Shenandoah National Park in December
Shenandoah National Park · crowd + weather almanac
December crowd level
quietest stretch
about 30,000 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 Shenandoah National Park: about 30,000 recreation visits in a typical December (2% of the year's traffic, and 10% of what the peak month, October, sees). This is the off-season — the park is at or near its quietest. Weather-wise, December days at the Luray 5 E, VA station typically top out around 47°F with nights near 28°F, and about 3.1 inches of precipitation falls over the month. The station's long-term normal includes about 3 inches of December snowfall.
- Typical December: 30,149 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 19,832 (2022) to 45,939 (2021).
- Busier than 2 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 December normals at Luray 5 E, VA: high 47°F, low 28°F, 3.10 in precipitation, 3.0 in snow.
- Similar daytime temperatures, thinner crowds: January typically runs 43°F days with about 27% fewer visits (22,000 vs 30,000).
December weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 47°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 28°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 3.10 in |
| Snowfall (monthly normal) | 3.0 in |
| Measured at | Luray 5 E, VA (USC00445096), 10.7 mi from the park reference point, elev. 1,400 ft |
Every month at Shenandoah
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22,021 | quietest stretch | 43°F / 23°F | 2.9 in |
| February | 27,535 | quietest stretch | 47°F / 26°F | 2.5 in |
| March | 56,506 | quiet | 55°F / 32°F | 3.6 in |
| April | 116,856 | moderate | 66°F / 41°F | 3.5 in |
| May | 144,056 | moderate | 74°F / 50°F | 4.2 in |
| June | 164,317 | moderate | 81°F / 58°F | 4.8 in |
| July | 190,762 | busy | 85°F / 62°F | 4.1 in |
| August | 181,146 | busy | 83°F / 61°F | 3.8 in |
| September | 154,634 | moderate | 78°F / 54°F | 5.4 in |
| October | 296,999 | busiest stretch | 67°F / 43°F | 3.2 in |
| November | 140,505 | moderate | 57°F / 34°F | 3.2 in |
| December | 30,149 | quietest stretch | 47°F / 28°F | 3.1 in |