How Crowded Is Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in December?

December runs about 0.3× Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees about 150 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2010 to 2025.

That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.2×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 43/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated September at 58/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 16°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation.

That average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

Because June, July and August together draw about 38% 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, 2024 drew 6,401 recreation visits, up 9.3% from 5,855 in 2023.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 11.4%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.