Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in December
December at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 25°F and an overnight low around 11°F. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 11°F
- Average high
- 25°F
Range across the year: 3°F to 81°F
- Daylight
- 8.3 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 50 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1981 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 1/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 18°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 10 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 8.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 9,048 recreation visits, down 16.7% from 10,867 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 7.2%, 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 | 37°F / 21°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| December | 25°F / 11°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
| January | 20°F / 3°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
All twelve months at Knife River Indian Villages, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 25°F and an overnight low around 11°F at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 10 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 1/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 6% of the visits Knife River Indian Villages 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 Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1981–2025.
Where to stay near Knife River Indian Villages in December
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Top-rated places to stay near Knife River Indian Villages
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1981–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.