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Katmai · December

Katmai in December

December is one of the best times to visit Katmai — about as busy as November, about as busy as January.

Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 27°F, and about 6.3 hours of daylight.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

1/10
Quiet

Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.

About 0% of this park's busiest month.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →

Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe

Visitation

Typical December visits vs. the year

December (typical)11
Peak — July13,671
Quietest — January7

December draws about 0% of Katmai’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
27°F
Avg low
12°F
Precipitation
2.1"
Sunrise
9:05 AM
Sunset
3:25 PM
Daylight
6.3h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, KING SALMON 42 SE, AK US

What's open

Katmai in December: access

Katmai is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

No current alerts or closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Katmai crowds across the year

January: 1/10 crowdJanFebruary: 1/10 crowdFebMarch: 1/10 crowdMarApril: 1/10 crowdAprMay: 1/10 crowdMayJune: 4/10 crowdJunJuly: 10/10 crowdJulAugust: 8/10 crowdAugSeptember: 5/10 crowdSepOctober: 1/10 crowdOctNovember: 1/10 crowdNovDecember: 1/10 crowd1Dec

FAQ

Katmai in December

How busy is Katmai in December?

December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Katmai National Park & Preserve — about 0% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 11.

What is the weather like at Katmai in December?

In December, Katmai averages a high of 27°F and a low of 12°F, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Katmai?

Entry to Katmai is free.

When is Katmai least crowded?

Katmai 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 Katmai get in December?

In mid-December, Katmai gets about 6.3 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 9:05 AM and sunset around 3:25 PM.