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WhenToVisitParks

Olympic National Park in December

Very quiet0.3× average month · best-time score 40/100

December at Olympic National Park averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 9.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
33°F
Average high
41°F

Range across the year: 33°F to 75°F

Crowds
0.3× averageVery quiet
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Precipitation
9.9 in
Daylight
8.2 hours

Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 86,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Olympic; by contrast August, the busiest, runs about 2.6× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 37°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 50% 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 8.2 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,584,187 recreation visits, down 3.6% from 3,717,267 in 2024.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November46°F / 36°F0.5× Quiet41 Poor
December41°F / 33°F0.3× Very quiet40 Poor
January41°F / 33°F0.3× Very quiet41 Poor

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

Seasonal closures in December 2026

The National Park Service lists these Olympic 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 Olympic in December

The National Park Service tags 7 Olympic 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 41°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Olympic National Park, with about 9.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at Olympic National Park (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is May.

The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 86,000 recreation visits at Olympic National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Olympic in December

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

Top-rated places to stay near Olympic

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 Olympic in December?

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← NovemberAll months at OlympicWhere to stay near OlympicJanuary →

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.