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North Cascades National Park in December

Very quiet0.0× average month · best-time score 0/100

December at North Cascades National Park averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 11.6" of precipitation and roughly 16" of snow. Visitation runs about 0× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
30°F
Average high
38°F

Range across the year: 30°F to 79°F

Crowds
0.0× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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  12. D
Precipitation
11.6 in
Snowfall
16 in
Daylight
8.1 hours

Check access before you plan around December

December draws about 1% of the visits North Cascades sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December. Official North Cascades park page.

Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 30 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.6×) and the January low (0×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 70% 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 8.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 46,925 recreation visits, up 184.7% from 16,485 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 38.2%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November45°F / 35°F0.0× Very quiet2 Poor
December38°F / 30°F0.0× Very quiet0 Poor
January39°F / 30°F0.0× Very quiet1 Poor

All twelve months at North Cascades, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in December 2026

The National Park Service lists these North Cascades 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.

Things to do at North Cascades in December

The National Park Service tags 3 North Cascades activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

December averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 30°F at North Cascades National Park, with about 11.6 inches of precipitation and roughly 16 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at North Cascades National Park (about 0.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 1% of the visits North Cascades sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.0× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at North Cascades National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near North Cascades in December

Booking a December trip to North Cascades National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near North Cascades

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 North Cascades in December?

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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.