Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in December
December at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 34°F and an overnight low around 18°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation and roughly 7" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 18°F
- Average high
- 34°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Snowfall
- 7 in
- Daylight
- 9.0 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 7,600 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 August peak (1.8×) and the February low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 34/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 26°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 106,672 recreation visits, down 27.9% from 148,031 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.8%, 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 | 48°F / 28°F | 0.8× Quiet | 41 Poor |
| December | 34°F / 18°F | 0.8× Quiet | 34 Poor |
| January | 29°F / 12°F | 0.6× Quiet | 41 Poor |
All twelve months at Herbert Hoover, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Herbert Hoover in December
The National Park Service tags 7 Herbert Hoover activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Be a Junior Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Get Started at the Visitor Center · 30-60 minutes
- Picnic Where the President Picnicked · reservation required
- Take a Self-guided Tour · 30-60 minutes
- Tour the Presidential Library & Museum · 1-3 hours
- Visit Downtown West Branch · 30-60 minutes
- Walk the Nature Trails · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 34°F and an overnight low around 18°F at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation and roughly 7 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 34/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 8,000 recreation visits at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Herbert Hoover in December
Booking a December trip to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Herbert Hoover
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 Herbert Hoover in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Herbert Hoover 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.