Bismarck in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Bismarck

-2°C (28°F) High Temp

-15°C (5°F) Low Temp

23 mm (0.9 inches) Rainfall

75% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Winter wonderland atmosphere with consistent snow cover creating pristine outdoor recreation conditions from early December through March
Lowest accommodation prices of the year - hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to summer, with many properties offering extended-stay winter packages
Prime ice fishing season on Missouri River and area lakes, with 30-45 cm (12-18 inch) ice thickness providing safe access to walleye and northern pike hotspots
Clear winter skies offer exceptional stargazing and northern lights viewing opportunities, with Aurora Borealis visible 15-20 nights per month during solar maximum years

Considerations

Extreme cold requires extensive winter gear investment - quality parkas, insulated boots, and layering systems can cost $400-600 for visitors without proper equipment
Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (sunrise 8:15 AM, sunset 4:45 PM), significantly restricting outdoor activity windows and creating seasonal mood challenges
Vehicle winterization essential - rental cars need winter tires, block heaters, and emergency kits, with many roads requiring 4WD during storm systems

Best Activities in December

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Trails

December's fresh snowfall creates ideal Nordic skiing conditions at Sertoma Winter Park and McDowell Dam trails. Consistent snow cover from mid-December provides 15-20 km (9-12 miles) of groomed trails through cottonwood forests along the Missouri River. Average snow depth reaches 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) by month's end, perfect for beginner to intermediate skill levels.

Booking Tip: Equipment rental available at sporting goods stores for $25-40/day. No advance booking needed for trails, but call ahead for grooming conditions. Winter park passes cost $5-10 per vehicle. Best skiing conditions typically 10 AM-3 PM when temperatures moderate slightly.

Missouri River Ice Fishing Adventures

Prime walleye and northern pike season begins when river backwaters freeze solid by mid-December. Ice reaches safe thickness of 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) at popular spots like Burnt Boat Harbor and Fox Island. December fish are aggressive feeders preparing for deeper winter, making it peak season for both quantity and trophy catches.

Booking Tip: Guided ice fishing typically costs $150-250 per person for 4-6 hours, including equipment and fish cleaning. Book 5-7 days ahead for weekend spots. Licenses required - non-resident 3-day permits cost $35. Many guides provide heated shelters and lunch packages.

Fort Abraham Lincoln Winter History Tours

December offers intimate access to Custer's last command post without summer crowds. The reconstructed fort buildings provide warm shelter between outdoor exhibits, while fresh snow creates dramatic backdrops for photography. Winter interpretive programs focus on frontier survival and military life during harsh Plains winters.

Booking Tip: Winter admission $8 adults, $5 children with heated visitor center access. Self-guided tours available daily 9 AM-4 PM. Group tours ($12 per person) include hot beverages and extended indoor presentations. Drive time 30 minutes from downtown Bismarck via Highway 1806.

Dakota Zoo Winter Wildlife Viewing

December transforms the zoo experience as cold-weather animals become most active. Siberian tigers, wolves, and bison display natural winter behaviors while tropical species enjoy heated habitats. Snow leopards and arctic foxes are particularly animated in subzero temperatures, providing exceptional viewing opportunities.

Booking Tip: Winter admission $12 adults, $8 children with access to heated indoor exhibits. Open 10 AM-4 PM daily except Christmas. Many outdoor animals are most active 11 AM-2 PM when temperatures peak. Indoor tropical building provides warm refuge during extended visits.

Riverfront Winter Walking and Photography Tours

Missouri River creates impressive ice formations and frost-covered cottonwood galleries perfect for winter photography. Keelboat Park and Riverside Park offer maintained winter walking paths with river overlooks. December's low sun angle provides dramatic lighting for landscape photography during the limited daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walking free with parking available at Keelboat Park. Photography workshops occasionally offered through community college for $45-65. Best light occurs 9-10 AM and 3:30-4:30 PM. Maintain walking pace to stay warm - typical river walk takes 45-60 minutes.

Capitol Building and Heritage Center Indoor Cultural Tours

December is ideal for exploring Bismarck's premier indoor attractions when outdoor conditions limit activities. The 19-story Art Deco Capitol offers panoramic winter landscape views, while Heritage Center showcases Plains Indian winter culture and frontier survival exhibits. Both provide complete North Dakota history in climate-controlled comfort.

Booking Tip: Capitol tours free, offered hourly 9 AM-4 PM weekdays, 10 AM-3 PM weekends. Heritage Center admission $8 adults, $5 children with extensive indoor exhibits. Combine both attractions in 3-4 hour visit. Free parking available at both locations with easy downtown access.

December Events & Festivals

Early December weekends

Bismarck Winter Market

Local artisans and food vendors gather in heated indoor venues selling winter crafts, preserved goods, and holiday items. Features regional specialties like chokecherry jam, bison jerky, and handmade wool goods. Perfect for finding authentic North Dakota gifts while staying warm.

Mid December weekends

Holiday at the Fort

Fort Abraham Lincoln recreates 1870s military Christmas traditions with period decorations, costumed interpreters, and traditional frontier holiday foods. Includes candlelight tours of officers' quarters and enlisted men's barracks decorated for 19th-century holidays.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated parka rated to -30°C (-22°F) - essential for wind chill protection that can reach -25°C (-13°F)

Waterproof insulated boots with aggressive tread - sidewalks and trails remain icy throughout December

Merino wool base layers (top and bottom) - synthetic materials become uncomfortable during indoor/outdoor transitions

Windproof winter gloves plus liner gloves - essential for any outdoor activities or even short walks between buildings

Wool or fleece hat covering ears - significant heat loss occurs from uncovered head in subzero temperatures

Neck gaiter or balaclava - exposed facial skin can develop frostbite in 10-15 minutes at -15°C (5°F)

Sunglasses - snow glare is intense even with low UV index, especially during midday outdoor activities

Lip balm with SPF - dry winter air and wind cause rapid chapping at low humidity levels

Hand and foot warmers - disposable heat packs essential for extended outdoor activities like ice fishing

Moisturizer and lotion - indoor heating systems create extremely dry conditions causing skin irritation

Insider Knowledge

Most locals schedule outdoor activities between 11 AM-2 PM when temperatures moderate 5-8°C (9-14°F) above morning lows, making December activities more comfortable during this window

Underground walkway system connects several downtown buildings including Capitol and Heritage Center - locals use these to avoid outdoor exposure during extreme cold snaps

December is rental car negotiation season - many agencies offer 4WD vehicles at standard rates to ensure customer safety, but you must specifically request winter tire packages

Local restaurants offer 'warm-up specials' during December with hot soup and beverage combinations for $8-12 - popular stops between outdoor activities at establishments near Riverfront Park

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating vehicle warm-up time - cars need 10-15 minutes of idling before driving, and many visitors don't factor this into travel schedules causing rushed, unsafe departures

Wearing cotton clothing as base layers - cotton retains moisture and loses insulation when damp from perspiration, creating dangerous cooling during outdoor activities

Planning full days of outdoor activities - December daylight and extreme cold limit comfortable outdoor time to 2-3 hour segments with indoor warming breaks required