Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in December
December at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 33°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 61°F
- Precipitation
- 9.0 in
- Daylight
- 5.9 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 190 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.6×) and the February low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 30°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 5.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 740,044 recreation visits, about flat from 736,282 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 20.2%, 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 | 37°F / 30°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| December | 33°F / 27°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| January | 32°F / 26°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
All twelve months at Glacier Bay, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Glacier Bay 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.
- Glacier Bay National Park Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 6, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
- Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office (visitor center): closed all month (October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
Things to do at Glacier Bay in December
The National Park Service tags 5 Glacier Bay activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Camp at Bartlett Cove · 1-3 days
- Experience the Huna Tribal House · 1-3 hours
- Explore Gustavus
- Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove
- Kayak the Beardslees · 1-3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, with about 9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (about 0.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 1% of the visits Glacier Bay 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 July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.0× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier Bay in December
Booking a December trip to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier Bay
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.