Early winter · Weather & things to do
Black Hills in December
This is the coldest month in Black Hills: highs average 30°F (-1°C) and lows 14°F (-10°C), with about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 49/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 14°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.6 in (14 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 45 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 30°F (-1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 14°F (-10°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 45 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 45 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (51 → 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 14°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Black Hills in December
With highs near 30°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Needles Highway
14-mile road through granite spires and one-lane tunnels, including the Needles Eye.
Iron Mountain Road
Winding road with pigtail bridges and tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Four presidents carved in granite, with the Presidential Trail at the base.
Naughti Wines
Hill City tasting room on Hwy 385 pouring its own wines plus Sick-N-Twisted beers, with a patio and firepit.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Ongoing mountain carving honoring the Lakota leader, with the Indian Museum of North America.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Nearby in December
- Badlands National Park in December~64 mi · highs 36°F, 0.4 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Medora in December~217 mi · highs 30°F, 0.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~259 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Denver in December~287 mi · highs 44°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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.
Black Hills in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Black Hills?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 49/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Black Hills in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 14°F (-10°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Black Hills in December?
Not much: about 0.6 in (14 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 19.2 in (487 mm).
What should I pack for Black Hills in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 14°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Black Hills
Planning Black Hills in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.