Death Valley in December: Weather Guide
“A steady middle month — well worth visiting with the right expectations.”
Roughly 4 rainy days across the month, on average.
The clocks tick into December and Death Valley leans into a cool crispness in the morning air; you feel it first around the Furnace Creek visitor centre. Averages sit around 11.4°C (52.5°F) by day and 5.8°C (42.4°F) after dark, with rainfall near 20 mm across roughly 3.8 rainy days — sliding through as brief afternoon showers. Daylight runs about 8.4 hours per day, shorter daylight that concentrates walking hours, and the season stamps its signature on details like salt flats at Badwater Basin.
On the ground, cold shapes the timing. Time around the Furnace Creek visitor centre shows best in mid-morning light before the chill deepens; warm interiors — cafés, museums, shops near Ubehebe Crater rim — carry the middle of the day. Evenings run short outdoors and long indoors, which suits the local rhythm rather than fighting it.
Reading across 11 complete years (2015–2025), December in Death Valley has trended less predictable in recent seasons, with the last few years pushing daytime highs and rainfall patterns modestly away from the older normals. The 2026 signal so far tracks the recent shape rather than the long-run midpoint — meaning what you see above is weighted to how this month has actually been running, not a smoothed 30-year picture that masks the shift.
For travellers planning around 2026, this profile is the honest baseline. Match the packing list to the numbers — not to the month name — and you avoid the classic mismatch of arriving with the wrong shell, the wrong shoes, or the wrong daylight assumptions. The rest of this page breaks down what to wear, what to do, and how the season tends to run for Death Valley visitors in 2026.
Death Valley is the largest US park outside Alaska; distances between points are 45-minute drives. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells are the only fuel; top off in Beatty or Lone Pine before entering. Cell service is nonexistent; download offline maps. The Racetrack Playa moving rocks require a 4WD high-clearance and a spare tire minimum. Never hike below sea level in summer daylight; rangers pull bodies out yearly. Dante's View sunset requires driving up 1600m for a jacket-worthy temperature drop.
What to pack for Death Valley in December
With highs only near 11.4°C and lows around 5.8°C, cold-weather kit is non-negotiable, especially for long walking days.
- a warm insulated jacket
- a fleece mid-layer
- hiking shoes
- a beanie
- a scarf
What to pack for Death Valley in December
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50Amazon · shop this
- →Polarized sunglassesAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
We may earn a small commission on any purchase — it doesn't change the price you pay.
Where to stay in Death Valley
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Death Valley across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated December trip to Death Valley
Peak season prices — book early or shift by 2–3 weeks to save. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you. Estimates use rule-based averages; check partner sites for live pricing.
Delayed flight to Death Valley?
Flights to Death Valley in December can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
Check compensation eligibility →Free check · Only pay if you get paid · Powered by Compensair.
Plan your Death Valley trip
Handpicked services from partners we trust. One tab for everything you'll need after the flight is booked.
Compare rooms in Death Valley on Booking.com.
Skip-the-line tickets, day trips, food walks and guided tours.
Compare fares with cashback on every booking.
Instant data on arrival — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.
Flexible monthly coverage for trips of any length.
Compare 900+ rental brands with free cancellation.
Book a driver in advance — fixed price, no queue.
We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no cost to you.
Things worth doing
Best-fit activities include scenic drives, short hikes, dune photography, and star-gazing — a mix suited to the month's daylight and weather pattern. Plan mornings for outdoor options and afternoon...
December vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Death Valley. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Death Valley
While December has its own character in Death Valley, the data-backed best months to visit Death Valley are March, April, May, September. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for Death ValleyOther places with a similar climate right now
Death Valley in December — FAQ
Q01Should I visit Death Valley in December?
Should I visit Death Valley in December?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In December, Death Valley averages a high of 11°C (53°F) and a low of 6°C (42°F), with 20mm of rainfall across roughly 4 rainy days. Mid-February through mid-March; wildflower superbloom windows hit Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater rim isn't lethal, and Titus Canyon 4WD road runs clear.
Q02What temperatures should I expect in Death Valley during December?
What temperatures should I expect in Death Valley during December?
The average high temperature in Death Valley during December is 11°C (53°F), with an average low of 6°C (42°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January nights at Furnace Creek drop near freezing; Telescope Peak snow gives skiers a bizarre view down to below-sea-level Badwater.
Q03Is December a rainy month in Death Valley?
Is December a rainy month in Death Valley?
Death Valley averages approximately 4 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 20mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04How should I dress for Death Valley in December?
How should I dress for Death Valley in December?
For Death Valley in December, pack a merino base layer for evenings, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. A 4-liter minimum hydration bladder per person per day; the park recommends one gallon per person and the visitor center runs out of bottles by noon.
Q05Is December a busy travel month for Death Valley?
Is December a busy travel month for Death Valley?
Tourist crowds in Death Valley during December are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Death Valley is the largest US park outside Alaska; distances between points are 45-minute drives. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells are the only fuel; top off in Beatty or Lone Pine before entering. Cell service is nonexistent; download offline maps. The Racetrack Playa moving rocks require a 4WD high-clearance and a spare tire minimum. Never hike below sea level in summer daylight; rangers pull bodies out yearly. Dante's View sunset requires driving up 1600m for a jacket-worthy temperature drop.