Early winter · Weather & things to do
Sleeping Bear Dunes in December
Sleeping Bear Dunes cools off: highs slip to 35°F (2°C), from 44°F in November, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 39/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.5 in (64 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 84%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 39/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 35°F (2°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 2.5 in (64 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 84%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 15 mph (6.8 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 8 h 37 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 37 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 46/100 in November to 39/100.
- Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.5 in of rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 15 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
7-mile loop with Lake Michigan Overlook, 450 feet above the water.
Glen Haven Historic Village
Restored lumber-era village with the Cannery Boat Museum and a blacksmith shop.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Good Harbor Vineyards
Leelanau Peninsula family winery known for cool-climate whites.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Crystal River Outfitters
Kayak and tube rentals for a slow float down the clear Crystal River.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Paved bike path linking Empire, Glen Arbor and Glen Haven through the lakeshore.
Nearby in December
- Traverse City in December~21 mi · highs 34°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Door County in December~58 mi · highs 31°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Mackinac Island in December~103 mi · highs 31°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Holland in December~137 mi · highs 36°F, 2.7 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.
Sleeping Bear Dunes in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 39/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain. Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Sleeping Bear Dunes in December?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Sleeping Bear Dunes in December?
Some: about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.0 in (863 mm).
What should I pack for Sleeping Bear Dunes in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.5 in of rain), windproof shell (average wind 15 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Sleeping Bear Dunes
Planning Sleeping Bear Dunes in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.