How Crowded Is Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in December?
December runs about 0.3× Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.
In a typical December the park sees about 97,000 recreation visits, 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"), versus the top-rated October at 63/100 — pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation.
That average of about 35°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
December is very quiet at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair". The single best month overall 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
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Top-rated places to stay near Glen Canyon
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Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-07-14.