Black Canyon of the Gunnison by Month: Weather, What’s Open & When to Go (2026)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison · every month
Pick a month. Stand on the rim in it.
Average temperatures from NOAA's rim station, daylight from the sun's math, road and fee dates from the park's own pages. Choose a month and the page changes to what Black Canyon is actually like then.
average highaverage lowprecipitationsnowhours across the top = daylight
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, Co Us, 8,150 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00050754). Tap a column or pick a month below.
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Showing all twelve months. Pick one and the page becomes that month.
Last updated September 3, 2026 How we research
Black Canyon is a rim park at 8,150 feet, and the year here is really a story about two roads. The South Rim never closes: its visitor center, its 12 overlooks and the 7-mile South Rim Drive are open 24 hours a day all year, though the drive beyond Gunnison Point often shuts to vehicles when snow and ice arrive and turns into a ski and snowshoe road. The North Rim Road and the steep East Portal Road to the river open in spring and close for the winter, which is what makes late spring and late fall the months to watch.
The chart shows the whole year at the rim: highs from the mid-30s in December and January to 82 in July, nights below freezing from November through April, and about 1.5 to 2 inches of precipitation most months, with June the driest and September the wettest. Higher ground runs 5 to 10 degrees colder than the rim, and evenings drop 20 to 30 degrees from the afternoon in every season. Below the chart, every month has the same five answers: what it feels like, how much daylight you get, what is open, how busy it is, and what to do.
When does it first snow?
NOAA's normals for the rim station report precipitation but no separate snowfall column, so this page cannot give you inches of snow by month. What the park's own seasonal notes say: the first snow at the rim usually comes in October or November, snow is common from December through March, and much of the 1.5 to 1.7 inches of winter precipitation falls as snow. Accumulation varies a great deal from year to year. Average lows sit below freezing from November (23 degrees) through April (29 degrees), and the North Rim Road closes for the winter accordingly: November 25, 2026 to April 29, 2027.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in January
January: the rim in snow, the canyon to yourself
Highs in the upper 30s, lows around 13, and under ten hours of daylight with sunset at 5:12. The South Rim never closes, but the drive past Gunnison Point usually does, and what is left is a groomed road for skis and snowshoes above a 2,000-foot drop.
- 37° / 13°avg high / low
- 9.7 hdaylight, 7:27 am to 5:12 pm
- 1.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- The South Rim is open 24 hours a day all year; the South Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point (the visitor center) is often closed to vehicles because of snow and ice. Call 970-641-2337 before you drive up.
- The North Rim Road is closed to vehicles and all North Rim services are shut for the season (November 25, 2026 to April 29, 2027).
- East Portal Road, the river road, is closed November through April.
- Entrance is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bicycle.
How busy
The quietest stretch of the year. Estimate: the park's pages give no winter counts.
Best for
- solitude
- snowshoeing
What to do
- Snowshoe or cross-country ski the closed South Rim Drive when it is groomed (weather permitting).
- Walk out to Gunnison Point beside the visitor center for the winter view into the canyon.
- Base in Montrose, 14 miles south on US 50 and CO 347, where the hotels and restaurants are.
Pack
- Insulated coat, hat, gloves, waterproof boots
- Microspikes or traction aids for packed snow
- 4WD or chains: 2WD struggles when the road is icy
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in February
February: still winter, with an hour more light
Highs near 40, lows in the mid-teens, and about an hour more daylight than January. Snow is still the normal state of the rim, and the same winter closures hold: no North Rim, no East Portal, and a South Rim Drive that opens and closes with the ice.
- 40° / 16°avg high / low
- 10.7 hdaylight, 7:03 am to 5:47 pm
- 1.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- South Rim open 24 hours; South Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point closes intermittently to vehicles for snow and ice.
- North Rim Road and East Portal Road both closed for the winter.
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the groomed roads when conditions allow.
- $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass; children under 16 free with a paying adult.
How busy
Empty on weekdays. Estimate: the park's pages give no winter counts.
Best for
- skiing
- quiet
What to do
- Ski or snowshoe the South Rim Drive toward the overlooks the plows have not reached.
