Wind Cave in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 61/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Wind Cave National Park: crowds run 10% of the July peak (12,544 average visits), days average 39°F with 9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Wind Cave averages 12,544 recreation visits in December — 10% of what July, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — this is genuine quiet-season territory.

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 39°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 15°F). It is typically dry (0.5″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 8″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station WIND CAVE, SD US (0 mi from park coordinates, 4,155 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Wind Cave in December

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

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 15°F
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 8″ normal snowfall
• Headlamp — only 9 hours of daylight in mid-December
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Wind Cave are March and April.

Common questions

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