Loading park…
Guadalupe Mountains · December
December is a busy time to visit Guadalupe Mountains — busier than November, busier than January.
Expect heavy crowds (7/10), highs near 54°F, about 10.1 hours of daylight, and 1 seasonal closure in effect.
Crowd score
Approaching peak season — expect full lots by mid-morning and busy overlooks.
About 66% 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 11% of Guadalupe Mountains’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, PINE SPRINGS, TX US
What's open
The Pine Springs area, including the campground, visitor center, trailhead, and associated parking areas are open and accessible all of the time during normal operations. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.
Seasonal closures may apply:
The Williams Ranch Road is currently impassable and closed to public access due to unsafe conditions.
Details on nps.gov →Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
The hike to Devil's Hall is rated as strenuous. The portion of the route in the wash requires rock scrambling and is dangerous when wet or if water is present. The wash surface is loose gravel and rocks and may be unstable.
Details on nps.gov →The Williams Ranch Road is currently impassable and closed to public access due to unsafe conditions.
Details on nps.gov →Starting August 14th, 2025 the park store will go cashless. All major credit cards, debit cards and mobile electronic payments will be accepted.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Alternatives
FAQ
December rates 7/10 for crowds (Busy) at Guadalupe Mountains National Park — about 66% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 23,894.
In December, Guadalupe Mountains averages a high of 54°F and a low of 33°F, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Guadalupe Mountains costs $10 (An entrance fee of $10 per person (16 years of age and older) is required; entrance fees/passes permit 1-7 consecutive days of use in this national park. Holders of the Annual, Senior, Military, 4th grade and Access Pass can bring in 3 adults free of charge under their pass. Any pass must be displayed in a vehicle while in the national park.).
Guadalupe Mountains is quietest in August and January. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-December, Guadalupe Mountains gets about 10.1 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 6:52 AM and sunset around 4:57 PM.