Early winter · Weather & things to do
Badlands National Park in December
This is the coldest month in Badlands National Park: highs average 36°F (2°C) and lows 19°F (-7°C), with about 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 49/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 36°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.4 in (11 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 36°F (2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 19°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 8 h 44 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and September & October.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 44 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 63/100 in November to 49/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Badlands National Park in December
With highs near 36°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Notch Trail
1.5-mile trail with a log ladder climb to a ledge over the White River Valley.
Pinnacles Overlook
Wide view across spires and layered buttes at the park's west end.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Cold War missile site with a visitor center and the Delta-09 silo viewing window.
Badlands Loop Road
SD Highway 240 through the park, with overlooks every few miles.
Wall Drug
Sprawling roadside stop since 1931 with 5-cent coffee, donuts and free ice water.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 36°F.
Nearby in December
- Black Hills in December~64 mi · highs 30°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Medora in December~219 mi · highs 30°F, 0.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~297 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 7°C (12°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Badlands National Park in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Badlands National Park?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 49/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and September & October. Expect highs of 36°F (2°C) and 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Badlands National Park in December?
Average highs are 36°F (2°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Badlands National Park in December?
Not much: about 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 16.9 in (429 mm).
What should I pack for Badlands National Park in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Badlands National Park
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