Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in December
December at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 3.4" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 49°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.4 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 9.3 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 118,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial; by contrast March, the busiest, runs about 1.6× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 50/100 ("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 2.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 29% 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 9.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,843,263 recreation visits, down 12.6% from 3,251,594 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 58°F / 42°F | 0.7× Quiet | 55 Fair |
| December | 49°F / 35°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| January | 45°F / 30°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 35°F at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with about 3.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 118,000 recreation visits at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in December
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Top-rated places to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2011–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.