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Lake Clark · December

Lake Clark in December

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

Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 27°F, and about 5.7 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)0
Peak — July6,421
Quietest — January0

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
15°F
Precipitation
1.0"
Sunrise
9:17 AM
Sunset
3:01 PM
Daylight
5.7h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PORT ALSWORTH, AK US

What's open

Lake Clark in December: access

The park and preserve are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week year round. However, visitor services are limited Labor Day through Memorial Day. Seasonal and temporary closures are listed by location on the Operating Hours & Seasons page.

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

Lake Clark crowds across the year

January: 1/10 crowdJanFebruary: 1/10 crowdFebMarch: 1/10 crowdMarApril: 1/10 crowdAprMay: 1/10 crowdMayJune: 8/10 crowdJunJuly: 10/10 crowdJulAugust: 9/10 crowdAugSeptember: 3/10 crowdSepOctober: 1/10 crowdOctNovember: 1/10 crowdNovDecember: 1/10 crowd1Dec

FAQ

Lake Clark in December

How busy is Lake Clark in December?

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

What is the weather like at Lake Clark in December?

In December, Lake Clark averages a high of 27°F and a low of 15°F, with about 1.0 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Lake Clark?

Entry to Lake Clark is free.

When is Lake Clark least crowded?

Lake Clark 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 Lake Clark get in December?

In mid-December, Lake Clark gets about 5.7 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 9:17 AM and sunset around 3:01 PM.