Badlands · December
Badlands in December
December is one of the best times to visit Badlands — about as busy as November, about as busy as January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 39°F, about 8.9 hours of daylight, and 1 seasonal closure in effect.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 5% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical December visits vs. the year
December draws about 1% of Badlands’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
December weather
- Avg high
- 39°F
- Avg low
- 11°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5"
- Sunrise
- 7:16 AM
- Sunset
- 4:13 PM
- Daylight
- 8.9h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PORCUPINE 11 N, SD US
What's open
Badlands in December: access
The park is open to visitors all year with the exception of weather closures.
Seasonal closures may apply:
- Park Closure
Notch Trail Closure for Repairs
Notch Trail and all areas within 100’ of the designated trail closed while park staff are repairing the section of the Notch trail ladder that has become a safety hazard for hikers.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Caution
Navigation
Do not rely on GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Badlands National Park. Please note that the Visitor Center at 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior SD 57750 is located just off I-90.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Badlands crowds across the year
FAQ
Badlands in December
How busy is Badlands in December?
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Badlands National Park — about 5% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 12,782.
What is the weather like at Badlands in December?
In December, Badlands averages a high of 39°F and a low of 11°F, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Badlands?
Entrance to Badlands costs $30 (Fee covers the entry of a private vehicle and its occupants for 7 days).
When is Badlands least crowded?
Badlands is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
How many hours of daylight does Badlands get in December?
In mid-December, Badlands gets about 8.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:16 AM and sunset around 4:13 PM.