Mammoth Cave National Park in December
December at Mammoth Cave National Park averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 4.8" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 51°F
Range across the year: 29°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 4.8 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 21,000 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×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 42°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 42% 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 9.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 660,734 recreation visits, down 11.6% from 747,042 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 27.1%, 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 | 61°F / 40°F | 0.6× Quiet | 56 Fair |
| December | 51°F / 33°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 48°F / 29°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Mammoth Cave, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Mammoth Cave 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.
- Mammoth Cave Campground (campground): closed all month (December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027)
- Maple Springs Group Campground (campground): closed all month (December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027)
Things to do at Mammoth Cave in December
The National Park Service tags 10 Mammoth Cave activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Attend a Ranger-led Program · 10-60 minutes
- Become a Mammoth Cave Junior Ranger
- Cave Tours · 1-6 hours · reservation required
- Explore the park on Horseback
- Ride the Big Hollow Trail
- Road Biking
- See the Stars
- Take a Ridge-top Walk to Sunset Point · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Mammoth Cave National Park, with about 4.8 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Mammoth Cave National Park (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 21,000 recreation visits at Mammoth Cave National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Mammoth Cave in December
Booking a December trip to Mammoth Cave National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mammoth Cave
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 Mammoth Cave in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Mammoth Cave by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.