How Crowded Is Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River in December?

December runs about 1.9× Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River's average month, which makes it a very busy month here — roughly 16% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees about 160 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1985 to 2025.

That makes December the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (2.6×) and the August low (0.2×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 39/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated September at 80/100 — pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 38°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation.

That average of about 50°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day.

Because June, July and August together draw about 13% 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 10.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2013 drew 703 recreation visits, down 25.8% from 947 in 2009.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 37.1%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.