Skip to main content
WhenToVisitParks

Scotts Bluff National Monument in December

Very quiet0.3× average month · best-time score 40/100

December at Scotts Bluff National Monument averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation and roughly 8" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
15°F
Average high
40°F

Range across the year: 15°F to 89°F

Crowds
0.3× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
0.5 in
Snowfall
8 in
Daylight
9.0 hours

Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 5,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.1×) and the January low (0.3×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 28°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 47% 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 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 182,392 recreation visits, down 0.8% from 183,915 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 17.7%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November51°F / 23°F0.4× Very quiet40 Poor
December40°F / 15°F0.3× Very quiet40 Poor
January41°F / 15°F0.3× Very quiet42 Poor

All twelve months at Scotts Bluff, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at Scotts Bluff in December

The National Park Service tags 9 Scotts Bluff activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

December averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Scotts Bluff National Monument, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation and roughly 8 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at Scotts Bluff National Monument (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is May.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Scotts Bluff National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Scotts Bluff in December

Booking a December trip to Scotts Bluff National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Scotts Bluff

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 Scotts Bluff in December?

Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Scotts Bluff by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

← NovemberAll months at Scotts BluffWhere to stay near Scotts BluffJanuary →

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.