Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in December
December at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 28°F, with about 3.4" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 28°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 23°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 3.4 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 9.3 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 7,200 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.1×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 44/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 37°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 73% 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, 2025 drew 437,413 recreation visits, down 2.3% from 447,863 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 24.6%, 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 | 56°F / 35°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 18 Poor |
| December | 46°F / 28°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| January | 42°F / 23°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts facilities as closed during December 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Ranger Station (visitor center): closed from December 14, 2026 to May 20, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 28°F at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, with about 3.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. December sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 7,000 recreation visits at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in December
Booking a December trip to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
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Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.