Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in December
December at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 38°F, with about 10.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 38°F
- Average high
- 49°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 69°F
- Precipitation
- 10.7 in
- Daylight
- 8.4 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 9,100 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 Lewis and Clark; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.9× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 47/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 43°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 44% 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 8.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 244,195 recreation visits, down 8.6% from 267,118 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 54°F / 40°F | 0.6× Quiet | 48 Fair |
| December | 49°F / 38°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 47 Fair |
| January | 49°F / 38°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Lewis and Clark, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Lewis and Clark in December
The National Park Service tags 11 Lewis and Clark activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Clay Pit Pond Trail · 15-60 minutes
- Continue South to Find a Whale · 1-4 hours
- Experience History Come Alive at Fort Clatsop · 1-3 hours
- Fort Clatsop Audio Tour · 20-60 minutes
- Fort to Sea Trail · 3-6 hours
- Kwis Kwis Trail · 1-5 hours
- South Slough Trail · 1-3 hours
- Stretch Your Legs at the Dismal Nitch Wayside · 5-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 38°F at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, with about 10.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 47/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 9,000 recreation visits at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lewis and Clark in December
Booking a December trip to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lewis and 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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.