Wind Cave National Park in December
December at Wind Cave National Park averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation and roughly 8" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 15°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Snowfall
- 8 in
- Daylight
- 8.8 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 12,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.5×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 27°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 55% 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 8.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 606,258 recreation visits, up 23.9% from 489,399 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 48°F / 23°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| December | 39°F / 15°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 40°F / 15°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Wind Cave, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Wind Cave in December
The National Park Service tags 11 Wind Cave activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Backcountry Camping at Wind Cave
- Become a Wind Cave Junior Ranger · 20-45 minutes
- Bird Watching in Wind Cave · 15-60 minutes
- Horseback Riding in Wind Cave
- Pet Friendly Hikes · 30-60 minutes
- See Prairie Dogs in Their Prairie Dog Towns
- Visit Wind Cave's Natural Entrance · 10-20 minutes
- Watch Wind Cave Wildlife
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Wind Cave National Park, 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 2.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Wind Cave National Park (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 12,000 recreation visits at Wind Cave National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Wind Cave in December
Booking a December trip to Wind Cave National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Wind Cave
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 Wind Cave in December?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Wind Cave 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.