Grand Teton in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 45/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a harsh-season month at Grand Teton National Park: crowds run 7% of the July peak (49,334 average visits). Weather: highs average 24°F and lows 4°F, with 3.1″ of precipitation and 8.9 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Grand Teton in December

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 4°F.
Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 3.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaitersSee it on AmazonWhy: 40″ normal snowfall.

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Partial access: Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles roughly November–April (it becomes a ski/snowshoe route); US-26/89/191 through the park stays open. Current NPS conditions →

Granite mountains with a cloudy blue sky and green and yellow trees and plants in the foreground — Grand Teton National Park — photo: NPS Photo/Tobiason (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Grand Teton averages 49,334 recreation visits in December — 7% 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.

Average visits (December)

49,334 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

1.4% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 24°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 4°F). Average precipitation is 3.1″ for the month. Normal snowfall is 40″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station MORAN 5WNW, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 6,805 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Grand Teton in December

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 4°F
Packable rain jacket — 3.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 40″ 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 — 40″ of snow is normal this month
Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Grand Teton 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

Is Grand Teton crowded in December?

No — December is one of the quieter months: 7% of the July peak, averaging 49,334 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).

What is the weather like in Grand Teton in December?

Average highs of 24°F, lows of 4°F, 3.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, MORAN 5WNW, WY US station).

What should I pack for Grand Teton in December?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — the full weather-computed list is on this page.

Is everything open at Grand Teton in December?

Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles roughly November–April (it becomes a ski/snowshoe route); US-26/89/191 through the park stays open. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.

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