Great Smoky Mountains National Park in December
December at Great Smoky Mountains National Park averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 43°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 74°F
- Precipitation
- 7.0 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 694,000 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 (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 33/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 35°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 11,527,939 recreation visits, down 5.4% from 12,191,834 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 9.2%, 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 | 50°F / 32°F | 0.9× Average | 32 Poor |
| December | 43°F / 27°F | 0.7× Quiet | 33 Poor |
| January | 39°F / 22°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Great Smoky Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Great Smoky Mountains 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.
- Balsam Mountain Campground (campground): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to May 15, 2027)
- Abrams Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 8, 2027)
- Big Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 15, 2027)
- Cataloochee Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 1, 2027)
- Cosby Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 15, 2027)
- Deep Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 1, 2027)
- Look Rock Campground (campground): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to May 8, 2027)
- Smokemont Group Campground (campground): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to May 8, 2027)
- Elkmont Campground (campground): closed all month (November 29, 2026 to April 3, 2027)
- Kuwohi Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (December 1, 2026 to April 1, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with about 7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 33/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 694,000 recreation visits at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains in December
Booking a December trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains
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.