How Crowded Is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in December?

December runs about 0.2× Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees roughly 6,200 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.8× the average — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated April at 56/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 36°F and an overnight low around 13°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation.

That average of about 24°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

Because June, July and August together draw about 45% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.

You'll have about 9.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 250,086 recreation visits, down 25.5% from 335,862 in 2024.