Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in December
December at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 1" of precipitation and roughly 18" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 15°F
- Average high
- 27°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 69°F
- Precipitation
- 1.0 in
- Snowfall
- 18 in
- Daylight
- 5.3 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 180 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes December the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (3.3×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 21°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 36.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 70% 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 5.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2017 drew 22,755 recreation visits, up 7.8% from 21,102 in 2016.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 109.9%, 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 | 32°F / 21°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| December | 27°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| January | 24°F / 10°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
All twelve months at Lake Clark, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Lake Clark facilities as closed during December 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Port Alsworth Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 17, 2026 to May 22, 2027)
Things to do at Lake Clark in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Lake Clark activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Camp at Kontrashibuna Lake · 2-7 days
- Flight Seeing at Lake Clark · 1-6 hours · reservation required
- Go Fishing on Lake Clark · 2-8 hours
- See the Wassillie Trefon Dena'ina Fish Cache · 5-45 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, with about 1 inches of precipitation and roughly 18 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 36.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 16% of the visits Lake Clark 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 August and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Lake Clark in December
Booking a December trip to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Clark
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.