Glacier National Park in December
December at Glacier National Park averages a daytime high near 29°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation and roughly 31" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 20°F
- Average high
- 29°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2 in
- Snowfall
- 31 in
- Daylight
- 8.1 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 17,000 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 (3.3×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 25°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 69% 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 8.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,136,557 recreation visits, down 2.3% from 3,208,755 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 37°F / 26°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| December | 29°F / 20°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| January | 30°F / 19°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
All twelve months at Glacier, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Glacier 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.
- Fish Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 4, 2026 to May 14, 2027)
- Rising Sun Campground (campground): closed all month (September 5, 2026 to May 28, 2027)
- Cut Bank Campground (campground): closed all month (September 20, 2026 to May 28, 2027)
- Avalanche Campground (campground): closed all month (September 21, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Logan Pass Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- St. Mary Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 5, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Many Glacier Campground (campground): closed all month (October 20, 2026 to June 4, 2027)
- Apgar Visitor Center (visitor center): closed until December 18, 2026
- Logging Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 26, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Bowman Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to May 11, 2027)
Things to do at Glacier in December
The National Park Service tags 25 Glacier activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 29°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Glacier National Park, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation and roughly 31 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Glacier National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is September. December draws about 7% of the visits Glacier 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 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 17,000 recreation visits at Glacier National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier in December
Booking a December trip to Glacier National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier
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.