Bryce Canyon in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 58/100 · #12 of 12 months
December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Bryce Canyon National Park: crowds run 17% of the June peak (55,431 average visits), days average 37°F with 9.6 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in December
Bryce Canyon averages 55,431 recreation visits in December — 17% of what June, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — this is genuine quiet-season territory.
Weather & daylight
It is properly cold (highs average 37°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 17°F). It is typically dry (1.3″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 15″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 9.6 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station BRYCE CANYON NP HQRS, UT US (0 mi from park coordinates, 7,890 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.
What to pack for Bryce Canyon in December
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 17°F
- Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 15″ normal snowfall
- Headlamp — only 9.6 hours of daylight in mid-December
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Bryce Canyon are March and April.
Also at their best in December
Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- American Samoa in December — 17% of peak crowds, highs 88°F, score 66/100
- Everglades in December — 72% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 64/100
- Biscayne in December — 77% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 62/100
Common questions
Is Bryce Canyon crowded in December?
No — December is one of the quieter months: 17% of the June peak, averaging 55,431 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Bryce Canyon in December?
Average highs of 37°F, lows of 17°F, 1.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, BRYCE CANYON NP HQRS, UT US station).
What should I pack for Bryce Canyon in December?
Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-12