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Acadia · December
December is one of the best times to visit Acadia — quieter than November, about as busy as January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 37°F, about 8.9 hours of daylight, and 1 seasonal closure in effect.
Crowd score
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 9% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
December draws about 2% of Acadia’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Bar Harbor
What's open
Open 24 hours; Park Loop Road closed Dec 1 to mid-Apr; Cadillac reservations in season
Seasonal closures may apply:
Effective March 1, areas including Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail are closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. The parking lot for the Precipice Trail is also closed. Rangers strictly enforce closures.
Details on nps.gov →Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Effective March 1, areas including Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail are closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. The parking lot for the Precipice Trail is also closed. Rangers strictly enforce closures.
Details on nps.gov →Source: NPS Data API
Context
FAQ
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Acadia National Park — about 9% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 68,265.
In December, Acadia averages a high of 37°F and a low of 22°F, with about 5.0 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Acadia costs $35 ($35 per private vehicle, valid 7 days).
Acadia is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-December, Acadia gets about 8.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:02 AM and sunset around 3:54 PM.