Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River in December
December at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 21°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 21°F
- Average high
- 38°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- 9.0 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 4,400 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Upper Delaware; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.9× the average.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 59% 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 380,245 recreation visits, up 0.8% from 377,061 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 34.9%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 49°F / 29°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 38°F / 21°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| January | 33°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Upper Delaware, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Upper Delaware in December
The National Park Service tags 15 Upper Delaware activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Winter Eagle Watching at the Lackawaxen River Access
- Easy: Paddle from Buckingham to Long Eddy · 3-5 hours
- Exciting: Paddle from Lackawaxen to Sparrowbush · 8-10 hours
- Float from Damascus to Skinners Falls · 1-2 hours
- Float from Mongaup to Sparrowbush · 1-2 hours
- Hike the Cobey Pond Trail · 1-2 hours
- Hike the Damascus Forest Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Moderate: Paddle from Ten Mile River to Lackawaxen · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 21°F at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 19% of the visits Upper Delaware sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 4,000 recreation visits at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980–2025.
Where to stay near Upper Delaware in December
Booking a December trip to Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Upper Delaware
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1980–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.