Pecos National Historical Park in December
December at Pecos National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 18°F, with about 1" of precipitation and roughly 7" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 18°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 18°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 1.0 in
- Snowfall
- 7 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 2,300 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 (1.4×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 31/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is August: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 32°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 46,726 recreation visits, down 7.9% from 50,709 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 25.4%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 55°F / 25°F | 0.8× Quiet | 33 Poor |
| December | 47°F / 18°F | 0.7× Quiet | 31 Poor |
| January | 47°F / 18°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Pecos, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Pecos in December
The National Park Service tags 3 Pecos activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hiking Glorieta Pass Battlefield · 90-150 minutes
- Hiking the Ancestral Sites Trail · 40-90 minutes
- Walking the South Pasture Loop · 90-150 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 18°F at Pecos National Historical Park, with about 1 inches of precipitation and roughly 7 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Pecos National Historical Park (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 31/100. Our recommended month is August.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Pecos National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Pecos in December
Booking a December trip to Pecos National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Pecos
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Pecos 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.