Yosemite National Park in December
December at Yosemite National Park averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 28°F, with about 5.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.5× 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: 28°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 5.6 in
- Daylight
- 9.4 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 163,000 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 (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
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 7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 42% 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 9.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,278,413 recreation visits, up 3.8% from 4,121,807 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.3%, 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 | 56°F / 33°F | 0.6× Quiet | 48 Fair |
| December | 46°F / 28°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 48°F / 29°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
All twelve months at Yosemite, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Yosemite 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.
- Bridalveil Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (August 14, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Bridalveil Creek Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Yosemite Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to July 1, 2027)
- White Wolf Campground (campground): closed all month (September 14, 2026 to July 2, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (September 27, 2026 to July 15, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Campground (campground): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to July 1, 2027)
- Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 29, 2026 to June 5, 2027)
- Crane Flat Campground (campground): closed all month (October 11, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Porcupine Flat Campground (campground): closed all month (October 11, 2026 to June 23, 2027)
- Wawona Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to May 1, 2027)
- Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio (visitor center): closed all month (October 12, 2026 to April 18, 2027)
- Tamarack Flat Campground (campground): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to June 22, 2027)
- Lower Pines Campground (campground): closed all month (October 19, 2026 to April 21, 2027)
- Big Oak Flat Information Station (visitor center): closed all month (October 26, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
1 more facilities are listed as closed in December.
Things to do at Yosemite in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Yosemite activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Go Skiing at Badger Pass
- Become a Yosemite Junior Ranger
- Visit the Yosemite Cemetery · 10-60 minutes
- Visit the Yosemite Museum · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 28°F at Yosemite National Park, with about 5.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Yosemite National Park (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is May.
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 163,000 recreation visits at Yosemite National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Yosemite in December
Booking a December trip to Yosemite National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Yosemite
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.