Glacier · December
Glacier in December
December is one of the best times to visit Glacier — about as busy as November, about as busy as January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 29°F, about 8.3 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 3% 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 Glacier’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
- 29°F
- Avg low
- 20°F
- Precipitation
- 3.2"
- Sunrise
- 7:21 AM
- Sunset
- 3:39 PM
- Daylight
- 8.3h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, W GLACIER, MT US
What's open
Glacier in December: access
Glacier National Park is open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. An entrance fee is required, even when entrance stations are not staffed. Instructions are available at each entrance for self-payment.
Seasonal closures may apply:
- Park Closure
Going-to-the-Sun Road Partial Closure
Going-to-the-Sun Road is now open on the east side from St. Mary to Logan Pass. It remains closed between Avalanche and Logan Pass.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No additional active alerts or warnings reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Glacier crowds across the year
FAQ
Glacier in December
How busy is Glacier in December?
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Glacier National Park — about 3% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 20,493.
What is the weather like at Glacier in December?
In December, Glacier averages a high of 29°F and a low of 20°F, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Glacier?
Entrance to Glacier costs $35 ((Winter Rate - $25.00, November 1 to April 30) This is an entrance fee for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van). The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable. Visitors can enter the park at any time, if the entrance station is not staffed, a self-registration area is available for purchasing a 7-day park pass.).
When is Glacier least crowded?
Glacier 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 Glacier get in December?
In mid-December, Glacier gets about 8.3 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:21 AM and sunset around 3:39 PM.