Wrangell–St. Elias in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 42/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a harsh-season month at Wrangell–St. Elias National Park: crowds run under 1% of the July peak (35 average visits). Weather: highs average 9°F and lows -4°F, with 1.1″ of precipitation and 5.5 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 Wrangell–St. Elias in December

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of -4°F.
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaitersSee it on AmazonWhy: 11″ normal snowfall.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 5.5 hours of daylight in mid-December.

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Partial access: The McCarthy and Nabesna roads are unpaved and best attempted late May–September; most services close in winter. Current NPS conditions →

Glaciers loom over the ocean with large snowy mountains rising into blue skies — Wrangell–St. Elias National Park — photo: NPS Photo/ Neal Herbert (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Wrangell–St. Elias averages 35 recreation visits in December — under 1% of what July, the peak month, draws — the second-quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (December)

35 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

under 1% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 9°F), and nights are frigid (lows average -4°F). It is typically dry (1.1″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 11″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 5.5 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station MCCARTHY 3 SW, AK US (2 mi from park coordinates, 1,250 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Wrangell–St. Elias in December

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of -4°F
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 11″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
Headlamp — only 5.5 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 11″ 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 Wrangell–St. Elias 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 Wrangell–St. Elias crowded in December?

No — December is one of the quieter months: under 1% of the July peak, averaging 35 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).

What is the weather like in Wrangell–St. Elias in December?

Average highs of 9°F, lows of -4°F, 1.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, MCCARTHY 3 SW, AK US station).

What should I pack for Wrangell–St. Elias in December?

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

Is everything open at Wrangell–St. Elias in December?

The McCarthy and Nabesna roads are unpaved and best attempted late May–September; most services close in winter. 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