- Stargaze from the South Rim, which is open around the clock in an International Dark Sky Park.
- Warm up in Montrose afterward; the river at East Portal stays out of reach until the road reopens in May.
Pack
- Full winter layers: lows are in the teens
- Sunglasses and SPF 30+: the sun is intense at 8,150 feet even in winter
- A thermos and a headlamp for the 5:47 sunset
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in March
March: the last true winter month
Daytime highs climb toward 49, but nights are still near 23 and snow is still common. Daylight is back to almost twelve hours, and March is the month the rim starts to soften, slowly, at 8,150 feet.
- 48° / 23°avg high / low
- 11.9 hdaylight, 7:24 am to 7:17 pm
- 2.0 inprecipitation
What’s open
- South Rim open all year; the drive past Gunnison Point depends on snow conditions, so check before visiting in March and April.
- North Rim Road closed until April 29, 2027 (the 2026-27 closure); East Portal Road closed through April.
- Dogs are allowed on leash on the Rim Rock Nature Trail through May 31.
- Precipitation runs about 2 inches in March, much of it still snow.
How busy
Quiet. The park is between seasons. Estimate.
Best for
- late-season snow
- empty overlooks
What to do
- Late-season snowshoe or ski days on the South Rim Drive while the snow holds.
- Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point, the overlooks closest to the visitor center, when the drive is gated.
- Montrose for a warm dinner and a walkable downtown after a cold day on the rim.
Pack
- Waterproof everything: March can snow hard or turn to rain
- Microspikes
- Sunglasses for snow glare
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in April
April: the South Rim Drive comes back
Highs in the mid-50s, lows still below freezing at 29, and 13 hours of daylight. By late April the snow is mostly gone from the lower elevations and the South Rim Drive is usually drivable by mid-month, though it varies year to year.
- 56° / 29°avg high / low
- 13.2 hdaylight, 6:36 am to 7:46 pm
- 1.8 inprecipitation
What’s open
- South Rim Drive is drivable by mid-April in most years; check current conditions before you come.
- North Rim Road stays closed through April 29, 2027 for the 2026-27 season.
- East Portal Road is still closed for snow and steep grades; it reopens roughly in May.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass. Backcountry permits for the inner canyon are separate, from the visitor center or online.
How busy
Almost empty. Estimate: shoulder season before the North Rim opens.
Best for
- empty overlooks
- first drives of the season
What to do
- Drive the 7-mile South Rim Drive from Tomichi Point to High Point as the overlooks reopen.
- Painted Wall and Cedar Point, the big-view overlooks, without a soul in the parking lots.
- Watch the melt: the rim can be mild by day and below freezing by dark, so plan the sunset view with layers.
Pack
- Fleece or down for nights that still freeze
- Waterproof shell
- Comfortable hiking boots for mud and leftover snow
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in May
May: the North Rim opens and hiking season starts
Highs in the mid-60s, nights around 38, and more than 14 hours of daylight. This is the month the North Rim Road and East Portal Road come back and the park is whole again, with far fewer people than summer and a few snow patches lingering on the higher trails.
- 66° / 38°avg high / low
- 14.2 hdaylight, 5:59 am to 8:14 pm
- 1.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- North Rim Road typically reopens in early May (for 2027, April 29); the North Rim ranger station and services operate only during the open window.
- East Portal Road, the steep road to the river, is open roughly May through October. Grades reach 16 percent and vehicles over 22 feet are prohibited.
- North Rim Campground (13 sites, $20, first-come first-served, Scan & Pay only) and East Portal Campground (15 sites, $20, first-come first-served) open seasonally, typically May through October.
- Dogs on the Rim Rock Nature Trail are allowed on leash through May 31, then not allowed June 1 to August 15.
How busy
One of the two shoulder months the park itself recommends: fewer crowds and all areas accessible by late May.
Best for
- both rims, few people
- fishing
- hiking
What to do
- Drive the North Rim Road while it is freshly open; the last 7 miles from Crawford are unpaved but passable in dry conditions in a standard vehicle.
