Early winter · Weather & things to do
Eureka Springs in December
Eureka Springs cools off: highs slip to 46°F (8°C), from 57°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 56/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.8 in (70 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 32 min
- Comfort score
- 56/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 46°F (8°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 2.8 in (70 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 32 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 77/100 in November to 56/100.
- Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.8 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Eureka Springs in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Thorncrown Chapel
Fay Jones's glass-and-timber chapel set in the forest.
Eureka Springs Historical Museum
Town history from Victorian spa days in an 1889 stone building.
Local Flavor Cafe
Main Street café with a balcony over the street, good for brunch.
Gotahold Brewing
Craft brewery with a wooded beer garden and live music.
Mud Street Cafe
Below-street-level café in an old building, known for breakfasts and coffee.
Nearby in December
- Branson in December~33 mi · highs 47°F, 3.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in December~61 mi · highs 44°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Tulsa in December~127 mi · highs 49°F, 2.0 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
- Kansas City in December~192 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
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.
Eureka Springs in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Eureka Springs?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 56/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain or snow. Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Eureka Springs in December?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Eureka Springs in December?
Some: about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 46.1 in (1172 mm).
What should I pack for Eureka Springs in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.8 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Eureka Springs
Planning Eureka Springs in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.