Lowell National Historical Park in December
December at Lowell National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.3× 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: 16°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 8.9 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.
It is the quietest month of the year at Lowell; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 4.8× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
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 2.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 60% 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 8.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 264,456 recreation visits, up 3.2% from 256,303 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 52.5%, 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 | 51°F / 30°F | 0.9× Average | 46 Fair |
| December | 40°F / 22°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| January | 34°F / 16°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Lowell, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Lowell in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Lowell activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Lowell Junior Ranger · 30-180 minutes
- Earn an Acre Community Ranger Badge · 30-120 minutes
- Explore the Boott Cotton Mills Museum · 30-120 minutes
- Visit the Park Store at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Lowell National Historical Park, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Lowell National Historical Park (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 8,000 recreation visits at Lowell National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Lowell in December
Booking a December trip to Lowell National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Lowell
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.