- Go down East Portal Road to the river for the first trout fishing of the season on Gold Medal water.
- Hike the rim trails: snow patches may remain at higher elevations into May, so save the longest walks for late month.
Pack
- Layers for a 30-degree daily swing
- Rain shell
- Boots you do not mind getting muddy
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in June
June: the driest month and the longest days
Highs in the mid-70s, lows in the mid-40s, and the driest month of the year at under an inch of precipitation. Daylight peaks near 15 hours with sunset at 8:36, which means overlook light until well after dinner.
- 76° / 46°avg high / low
- 14.8 hdaylight, 5:45 am to 8:36 pm
- 0.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- All park areas open: South Rim Drive, North Rim Road, East Portal Road, all three campgrounds, and a fully staffed visitor center.
- South Rim Campground (25 sites, $20 to 34 a night, reduced from 88 sites by the 2025 fire) requires a Recreation.gov reservation; the park says to book 3 to 6 months ahead and that August fills by June.
- No dogs on the Rim Rock Nature Trail June 1 through August 15.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle for 7 days; the pass covers the drive, overlooks, ranger programs and visitor center.
How busy
Builds through the month as schools let out; the park counts June through September as peak. Estimate for June specifically.
Best for
- long days
- dry weather
- every road open
What to do
- The full South Rim Drive and its 12 overlooks, ending at High Point.
- Warner Point Nature Trail (1.6 miles) for San Juan Mountains views at the end, and Rim Rock Nature Trail (1.7 miles), where the section beyond Tomichi Point remains closed from the 2025 fire.
- Ranger astronomy programs and night sky viewing: the galactic core is up late on clear June nights.
Pack
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+
- 2 liters of water per person; the rim has little shade
- A fleece for nights in the 40s
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in July
July: the warmest month, with a 2 p.m. deadline
Highs peak at 82 and nights sit in the low 50s. July is the warmest, most stable month, and also when afternoon thunderstorms become routine: brief heavy rain, lightning, sometimes hail, then a clear evening for the stars.
- 82° / 52°avg high / low
- 14.6 hdaylight, 5:58 am to 8:35 pm
- 1.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Everything is open and roads are clear: South Rim Drive, North Rim Road (unpaved final 7 miles, high clearance recommended but not required), East Portal Road.
- South Rim Campground by reservation only on Recreation.gov; North Rim and East Portal campgrounds first-come first-served at $20, so arrive by 11 a.m. for a site.
- Inner canyon routes require a wilderness permit from the visitor center or online. The Gunnison Route is a Class 3-4 scramble, 6 miles round trip, 4 to 8 hours, for experienced people only; the 2025 fire left hazardous burned terrain, so ask a ranger first.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass.
How busy
Peak season. Parking at the popular overlooks fills by mid-morning.
Best for
- warmest days
- stargazing
- the full itinerary
What to do
- Start at 7 a.m. and be off the trail by 2 p.m., ahead of the lightning.
- Chasm View and Dragon Point on the South Rim; both are also shielded from headlights for stargazing after the storms clear.
- Drive to the river on East Portal Road in the morning, before the afternoon build-up.
Pack
- Rain shell for the afternoon storm
- Sun protection and plenty of water
- A headlamp; dusk is late but the stars are the point
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in August
August: peak season, fire restrictions, and the Milky Way overhead
Highs around 81, lows around 52, and afternoon thunderstorms most days from mid-month, rarely lasting more than 30 minutes. The air is dry and the UV is intense even under cloud. This is the busiest month, and the one where the night sky is at its best.
- 81° / 52°avg high / low
- 13.7 hdaylight, 6:24 am to 8:07 pm
- 1.7 inprecipitation
What’s open
- All roads and trails open. Stage 2 fire restrictions are typically in effect by mid-August: no campfires (stoves only), no charcoal grills in campgrounds, smoking only in vehicles and developed areas, no fireworks.
- South Rim Campground is full by now for anyone who has not booked; North Rim (13 sites) and East Portal (15 sites) are first-come first-served at $20. Montrose, 14 miles away, has the beds.
