Tonto National Monument in December
December at Tonto National Monument averages a daytime high near 60°F and an overnight low around 40°F, with about 2.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 60°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 104°F
- Precipitation
- 2.1 in
- Daylight
- 9.8 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 2,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (2.5×) and the August low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 57/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 50°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 11% 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 9.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 30,840 recreation visits, down 1.2% from 31,216 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 13.9%, 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 | 71°F / 48°F | 1.0× Average | 66 Good |
| December | 60°F / 40°F | 0.8× Quiet | 57 Fair |
| January | 61°F / 40°F | 1.3× Busy | 49 Fair |
All twelve months at Tonto, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 60°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Tonto National Monument, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Tonto National Monument (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 57/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is August. December sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Tonto National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Tonto in December
Booking a December trip to Tonto National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Tonto
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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.