When to go · El Portal
El Portal in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (heat, valley crowds, parking), Dec–Mar (some lodge restaurants close).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- High
- United States overall
- Prices
- High
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (heat, valley crowds, parking), Dec–Mar (some lodge restaurants close).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatInside El Portal's best window: Apr–Jun (waterfalls, wildflowers), Sep–Oct (clear, fewer crowds).
- MayGreatInside El Portal's best window: Apr–Jun (waterfalls, wildflowers), Sep–Oct (clear, fewer crowds).
- JuneGreatInside El Portal's best window: Apr–Jun (waterfalls, wildflowers), Sep–Oct (clear, fewer crowds).
- SeptemberGreatInside El Portal's best window: Apr–Jun (waterfalls, wildflowers), Sep–Oct (clear, fewer crowds).
Weather in December
- El PortalHighs around 12 °C (54 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 54 °F (12 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 8 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas Day big impact
25 Dec · United States
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- High
- Prices · United States overall
- High
United States overall: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in El Portal, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Apr: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
Dec: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Apr: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 8
Apr: 5 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Apr: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Apr: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (heat, valley crowds, parking), Dec–Mar (some lodge restaurants close).
April: Inside El Portal's best window: Apr–Jun (waterfalls, wildflowers), Sep–Oct (clear, fewer crowds).
El Portal: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings