Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in December
December at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 42°F and an overnight low around 27°F. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 42°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 85°F
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 1,900 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 August peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
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 7 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 9.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 48,776 recreation visits, down 10.2% from 54,293 in 2023.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 53°F / 34°F | 0.8× Quiet | 46 Fair |
| December | 42°F / 27°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 37°F / 21°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Hopewell Furnace, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 42°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is August 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 Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hopewell Furnace in December
Booking a December trip to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Hopewell Furnace
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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.