Early winter · Weather & things to do
Papago Park & Camelback in December
This is the coldest month in Papago Park & Camelback: highs average 65°F (18°C) and lows 41°F (5°C), with about 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain.
At 96/100 for comfort (5th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 65°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 1.2 in (31 mm)
- Humidity
- 45%
- Cloud cover
- 43%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 96/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs near 65°F (18°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 41°F (5°C), about 13°C (24°F) below the afternoon high.
Rain is moderate at about 1.2 in (31 mm) for the month.
Plan around December
December is one of Papago Park & Camelback's best months on the climate data.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 3.8 in (96 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 48 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 99/100 in November to 96/100.
- Our Phoenix New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 41°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Papago Park & Camelback in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Desert Botanical Garden
Garden of saguaros, agaves and desert wildflowers set against the Papago Buttes, with trails of under a mile each.
Why now December scores 96/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Hole-in-the-Rock
Sandstone butte with a natural opening, reached by a short trail, looking out over Phoenix and the zoo.
Why now Highs near 65°F and 1.2 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Postino Arcadia
The original Postino wine bar, in a converted 1950s post office, known for bruschetta boards.
Phoenix Zoo
Zoo in Papago Park whose ZooLights season ran from late November to mid-January in 2025-26.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in December
- Phoenix in December~7 mi · highs 66°F, 1.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Sedona in December~98 mi · highs 51°F, 2.0 in rain · 8°C (14°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Catalina Foothills in December~101 mi · highs 62°F, 1.1 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Downtown Tucson in December~102 mi · highs 64°F, 1.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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.
Papago Park & Camelback in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Papago Park & Camelback?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 96/100. Expect highs of 65°F (18°C) and 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain.
How hot is Papago Park & Camelback in December?
Average highs are 65°F (18°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Papago Park & Camelback in December?
Not much: about 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 10.0 in (254 mm).
What should I pack for Papago Park & Camelback in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 41°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Papago Park & Camelback
Routes in season in December
- Phoenix New Year's Eve Dec 30 – Jan 1
Planning Papago Park & Camelback in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.