Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in December
December at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 36°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 36°F
- Average high
- 56°F
Range across the year: 34°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- 9.8 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 31,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1983 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.4×) and the October low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 56/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 9.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 647,349 recreation visits, down 44.2% from 1,159,438 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.7%, 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 | 64°F / 41°F | 0.8× Quiet | 59 Fair |
| December | 56°F / 36°F | 0.7× Quiet | 56 Fair |
| January | 54°F / 34°F | 1.3× Busy | 19 Poor |
All twelve months at Martin Luther King, Jr., with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 36°F at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 56/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is October. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 31,000 recreation visits at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1983–2025.
Where to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. in December
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Top-rated places to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1983–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.