December · CA

Pinnacles National Park in December.

By Nicholas Major · Last updated

Pinnacles National Park in December is a cooler hiking choice if you can adapt to rain and cave closures. The local station averages a high of 62°F (17°C) and a low of 33°F (1°C). Bring layers and check the cave report before choosing a route through Bear Gulch or Balconies.

These NOAA normals use the local Pinnacles NM station. Its temperature records cover fewer than 30 observation years, and some normals are designated representative records. They do not describe every exposed high trail or the temperature inside caves.

In short

December averages 23,066 recreation visits, 59% of April's peak. That park-wide monthly figure cannot predict holiday queues, parking or whether a particular trail will be quiet.

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Let rain decide the cave plan

The station averages 3.08 inches of December precipitation. NPS warns that heavy rain can flood stream crossings and cave routes. Lower temperatures do not establish safe footing or a usable cave.

Check the specific cave report and ask a ranger about the trail after heavy rain. Caves can close outside their normal seasonal schedules. Choose a different outing when the route is unsuitable; do not treat water across a trail as an invitation to wade.

Consider the Moses Spring–Rim loop when conditions allow

NPS lists the Moses Spring Trail to Rim Trail Loop as a moderate, approximately 2.2-mile loop with Bear Gulch Reservoir along the outing. It starts from the Bear Gulch area, reached from the east entrance. Confirm which portions are usable before setting out.

A flashlight is required in the cave; expect low ceilings, slippery rocks and uneven footing. Winter flooding can close the cave section. Also choose your entrance before driving: no road connects the east and west sides through the park.

Questions about December

Is December a good time to visit Pinnacles National Park?

December can suit cooler hiking, with cold nights and rain as the main tradeoffs. Keep the route flexible and check caves after rain; a winter visit does not guarantee access through Bear Gulch or Balconies.

Are Pinnacles caves open in December?

Do not assume they are. NPS notes that winter flooding can close cave sections, and other hazards can affect access outside seasonal schedules. Check the official cave report for your date and route.

Sources and limits

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: PINNACLES NM, CA US (USC00046926), 1,307 feet. Normal high: 62.0°F (16.7°C); normal low: 33.4°F (0.8°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for Pinnacles National Park (PINN). The December 2025 count is 23,316. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.

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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.

Last updated · 2026-10-15