Updated October 2026
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Weather by Month
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 89°F and a low of 59°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 39°F and an average low of 20°F. May is the wettest month, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 8.8 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 16 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
89°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
20°F avg low
Wettest month
May
2.6 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
8.8 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Bighorn Canyon by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F | 20°F | 0.7 in | 8.8 in | 8.9 h |
| February | 40°F | 21°F | 0.8 in | 7.4 in | 10.2 h |
| March | 50°F | 28°F | 1.2 in | 8.4 in | 11.6 h |
| April | 58°F | 36°F | 2.0 in | 3.0 in | 13.3 h |
| May | 68°F | 44°F | 2.6 in | 0.2 in | 14.7 h |
| June | 78°F | 53°F | 2.3 in | 0.0 in | 15.4 h |
| July | 89°F | 59°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 15.1 h |
| August | 87°F | 57°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in | 13.9 h |
| September | 76°F | 49°F | 1.7 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 61°F | 38°F | 2.0 in | 3.0 in | 10.7 h |
| November | 48°F | 28°F | 0.8 in | 5.8 in | 9.3 h |
| December | 39°F | 21°F | 0.7 in | 7.3 in | 8.6 h |
| Year total | 16.8 in | 43.9 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00249240, 16 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Bighorn Canyon is at that time of year.
Bighorn Canyon weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs hold near 39°F in all three months, with average lows near 21°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 2.2 inches of precipitation, about 13% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 24 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 50°F in March to 68°F in May, with average lows between 28°F and 44°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 5.8 inches of precipitation, about 35% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 12 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.6 hours in March to 14.7 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 89°F in July, between 78°F in June and 87°F in August, with average lows between 53°F and 59°F. Together the three months average 4.3 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 76°F in September to 48°F in November, with average lows between 28°F and 49°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 4.5 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 8.8 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.3 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
North District: Semi-arid, receiving 18 to 20 inches of rain annually. South District: High-desert, receiving 6 to 10 inches of rain annually. Summer temperatures: Highs in the 80s (F) and 90s (F), lows in the 50s (F) and 60s (F). Summer temperatures can peak over 100 degrees. Winter temperatures: Range in the 20s and 30s with low temperatures averaging the 10s (F) and 20s (F). During the winter the thermometer can drop below 0 (F) with extreme wind chill factors.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Bighorn Canyon
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 45.13°N, 108.14°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 2.6× the visitors of the park's average month. December is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Bighorn Canyon.
Where to stay near Bighorn Canyon
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with an average high of 89°F and an average low of 59°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 16 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with an average low of 20°F and an average high of 39°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation. January and December are the driest, at about 0.7 inches each. The station records about 16.8 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 16 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 44 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 8.8 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 8 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00249240), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.