Grand Canyon National Park in December
Grand Canyon National Park · crowd + weather almanac
December crowd level
moderate
about 307,000 visits in a
typical December
The 10th-busiest month of the year ·
median of 2016–2025 official NPS counts
December is the 10th-busiest month of the year at Grand Canyon National Park: about 307,000 recreation visits in a typical December (6% of the year's traffic, and 55% of what the peak month, July, sees). Crowds are middling — noticeably lighter than peak season. Weather-wise, December days at the Grand Canyon Np 2, AZ station typically top out around 43°F with nights near 18°F, and about 1.2 inches of precipitation falls over the month. The station's long-term normal includes about 8 inches of December snowfall.
- Typical December: 307,360 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 245,830 (2020) to 369,041 (2018).
- Busier than 2 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 December normals at Grand Canyon Np 2, AZ: high 43°F, low 18°F, 1.25 in precipitation, 8.0 in snow.
- Similar daytime temperatures, thinner crowds: January typically runs 44°F days with about 38% fewer visits (190,000 vs 307,000).
December weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 43°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 18°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 1.25 in |
| Snowfall (monthly normal) | 8.0 in |
| Measured at | Grand Canyon Np 2, AZ (USC00023596), 0.6 mi from the park reference point, elev. 6,785 ft |
Every month at Grand Canyon
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 190,482 | quiet | 44°F / 19°F | 1.8 in |
| February | 209,992 | moderate | 46°F / 21°F | 1.2 in |
| March | 397,146 | busy | 54°F / 25°F | 1.9 in |
| April | 464,113 | busy | 61°F / 29°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 530,106 | busiest stretch | 70°F / 36°F | 0.4 in |
| June | 524,384 | busiest stretch | 82°F / 43°F | 0.2 in |
| July | 557,043 | busiest stretch | 85°F / 50°F | 2.3 in |
| August | 515,351 | busiest stretch | 82°F / 50°F | 2.2 in |
| September | 469,445 | busy | 76°F / 44°F | 1.5 in |
| October | 464,701 | busy | 65°F / 33°F | 1.2 in |
| November | 334,073 | busy | 53°F / 25°F | 0.8 in |
| December | 307,360 | moderate | 43°F / 18°F | 1.2 in |