Best Time to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Pick a month. Best months are in bold.
The best months to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are March, April and May — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. June is the crowd peak (48,408 monthly visits); February is quietest at 14% of peak.
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Bring for Black Canyon of the Gunnison in March
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 23°F, below freezing.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
- Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
March is one of Black Canyon of the Gunnison's best months. Going in another month? Pick it in the month row above: each month page has its own list.
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- No Water Available in Park (Caution)
- Cashless Operations (Information)
Best months for fewer crowds
The quietest months at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, leaving out harsh weather and months when main access is typically closed.
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 9,395 | 19% | 37°F / 13°F | 1.7″ | 9.8h |
| February | Shoulder | 7,018 | 14% | 40°F / 16°F | 1.7″ | 10.8h |
| March | Best window | 8,974 | 19% | 49°F / 23°F | 2.0″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 12,369 | 26% | 56°F / 29°F | 1.8″ | 13.2h |
| May | Best window | 34,586 | 71% | 66°F / 38°F | 1.6″ | 14.3h |
| June | Peak crowds | 48,408 | 100% | 76°F / 46°F | 0.7″ | 14.8h |
| July | Peak crowds | 46,998 | 97% | 82°F / 53°F | 1.6″ | 14.6h |
| August | Peak crowds | 43,620 | 90% | 81°F / 52°F | 1.7″ | 13.7h |
| September | Peak crowds | 47,222 | 98% | 72°F / 44°F | 2.1″ | 12.5h |
| October | Shoulder | 29,766 | 61% | 60°F / 33°F | 1.9″ | 11.2h |
| November | Shoulder | 13,840 | 29% | 47°F / 23°F | 1.5″ | 10.1h |
| December | Shoulder | 7,640 | 16% | 36°F / 13°F | 1.5″ | 9.5h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON, CO US (2 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison each year
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park had 250,086 recreation visits in 2025, 26% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2019, with 432,818. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 309,836 visits a year, which makes it the 15th least-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 250,086 | −26% |
| 2024 | 335,862 | −6% |
| 2023 | 357,069 | +20% |
| 2022 | 297,257 | −4% |
| 2021 | 308,910 | −10% |
| 2020 | 341,620 | −21% |
| 2019 | 432,818 | +40% |
| 2018 | 308,962 | +1% |
| 2017 | 307,143 | +29% |
| 2016 | 238,018 | +14% |
| 2015 | 209,166 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Black Canyon of the Gunnison in March
Computed from March's weather normals — Black Canyon of the Gunnison's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 23°F, below freezing
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
March, April and May rank best for Black Canyon of the Gunnison on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight. The numbers are on Black Canyon of the Gunnison in March.
What is the most crowded month at Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
June: an average of 48,408 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is February, at 14% of the June peak.
When is Black Canyon of the Gunnison least crowded with decent conditions?
February. It is the park's quietest month (14% of the June peak, 7,018 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison per year?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park had 250,086 recreation visits in 2025, 26% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2019, with 432,818. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 309,836 visits a year (how we average NPS counts).
What is the weather like at Black Canyon of the Gunnison through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 82°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 13°F. The wettest month is September, with 2.1″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON, CO US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Black Canyon of the Gunnison ranks against all 63 parks in March, April and May.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks
Nearby parks and their best months
Arches
About 100 mi away (straight line) · UT
Best months: February, March and November
Best time to visit ArchesMesa Verde
About 100 mi away (straight line) · CO
Best months: March, April and May
Best time to visit Mesa VerdeCanyonlands
About 110 mi away (straight line) · UT
Best months: February, March and November
Best time to visit CanyonlandsGreat Sand Dunes
About 130 mi away (straight line) · CO
Best months: March, April and October
Best time to visit Great Sand DunesDistance between park coordinates (Wikidata). Best month from the same NPS crowds × NOAA weather × daylight score as every park page. Methodology.