- Painted Wall View, Cedar Point and Rim Rock trailheads fill first; North Chasm View, Island Peaks and Gunnison Point are the fallbacks when they do.
- No dogs on the Rim Rock Nature Trail through August 15; on leash again from September 1.
How busy
Busiest month. Lots fill by 9 a.m.; arrive by 8, or after 4 p.m. for a quieter rim.
Best for
- night sky
- warm days
- everything open
What to do
- Painted Wall View Trail (0.2 miles) for the wildflower display in early August and the biggest wall in the canyon.
- Stargaze from Sunset View, Chasm View or Dragon Point; peak Milky Way is 10 p.m. onward, best around the new moon, and summer ranger astronomy programs run nightly.
- Fish at East Portal (day use, no permit needed) or book Gunnison Gorge below the park with an authorized outfitter; the inner canyon itself is Class V+ and has killed experienced paddlers.
Pack
- A red-light headlamp; dusk falls by about 8:30
- Rain shell and a light fleece for 50-degree nights
- A stove: campfires are usually banned by mid-month
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in September
September: the same park with far fewer cars
Highs in the low 70s, nights in the mid-40s, and afternoon storms tapering off even though September is the wettest month by NOAA's average. Both rims are open, fall color starts on the North Rim, and the crowds thin.
- 72° / 44°avg high / low
- 12.5 hdaylight, 6:51 am to 7:21 pm
- 2.1 inprecipitation
What’s open
- South Rim Drive, North Rim Road and East Portal Road all open; North Rim access runs through early November.
- All three campgrounds open; North Rim and East Portal remain first-come first-served at $20 a night.
- Dogs allowed on leash on the Rim Rock Nature Trail from September 1.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass.
How busy
The park's other recommended shoulder month: mild temperatures, fewer crowds, everything still open.
Best for
- fewer crowds
- hiking
- early color
What to do
- The North Rim: Exclamation Point (3 miles round trip), North Chasm View (0.3 miles) and the Deadhorse Trail (2.6 miles one way, no permit) as the color comes in.
- Fall colors peak in September and early October on the North Rim before it closes.
- Every summer overlook without the summer wait for a parking space.
Pack
- Layers for frost at dawn and 70s by noon
- Rain shell: still the wettest month on average
- Fleece or down for evenings
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in October
October: color on the rim and the first snow behind it
Highs near 60, nights right at freezing, and daylight down to about 11 hours. Early October still carries fall color on the North Rim; by late month the higher overlooks and trails can hold snow patches and the first snow at the rim is a real possibility.
- 60° / 33°avg high / low
- 11.3 hdaylight, 7:18 am to 6:34 pm
- 1.9 inprecipitation
What’s open
- North Rim Road still open; the 2026 closure begins November 25.
- East Portal Road is open roughly through October, then closes for the winter; the seasonal campgrounds at East Portal and the North Rim typically close after October.
- South Rim Drive open; watch for the first snow and ice late in the month.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass.
How busy
Thin, and thinner every week. Estimate.
Best for
- fall color
- quiet
- last river access
What to do
- A last run down East Portal Road to the river before it closes for five months.
- Fall color on the North Rim in the first days of the month.
- The South Rim overlooks in low autumn light: Pulpit Rock, Rock Point and Cedar Point.
Pack
- Warm layers: nights are at freezing
- Waterproof shell
- Traction for the first icy mornings late in the month
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in November
November: the North Rim closes and the snow begins
Highs in the upper 40s, lows around 23, and snow becoming common, especially late in the month. The sun sets at 4:59. This is the month the park folds down to the South Rim for the winter.
- 47° / 23°avg high / low
- 10.1 hdaylight, 6:52 am to 4:59 pm
- 1.5 inprecipitation
What’s open
- North Rim Road closes for the season on November 25, 2026 and reopens April 29, 2027; ranger station and North Rim services shut with it.
- East Portal Road closes for the winter (November through April).
