Acadia in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 55/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Acadia National Park: crowds run 2% of the August peak (15,739 average visits), days average 38°F with 8.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Acadia averages 15,739 recreation visits in December — 2% of what August, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — this is genuine quiet-season territory.

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 38°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 22°F). This is one of the wetter months (5.7″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ACADIA NP, ME US (2 mi from park coordinates, 470 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Acadia in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 22°F, below freezing
• Rain shell + pack cover — 5.7″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 8.9 hours of daylight in mid-December
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Acadia are March and April.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-07-16