Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve in December
December at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 13" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 13.0 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 8.9 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 1,500 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 (2.4×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 40°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 53% 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 8.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 64,354 recreation visits, down 31.5% from 94,016 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 55°F / 36°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 47°F / 33°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| January | 49°F / 33°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Oregon Caves, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Oregon Caves 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.
- Oregon Caves Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (November 7, 2026 to March 20, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, with about 13 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Oregon Caves in December
Booking a December trip to Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Oregon Caves
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.