Golden Spike National Historical Park in December
December at Golden Spike National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 34°F and an overnight low around 16°F, with about 1.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 16°F
- Average high
- 34°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 1.3 in
- Daylight
- 9.0 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 2,500 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (2.5×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 37/100 ("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 1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 39% 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 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 53,696 recreation visits, down 2.9% from 55,285 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 24.4%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 45°F / 24°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 47 Fair |
| December | 34°F / 16°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 37 Poor |
| January | 33°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Golden Spike, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 34°F and an overnight low around 16°F at Golden Spike National Historical Park, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Golden Spike National Historical Park (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 37/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Golden Spike National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Golden Spike in December
Booking a December trip to Golden Spike National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Golden Spike
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.
Visiting Golden Spike in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Golden Spike by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.