Redwood in December.

Crowd snapshot.

December averages about 22,600 recreation visits in the five-year mean, roughly 24% of June and the lowest of the year. June has about four times as many. Campgrounds have plenty of room, and Jedediah Smith is first-come, first-served. The count covers Redwood National Park itself; the three state parks are counted separately.

Weather snapshot.

The Klamath station averages a December high near 54.3°F and a low near 37.9°F, the coolest of the year, with about 15.3 inches of precipitation, the wettest month. The station's snowfall normal is zero, but NPS names ice on the road as one reason the parkway closes, and it lists winter snows among the Bald Hills' sights. On December 21 the sun sets around 4:50 p.m. near the center of the park, per the U.S. Naval Observatory, so start hikes early.

Access snapshot.

December is deep in the season when NPS says the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is often closed for days at a time by fallen trees or ice, and it also closes to cars on the first Saturday for Bike and Hike Day. NPS's scenic drives page says Cal-Barrel Road is closed to vehicles in winter. Check the NPS conditions page before you drive. The Redwood Creek Trail footbridges are out from December to May. In-advance reservations for Fern Canyon parking open December 15 on the NPS Fern Canyon reservations page. Jedediah Smith Campground is first-come; Mill Creek is closed. Redwood National Park charges no entrance fee.

Seasonal events.

December is winter elk season. NPS says Roosevelt elk move down to the valleys in winter, and bulls still carry their antlers. Look near Orick, Elk Meadow, Elk Prairie, and south of Crescent City, and keep 25 yards away. Fern Canyon has no footbridges, so expect to wade Home Creek and climb over logs. On the beaches, NPS warns that sneaker waves are hard to spot and the water is very cold, and it points to the National Weather Service Eureka beach hazard statements before a coastal walk.

Audience verdict.

December suits visitors who want the park at its emptiest and come ready for rain. Short daylight limits how much you can see, so pick one area a day. Families should plan short walks, visitor center stops, and elk viewing from pull-outs rather than beach time. RV travelers should skip Howland Hill Road and check campground limits, since Mill Creek is closed. Keep a flexible plan for storm days.

Common questions.

Is December a good time to visit Redwood?

December runs quiet at Redwood, about 24% of the June peak, with cold weather (average highs near 54°F). If thinner crowds are the goal, it is one of the easier months to pick.

How crowded is Redwood in December?

December averages about 22,579 recreation visits, roughly 24% of Redwood's busiest month (June). That puts it among Redwood's quietest months.

How much of Redwood is open in December?

In a typical December, about 80% of Redwood's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.

Methodology

Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits (Redwood National Park), the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. These counts cover Redwood National Park (the NPS-administered lands); the three cooperatively managed California state parks are counted separately, and the 2024-2025 totals reflect an improved NPS counting method rather than real growth, so the reliable timing signal is the month-to-month share of the peak. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Klamath, CA (station USC00044577, 28 ft elevation, coastal lowland). The access score weights how much of the road network is typically drivable that month; Redwood's main roads have no closing season, so the winter dip is our estimate of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway's winter storm closures and first-Saturday Bike and Hike Days. Seasonal specifics (the Fern Canyon reservation window, Mill Creek Campground's season, visitor center hours) can change; confirm current details on the official NPS Redwood page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.