Petrified Forest National Park in December
December at Petrified Forest National Park averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 0.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 0.8 in
- Daylight
- 9.7 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 30,000 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 June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 44/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 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 9.7 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 559,254 recreation visits, up 7.4% from 520,491 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 20.5%, 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 / 28°F | 0.6× Quiet | 54 Fair |
| December | 47°F / 22°F | 0.6× Quiet | 44 Poor |
| January | 48°F / 22°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Petrified Forest, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Petrified Forest in December
The National Park Service tags 15 Petrified Forest activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a BARK Ranger!
- Collect Your Cancellation Stamps · 2-10 minutes
- Explore at the Paleo Exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum · 30-60 minutes
- Go Geocaching · 60 minutes
- Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant Logs · 30-60 minutes
- Walk Crystal Forest Trail · 20-120 minutes
- Walk Puerco Pueblo Trail · 10-60 minutes
- Walk the Tawa Trail · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Petrified Forest National Park, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Petrified Forest National Park (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 30,000 recreation visits at Petrified Forest National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest in December
Booking a December trip to Petrified Forest National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Petrified Forest
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Petrified Forest 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.