Lake Mead National Recreation Area in December
December at Lake Mead National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 37°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 37°F
- Average high
- 58°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 109°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 409,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Lake Mead; by contrast June, the busiest, runs about 1.3× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 64/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 6,135,586 recreation visits, down 4.3% from 6,412,854 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 17.4%, 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 | 69°F / 46°F | 0.8× Quiet | 69 Good |
| December | 58°F / 37°F | 0.7× Quiet | 64 Good |
| January | 60°F / 38°F | 0.7× Quiet | 65 Good |
All twelve months at Lake Mead, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Lake Mead in December
The National Park Service tags 34 Lake Mead activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike the River Mountains Loop Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Arizona Hot Springs Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Goldstrike Canyon Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Historic Railroad Trail · 1-4 hours
- Hike the Lake View Trail · 1-4 hours
- Hike the Liberty Bell Arch Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the Lone Palm Trail · 4-8 hours
- Hike the White Rock Canyon Trail · 4-8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 37°F at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 409,000 recreation visits at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lake Mead in December
Booking a December trip to Lake Mead National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Mead
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 Lake Mead in December?
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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.