Big Bend in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 66/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Big Bend National Park: crowds run 63% of the March peak (58,354 average visits), days average 59°F with 10.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Big Bend averages 58,354 recreation visits in December — 63% of what March, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.

Weather & daylight

Daytime stays cool (highs average 59°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 39°F). It is typically dry (0.5″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CHISOS BASIN, TX US (3 mi from park coordinates, 5,300 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Big Bend in December

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

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 39°F
• Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-December
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Big Bend are June and August.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-07-16