Rock Creek Park in December
December at Rock Creek Park averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 47°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 9.3 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 110,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Rock Creek; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.5× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 49/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
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 3.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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, 2025 drew 1,865,048 recreation visits, down 2.7% from 1,917,170 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 18%, 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 | 56°F / 36°F | 0.8× Quiet | 52 Fair |
| December | 47°F / 30°F | 0.6× Quiet | 49 Fair |
| January | 43°F / 26°F | 0.7× Quiet | 38 Poor |
All twelve months at Rock Creek, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Rock Creek in December
The National Park Service tags 21 Rock Creek activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 47°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Rock Creek Park, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Rock Creek Park (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 110,000 recreation visits at Rock Creek Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Rock Creek in December
Booking a December trip to Rock Creek Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rock Creek
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 Rock Creek in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Rock Creek 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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.