Olympic in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 51/100 · #12 of 12 months
December is a quiet month with trade-offs at Olympic National Park: crowds run 16% of the August peak (99,558 average visits). Weather: highs average 44°F and lows 35°F, with 20.8″ of precipitation and 8.4 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Olympic in December
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 35°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 20.8″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 8.4 hours of daylight in mid-December.
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Crowds in December
Olympic averages 99,558 recreation visits in December — 16% of what August, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
It is properly cold (highs average 44°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 35°F). This is one of the wetter months (20.8″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 8.4 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US (13 mi from park coordinates, 286 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.
What to pack for Olympic in December
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 35°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 20.8″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 8.4 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 20.8″ of rain is normal this month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Olympic 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 Olympic crowded in December?
No — December is one of the quieter months: 16% of the August peak, averaging 99,558 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Olympic in December?
Average highs of 44°F, lows of 35°F, 20.8″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, QUINAULT 4 NE, WA US station).
What should I pack for Olympic in December?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-24