John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in December
December at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 25°F, with about 1.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 25°F
- Average high
- 41°F
Range across the year: 25°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 1.2 in
- Daylight
- 8.6 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 2,900 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 33°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 47% 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 8.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 131,119 recreation visits, up 7% from 122,529 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 28%, 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 | 50°F / 30°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 41°F / 25°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 43°F / 26°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 7 Poor |
All twelve months at John Day Fossil Beds, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at John Day Fossil Beds in December
The National Park Service tags 19 John Day Fossil Beds activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Blue Basin Overlook Trail · 1-3 hours
- Clarno Arch Trail · 15-45 minutes
- Fossil Gallery · 10-60 minutes
- John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger Program · 20-120 minutes
- Leaf Hill Trail · 10-30 minutes
- Painted Cove Trail · 10-30 minutes
- River Trail · 10-35 minutes
- Story in Stone Trail · 15-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 25°F at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, with about 1.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 3,000 recreation visits at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near John Day Fossil Beds in December
Booking a December trip to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near John Day 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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.