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To see other calendars, just select the month you’re interested in. You can always give us a call 7 days a week at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn availability immediately.
2021 December Trip Dates
U.S.A. Destinations
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Backpacking Trips
Grand Canyon National Park has not yet issued backpacking permits for this month. It's extremely beneficial to register before the permit process (85+% of our guests do). You can pick any dates and you'll receive a 5% early registration discount! We have a great success rate and your deposit is fully transferrable or refundable if we're unsuccessful. Click here to read more about Grand Canyon's permit process, or get started by selecting a trip and hitting "Go!" below.
All Other Trip Types
Sedona Red Rock Country
California
Death Valley
Eastern Sierras
Joshua Tree
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Sequoia - Kings Canyon
The Lost Coast
Yosemite National Park
Colorado
Flat Tops Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park
Montana / Wyoming
Absaroka-Beartooths
Jackson Hole Area
The Tetons
Wind River Range
Yellowstone National Park
New Hampshire
White Mountains Hut Treks
North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Utah
Arches & Canyonlands
Bryce Canyon National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Grand Staircase Escalante
Paria Slot Canyons
Zion National Park
Vermont
Vermont
Washington
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Olympic Hiking & Backpacking Tours
International Destinations
Alps Guided Treks
Alps Guided Treks
Canadian Rockies Treks
Canadian Rockies Treks
Iceland Hiking Trips
Iceland Hiking Trips
Nepal Treks
Nepal Treks
New Zealand Hiking Tours
New Zealand Hiking Tours
Norway Hiking Tours
Norway Hiking Tours
Patagonia Trekking (Chile)
Patagonia Trekking (Chile)
Peru Treks
Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking
Guided Hikes to Machu Picchu
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro)
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro)
Vietnam
Vietnam
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIKING IN DECEMBER
BENEFITS OF HIKING IN DECEMBER
The biggest benefit with December – like other winter months in the northern hemisphere – is the lack of crowds at many destinations. Because many people are focused on preparing for the holidays and winter, recreational and adventure travel ebbs, which is a benefit to those who do desire to get out.
Some USA desert and canyon destinations are also in their prime in December. Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Joshua Tree and the Sedona area are all wonderful throughout December, as well as Zion, Bryce and the Grand Staircase-Escalante but more for inn-based tours.
A big benefit in winter is the ability to visit major USA national parks and have them mostly to yourself. Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Rainier, and the Great Smoky Mountains offer wonderful winter hiking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing opportunities with amazing solitude.
Internationally, you can enjoy the Inca Trail in December with far fewer people on the trail but a higher chance of rain and wet conditions. Kilimanjaro is excellent in December. Also, southern hemisphere trekking destinations like New Zealand and Patagonia are in their prime in December and well worth a visit!
DRAWBACKS OF HIKING IN DECEMBER
The main drawbacks of December are that the northern hemisphere mountain destinations are fully entering winter and are no longer open for trekking. Many are open for snowshoeing and skiing though!
WHERE TO HIKE
There are three main categories of destinations to hike in December:
– USA desert and canyon destinations – these options include Grand Canyon, Sedona’s Red Rock Country, Joshua Tree, Death Valley and more.
– USA winter hiking and snowshoeing destinations – these options include Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Rainier and the Great Smoky Mountains.
– Trekking and backpacking internationally – recommended options for December are Kilimanjaro, Vietnam, New Zealand and Patagonia.