°F | 0.7× Quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 40°F / 28°F | 0.7× Quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Gateway, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Gateway in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Gateway activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Cross Country Skiing at Floyd Bennett Field · 2-4 hours
- Birdwatching at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge · 1-3 hours
- Fishing at Gateway · 1-8 hours
- Sandy Hook Multi Use Path · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Gateway National Recreation Area, with about 4 inches of precipitation and roughly 4 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Gateway National Recreation Area (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 488,000 recreation visits at Gateway National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gateway in December
Booking a December trip to Gateway National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gateway
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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.