Rainbow Bridge National Monument in December
December at Rainbow Bridge National Monument averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 98°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 170 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the January low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 13/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 38°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 28.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 11,404 recreation visits, up 246.6% from 3,290 in 2021.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 61.9%, 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 | 57°F / 38°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 25 Poor |
| December | 45°F / 30°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 13 Poor |
| January | 46°F / 30°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 14 Poor |
All twelve months at Rainbow Bridge, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Rainbow Bridge National Monument, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 28.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Rainbow Bridge National Monument (about 0.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 13/100. Our recommended month is April. December draws about 3% of the visits Rainbow Bridge sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.0× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Rainbow Bridge National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Rainbow Bridge in December
Booking a December trip to Rainbow Bridge National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rainbow Bridge
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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.