Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in December
December at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 38°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Daylight
- 8.9 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 320 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1995 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.3×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 30°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 53% 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 8.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 36,667 recreation visits, down 6.2% from 39,104 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 17.4%, 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 / 27°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 53 Fair |
| December | 38°F / 22°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| January | 38°F / 22°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Hagerman Fossil Beds, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is September. December draws about 14% of the visits Hagerman Fossil Beds 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 January. December sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1995–2025.
Where to stay near Hagerman Fossil Beds in December
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Top-rated places to stay near Hagerman Fossil Beds
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1995–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.