Pennsylvania Avenue in December
December at Pennsylvania Avenue averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 32°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 32°F
- Average high
- 49°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 9.3 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 9,200 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1986 to 2025.
That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 41°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 36% 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 9.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 141,840 recreation visits, up 2.7% from 138,108 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 38.8%, 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 | 58°F / 39°F | 0.7× Quiet | 53 Fair |
| December | 49°F / 32°F | 0.5× Quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 45°F / 28°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Pennsylvania Avenue, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 49°F and an overnight low around 32°F at Pennsylvania Avenue, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Pennsylvania Avenue (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 9,000 recreation visits at Pennsylvania Avenue, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1986–2025.
Where to stay near Pennsylvania Avenue in December
Booking a December trip to Pennsylvania Avenue? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Pennsylvania Avenue
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 Pennsylvania Avenue in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Pennsylvania Avenue by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1986–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.