Early winter · Weather & things to do
Bryce Canyon in December
This is the coldest month in Bryce Canyon: highs average 33°F (0°C) and lows 14°F (-10°C), with about 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 53/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 33°F (0°C)
- Avg low
- 14°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.8 in (21 mm)
- Humidity
- 61%
- Cloud cover
- 52%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 25 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 33°F (0°C).
Average lows of 14°F (-10°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 25 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 25 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 62/100 in November to 53/100.
- Our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 14°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Bryce Canyon in December
With highs near 33°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Ebenezer's Barn & Grill
Cowboy dinner and live country-music show across from Ruby's Inn.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 33°F.
Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant
Roadside restaurant known for homemade fruit pies.
Rainbow Point
End of the 18-mile scenic drive at 9,100 ft, with the short Bristlecone Loop.
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Program
Ranger-led night sky talks and telescope viewing in one of the darkest parks in the US.
Bryce Point
Southern end of the amphitheater with the widest panorama of the hoodoos.
Fairyland Loop Trail
8-mile loop through quieter hoodoos and Tower Bridge, fewer crowds than the main trails.
Nearby in December
- Zion in December~50 mi · highs 41°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in December~70 mi · highs 42°F, 0.8 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Grand Canyon in December~103 mi · highs 52°F, 1.1 in rain · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Canyonlands in December~136 mi · highs 40°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,993 m to Bryce Canyon's ~2,496 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bryce Canyon in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Bryce Canyon?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 53/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 33°F (0°C) and 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain or snow. Our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Bryce Canyon in December?
Average highs are 33°F (0°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 Bryce Canyon in December?
Not much: about 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 10.4 in (263 mm).
What should I pack for Bryce Canyon in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 14°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Bryce Canyon
Planning Bryce Canyon 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.