Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in December
December at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 44°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 97°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 97,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 35°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 9.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,729,502 recreation visits, down 21.1% from 4,725,610 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 55°F / 35°F | 0.6× Quiet | 55 Fair |
| December | 44°F / 27°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| January | 45°F / 26°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Glen Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Glen Canyon in December
The National Park Service tags 11 Glen Canyon activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Contemplate Your Place in the Landscape At The Big Map · 1-120 minutes
- Day Trip or Backpack Hike to Coyote Gulch · 1-14 days · reservation required
- Driving the Burr Trail · 1-14 days
- Driving to Alstrom Point · 4-48 hours
- From Your Boat To The Bridge · 2-8 hours
- Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive Camping · 1-14 days
- Off Road Vehicles in Glen Canyon
- Scramble down Cathedral Wash Trail · 3-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 97,000 recreation visits at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glen Canyon in December
Booking a December trip to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glen Canyon
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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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.