Mount Rainier National Park in December
December at Mount Rainier National Park averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 18.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 33°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 64°F
- Precipitation
- 18.9 in
- Daylight
- 8.3 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 26,000 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 (3×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 27°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 8.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,635,342 recreation visits, up 0.9% from 1,620,006 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 18.2%, 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 | 37°F / 26°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 40 Poor |
| December | 33°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 35°F / 24°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
All twelve months at Mount Rainier, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Mount Rainier 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.
- Ohanapecosh Campground (campground): closed until December 1, 2026
- Paradise Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Sunrise Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 15, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 16, 2026 to June 16, 2027)
- White River Campground (campground): closed all month (September 21, 2026 to June 20, 2027)
- Cougar Rock Campground (campground): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to May 23, 2027)
- Longmire Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to May 2, 2027)
- Ohanapecosh Campground (campground): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to June 13, 2027)
- White River Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
Things to do at Mount Rainier in December
The National Park Service tags 13 Mount Rainier activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Enjoy a Winter Wonderland at Paradise · 2-6 hours
- Explore Longmire in Winter · 2-4 hours
- Northeast Area: Remote Winter Recreation
- Beginner's Guide to Snowshoeing · 1-6 hours
- A Day In Longmire · 2-8 hours
- Complete a Mount Rainier Junior Ranger Booklet · 30-60 minutes
- Hike Nisqually Vista Trail · 45-60 minutes
- Longmire Historic District Walking Tour · 60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Mount Rainier National Park, with about 18.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Mount Rainier National Park (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 26,000 recreation visits at Mount Rainier National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Mount Rainier in December
Booking a December trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mount Rainier
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.