Pinnacles National Park in December
December at Pinnacles National Park averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 3.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes December an average month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 62°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 96°F
- Precipitation
- 3.1 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 20,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.4×) and the September low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. 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 24% 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 9.5 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 343,208 recreation visits, down 3.1% from 354,076 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 63.9%, 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 | 70°F / 37°F | 0.9× Average | 57 Fair |
| December | 62°F / 33°F | 0.9× Average | 50 Fair |
| January | 63°F / 34°F | 0.8× Quiet | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Pinnacles, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Pinnacles in December
The National Park Service tags 24 Pinnacles activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Junior Ranger at Pinnacles National Park · 10-30 minutes
- Hike Bacon-Butterfield Ranch Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Hike Bench Trail to South Wilderness Trail · 3-4 hours
- Hike Condor Gulch Trail · 60-90 minutes
- Hike High Peaks to Bear Gulch Loop · 4-5 hours
- Hike Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop · 1-2 hours
- Hike Prewett Point Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Rock Climbing the East Side of Pinnacles National Park
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Pinnacles National Park, with about 3.1 inches of precipitation. 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 average at Pinnacles National Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is September. December sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 20,000 recreation visits at Pinnacles National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Pinnacles in December
Booking a December trip to Pinnacles National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Pinnacles
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.
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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.