Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in December
December at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 67°F, with about 4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes December a busy month here.
- Average low
- 67°F
- Average high
- 81°F
Range across the year: 65°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Daylight
- 10.8 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 145,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the January peak (1.2×) and the September low (0.8×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 44/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 74°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 25% 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 10.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,877,854 recreation visits, up 31% from 1,433,593 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, 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 | 82°F / 69°F | 1.0× Average | 59 Fair |
| December | 81°F / 67°F | 1.2× Busy | 44 Poor |
| January | 79°F / 65°F | 1.2× Busy | 41 Poor |
All twelve months at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 67°F at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with about 4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is busy at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is January and the quietest is September. December sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 145,000 recreation visits at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December
Booking a December trip to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
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 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes 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.