Wupatki National Monument in December
December at Wupatki National Monument averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 25°F, with about 0.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 25°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 25°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 0.6 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 8,200 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 (1.5×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 45/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 36°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 36% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 220,205 recreation visits, up 2.1% from 215,703 in 2023.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 58°F / 34°F | 0.7× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| December | 46°F / 25°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 48°F / 26°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Wupatki, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Wupatki in December
The National Park Service tags 8 Wupatki activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Antelope House Ranger-Led Hike · reservation required
- East Mesa Ranger-Led Hike · 2-4 hours · reservation required
- Kaibab House Ranger-Led Hike · 3-5 hours · reservation required
- Become a Junior Ranger at Wupatki · 30 minutes
- Visit Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos · 5-20 minutes
- Visit Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos · 10-30 minutes
- Visit Wukoki Pueblo · 5-15 minutes
- Visit Wupatki Pueblo · 5-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 25°F at Wupatki National Monument, with about 0.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Wupatki National Monument (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 45/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 8,000 recreation visits at Wupatki National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Wupatki in December
Booking a December trip to Wupatki National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Wupatki
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 (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.