- South Rim open 24 hours all year; the drive beyond Gunnison Point starts closing intermittently to vehicles as snow and ice arrive.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass; call 970-641-2337 to confirm road conditions before driving up.
How busy
Empty. Estimate: the park's pages give no late-fall counts.
Best for
- solitude
- first snow
What to do
- Drive the South Rim Drive early in the month, before the snow gates it past the visitor center.
- Gunnison Point from the visitor center on a snowy afternoon.
- First snowshoe days on the closed drive when the snow builds late in the month.
Pack
- Insulated coat, hat and gloves
- Headlamp: sunset is before 5
- Chains or winter tires
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in December
December: the winter rim
Highs in the mid-30s, lows around 13, and the shortest days of the year with sunset at 4:50. The park is the South Rim visitor center, whatever section of the drive the plows and the ice allow, and the ski and snowshoe road beyond.
- 36° / 13°avg high / low
- 9.5 hdaylight, 7:21 am to 4:50 pm
- 1.5 inprecipitation
What’s open
- South Rim open 24 hours a day; South Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point often closed to vehicles for snow and ice.
- North Rim and East Portal both closed for the winter.
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on groomed roads, weather permitting.
- Entrance $30 per vehicle, 7-day pass, $15 per person on foot.
How busy
Near-total solitude, especially on weekdays. Estimate.
Best for
- snow
- solitude
- skiing
What to do
- Snowshoe or ski the closed South Rim Drive to overlooks you would otherwise share with a parking lot.
- Winter stargazing: the South Rim is open all night and the cold air is clear.
- Montrose for lodging, dinner and a warm room after a day at 8,150 feet.
Pack
- Full winter kit: insulated coat, waterproof boots, hat, gloves
- Microspikes or snowshoes
- Thermos and hand warmers
Which month is yours?
Questions people ask about Black Canyon Of The Gunnison’s seasons
What is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
May and September, by the park's own account: mild temperatures with highs in the 50s to low 70s, fewer crowds, and all areas accessible, with the North Rim open from late May. June through August is peak season with the warmest weather and daily afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. The North Rim is only reachable May through November; the South Rim is open all year.
What is the weather like at Black Canyon of the Gunnison by month?
At the rim station (8,150 feet) NOAA normals run from a January high of 37 and low of 13 to a July high of 82 and low of 53. Highs are 36 to 40 from December through February, 49 in March, 56 in April, 66 in May, 76 to 82 from June through August, 72 in September, 60 in October and 47 in November. Precipitation is about 1.5 to 2 inches every month, with June driest at 0.73 inches and September wettest at 2.08. Higher elevations run 5 to 10 degrees colder.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison open in winter?
Yes, on the South Rim. The South Rim is open 24 hours a day all year, but the South Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point is often closed to vehicles because of snow and ice, and the groomed road becomes a snowshoe and cross-country ski route when conditions allow. The North Rim Road and East Portal Road close for the winter, and there are no North Rim services. Call 970-641-2337 before visiting to confirm road conditions.
Can I visit the North Rim in winter?
No. The North Rim Road closes in mid-November and reopens in early May; for 2026-27 the closure runs November 25 to April 29. The ranger station, campground and road access are all shut for that window.
How cold does it get, and how much snow falls?
Winter lows average 13 to 16 degrees with daytime highs of 36 to 40. Monthly precipitation is 1.5 to 2 inches year-round and much of it falls as snow from December through March, but the NOAA station does not publish a snowfall column and accumulation varies greatly year to year. Higher elevations are 5 to 10 degrees colder than the rim.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
Not for the South Rim in spring through fall: the South Rim Drive is paved and open to all vehicles. In winter, 2WD vehicles may struggle on snow and ice, so 4WD or chains are wise. East Portal Road and the final 7 miles to the North Rim via Crawford are unpaved but passable in dry conditions with a standard vehicle; East Portal Road has 16 percent grades and vehicles over 22 feet are prohibited.
Every month on this page is built from NOAA normals for the rim station, the sun's position, and the park's published dates and rules, not from a visit, and the page says so where it matters. Temperatures: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, Co Us, 8,150 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00050754).
