Badlands in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 60/100 · #10 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Badlands National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (10,544 average visits), days average 37°F with 8.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Badlands averages 10,544 recreation visits in December — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — this is genuine quiet-season territory.

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 37°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 12°F). It is typically dry (0.3″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 6″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station WASTA, SD US (22 mi from park coordinates, 2,328 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Badlands in December

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

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 12°F
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 6″ normal snowfall
• 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 Badlands are April and May.

Common questions

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