Padre Island National Seashore in December
December at Padre Island National Seashore averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 47°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 47°F
- Average high
- 70°F
Range across the year: 45°F to 96°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Daylight
- 10.3 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 27,000 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 Padre Island; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.7× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
December is our recommended month at Padre Island: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 59°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 23.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 10.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 573,255 recreation visits, up 11.4% from 514,722 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 9.9%, 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 | 77°F / 54°F | 0.6× Quiet | 83 Excellent |
| December | 70°F / 47°F | 0.6× Quiet | 76 Excellent |
| January | 69°F / 45°F | 0.7× Quiet | 71 Good |
All twelve months at Padre Island, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 70°F and an overnight low around 47°F at Padre Island National Seashore, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 23.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Padre Island National Seashore (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 76/100. December is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 27,000 recreation visits at Padre Island National Seashore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Padre Island in December
Booking a December trip to Padre Island National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Padre Island
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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.