Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in December
December at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 41°F, with about 1.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 41°F
- Average high
- 70°F
Range across the year: 41°F to 104°F
- Precipitation
- 1.1 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 17,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.8×) and the July low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 58/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 55°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 15% 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 9.9 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 174,623 recreation visits, down 4.4% from 182,612 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 28.3%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 79°F / 48°F | 0.9× Average | 71 Good |
| December | 70°F / 41°F | 1.0× Average | 58 Fair |
| January | 71°F / 41°F | 1.5× Busy | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Organ Pipe Cactus, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Organ Pipe Cactus in December
The National Park Service tags 16 Organ Pipe Cactus activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike the Estes Canyon/Bull Pasture Loop · 1-3 hours
- Become a Desert Ranger · 30-120 minutes
- Birding at Organ Pipe
- Drive the Ajo Mountain Loop · 2-5 hours
- Hike the Historic Old County Road! · 3-5 hours · reservation required
- Hike to Lost Cabin · 4-5 hours
- See Endangered Pupfish Along the Visitor Center Nature Trail · 15-30 minutes
- Stretch Your Legs on the Campground Perimeter Trail · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 41°F at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, with about 1.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is average at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is July. December sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 17,000 recreation visits at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Organ Pipe Cactus in December
Booking a December trip to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Organ Pipe Cactus
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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.