Channel Islands in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 71/100 · #5 of 12 months
December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Channel Islands National Park: crowds run 46% of the July peak (16,622 average visits), days average 66°F with 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in December
Channel Islands averages 16,622 recreation visits in December — 46% of what July, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Days are pleasant (highs average 66°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 44°F). It is typically dry (1.7″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.9 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station POINT MUGU NF, CA US (43 mi from park coordinates, 13 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.
What to pack for Channel Islands in December
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 44°F
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-December
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Channel Islands are January and March.
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
Is Channel Islands crowded in December?
Moderately: December runs 46% of the July peak, averaging 16,622 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Channel Islands in December?
Average highs of 66°F, lows of 44°F, 1.7″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, POINT MUGU NF, CA US station).
What should I pack for Channel Islands in December?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-12