How Crowded Is Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in December?

December runs about 0.7× Mississippi National River & Recreation Area's average month, which makes it a quiet month here — roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees about 18,000 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Mississippi; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.4× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated September at 63/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 29°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation.

That average of about 22°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

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 8.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 224,722 recreation visits, down 12.3% from 256,133 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.6%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.