Badlands in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 60/100 · #10 of 12 months

December is a quiet month with trade-offs at Badlands National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (10,544 average visits). Weather: highs average 37°F and lows 12°F, with 0.3″ of precipitation and 8.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Planning Badlands? Pack a guidebook: Moon South Dakota's Black Hills (with Badlands) on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases

Crowds in December

Badlands averages 10,544 recreation visits in December — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 37°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 12°F). It is typically dry (0.3″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 6″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station WASTA, SD US (22 mi from park coordinates, 2,328 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Badlands in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 12°F
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 6″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
• Headlamp — only 8.9 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
• Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 6″ of snow is normal this month

As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.

Packing for a trip with a date on it? Amazon Prime includes fast delivery on eligible items, and eligible new members may be offered a free trial, so gear ordered this week can arrive before you leave. Delivery speed varies by item and address. See if you can try Prime free →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.

If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Badlands are April and May.

Also at their best in December

Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• American Samoa in December — 17% of peak crowds, highs 88°F, score 66/100
• Everglades in December — 72% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 64/100
• Biscayne in December — 77% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 62/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-24