Lassen Volcanic National Park in December
December at Lassen Volcanic National Park averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 6.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 40°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 79°F
- Precipitation
- 6.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 8,000 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 July peak (2.8×) and the February low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 57% 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, 2025 drew 504,777 recreation visits, up 41.1% from 357,651 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 8.1%, 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 | 47°F / 26°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| December | 40°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| January | 41°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Lassen Volcanic, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Lassen Volcanic 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.
- Juniper Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026)
- Summit Lake North Campground (campground): closed all month (September 8, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Lost Creek Group Campground (campground): closed all month (September 16, 2026 to June 12, 2027)
- Summit Lake South Campground (campground): closed all month (September 25, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Butte Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (October 14, 2026 to May 29, 2027)
- Warner Valley Campground (campground): closed all month (October 14, 2026 to June 11, 2027)
- Loomis Museum (visitor center): closed all month (November 2, 2026 to May 20, 2027)
- Manzanita Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (November 13, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Manzanita Lake Campground (campground): closed all month (December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027)
Things to do at Lassen Volcanic in December
The National Park Service tags 7 Lassen Volcanic activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Lassen Volcanic National Park, with about 6.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Lassen Volcanic National Park (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is June.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 8,000 recreation visits at Lassen Volcanic National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lassen Volcanic in December
Booking a December trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lassen Volcanic
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.
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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.