Theodore Roosevelt in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 52/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is a harsh-season month at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: crowds run 1% of the July peak (1,983 average visits), days average 31°F with 8.5 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Theodore Roosevelt averages 1,983 recreation visits in December — 1% 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 31°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 7°F). It is typically dry (0.6″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 6″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.5 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station MEDORA, ND US (5 mi from park coordinates, 2,268 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Theodore Roosevelt in December

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

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 7°F
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 6″ normal snowfall
• Headlamp — only 8.5 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 Theodore Roosevelt are April and May.

Common questions

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