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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison · December
December is one of the best times to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison — quieter than November, quieter than January.
Expect light crowds (1/10), highs near 36°F, and about 9.5 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 9% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
December draws about 2% of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON, CO US
What's open
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal & North Rim campground sites are first-come first-served and accept payment using Scan & Pay through Recreation.gov's mobile app.
Details on nps.gov →Until further notice, the following are PROHIBITED in all park areas: (1) Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal fires or pellet grills, or any other open burning. Properly shielded, self-contained propane or liquid-fueled camp stoves and grills, lanterns, or other heated devices with on/off switches are permitted. (2) All smoking, except within a personally-owned enclosed vehicle. (3) Discharging or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices.
Details on nps.gov →Source: NPS Data API
Context
FAQ
December rates 1/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — about 9% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 5,069.
In December, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison averages a high of 36°F and a low of 13°F, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison costs $30 (7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.).
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is quietest in December and January. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-December, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison gets about 9.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:21 AM and sunset around 4:50 PM.