Pack for the day and the night
Light daytime layers plus a warm layer give you options as temperatures change. NPS describes mild winter days and cool nights at low elevations, with occasional freezing nights. Check the forecast for your destination, especially if you plan to leave the valley floor.
Three valley stops to start with
- Badwater Basin: start at the boardwalk; extend your visit with a walk onto the salt flats. Read the NPS stop guide.
- Zabriskie Point: a paved, uphill walk from the parking lot reaches the badlands viewpoint. Check the walk details.
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: explore on foot, watching for animal burrows. There are no official trails. Read the NPS dune guidance.
Choose stops after checking conditions; this is a starting list, not a timed driving itinerary.
Check roads and holiday plans separately
December averages 115,548 recreation visits, 72% of the busiest month's average. That park-wide monthly figure does not predict Christmas-week crowds, parking or room availability.
The park is normally open year-round, but roads, facilities and services can have different hours. Check operating hours and current conditions before settling on your route. Confirm lodging or campground arrangements directly with the operator.
Questions about December
Is Death Valley National Park open in December?
The park is normally open year-round, 24 hours a day. That does not mean every road, facility or service is available. Check NPS operating hours and current conditions for your plans.
How hot does Death Valley get in December?
Furnace Creek's normal December high is 66°F (19°C), with a normal low of 41°F (5°C). These are long-term averages at a low-valley station, not a forecast or mountain temperatures.
Sources and limits
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (USC00042319), -194 feet. Normal high: 65.6°F (18.7°C); normal low: 41.1°F (5.1°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for Death Valley National Park (DEVA). The December 2025 count is 125,321. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.
Compare your dates
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.