Looking for the best national parks to visit in December?
Since we live in the Southwest, December is the perfect time to explore nearby National Parks. Some parks in the US turn into winter wonderlands, while others are finally bearable with cooler temps. Minus the holidays, you also get to enjoy the parks with fewer crowds.
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Last Updated: November 10, 2022
Before we get into it, we want to remind everyone to explore the parks responsibly using the 7 Leave no Trace Principles. Have a plan, stay on established trails, carry out anything you carry in, leave what you find, minimize campfire impact, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others.
About the National Park by month Series
To put together this list, we’ve combined our personal experiences and tips we gathered from locals and cross-referenced them with the weather, accessibility, local forums, seasonal attractions like fall foliage or wildflowers, and special events happening in the area. We also considered any unique adventures only offered at certain times of the year to find the most optimal months to visit each National Park. Phew! that was a lot!
It took me a whole week of research, but since I’m a maximizer, it was worth having a year-round calendar of adventures (publishing that soon!). Also, check out our complete list of all the national parks and national park units that include soon-to-be national parks.
We also chose to leave out the hardest-to-access national parks in this series.
National Parks By Month – Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Is December a Good Time to Visit National Parks?
Yes! Though summer is the most popular time to travel, and fall usually has the perfect temps, certain national parks are ideal for visiting in December.
Plan on visiting more than two national parks this year? Pick up an America the Beautiful annual pass to save money (entrance fees to each park are, on average, $30-35 per vehicle). Plus, you are helping support the Parks that always need funding.
19 Best National Parks to Visit in December
To Escape the Cold
1. Biscayne National Park, Florida
9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033, map
Average Temperatures: 68°F / 62°F
Why Visit:…