Petrified Forest in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 59/100 · #10 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Petrified Forest National Park: crowds run 46% of the June peak (29,406 average visits), days average 47°F with 9.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Petrified Forest averages 29,406 recreation visits in December — 46% of what June, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.

Weather & daylight

Daytime stays cool (highs average 47°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 22°F). It is typically dry (0.8″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US (2 mi from park coordinates, 5,760 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Petrified Forest 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
• Headlamp — only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-December
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Petrified Forest are February and April.

Common questions

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