Hiking cliffs and gazing at the roaring river sculpting the rocks into many forms and shapes. Sounds like a dream, right? The fantasy comes to life in the form of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Located in Colorado, this rugged landscape stretching to around 32,950 acres is nothing less than a work of art. The rock formations here are traceable to over 1.8 billion years ago. You do not want to miss out on its vast and mesmerizing landscape.
But how do you get there? What are the weather conditions like? Can you visit Black Canyon National Park in winter? These are just some of the questions you might have right now. We will address all your queries in this article. So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Is Black Canyon National Park Open in Winter?
Yes, Black Canyon National Park is open in winter. It is open all year round. However, entrances such as the North Rim Road and East Portal Road are temporarily closed during wintertime.
Does It Snow in Black Canyon National Park?
Yes, it snows in Black Canyon National Park in winter. So you need to be well-prepared to protect yourself against the freezing weather. We have compiled a list of all the travel essentials you might need. They will make the chilly atmospheric conditions easier for you.
What Is Black Canyon National Park Like in December?
The cold season in Black Canyon National park begins from November 23 to February 20. Thus, December is wintertime in the Black Canyon National Park.
Temperature:
The average high temperature fluctuates between a cool 43° to 37° F during December. The nights are even colder when the temperature ranges from 22° F to 16° F. This can be quite cold for some people.
Cloud Cover:
There is essentially a constant cloud cover during December. The skies are overcast around 37 percent of the time.
Snow:
There isn’t a lot of snowfall. The day with the highest accumulated snow is December 27, when it snows around 3.4 inches.
What Is Black Canyon National Park Like in January?
Temperature:
January is the coldest month in Black Canyon. The temperature ranges from 36° F to 41° F. Nights are even more freezing, with the weather ranging from 16° to 19° F.
Cloud Cover:
The sky is essentially overcast by clouds most of the time. There are rarely any clear days. Clouds wander the horizon around 37 percent of the time during the month.
Snow:
There isn’t a significant difference in snowfall from December to January. The accumulated snowfall is around 3.3 inches in the beginning. It then falls to approximately 2.2 inches by the end of the month.
What Is Black Canyon National Park Like in February?
Temperature:
As January ends, temperatures in Black Canyon National Park start falling. They range from 41° F to 51° F during the day. Much like all wintertime, the nights are comparatively colder. It fluctuates between 20° F to 27° F at night.
Cloud Cover:
The sky is relatively cloudy in February. It is overcast 42 percent of the time throughout the month.
Snow:
Snowfall also begins to decline as February approaches. It doesn’t stop entirely, though. The accumulated snowfall per day is 2.1 inches during the start of the month. It falls to 1.5 inches as March comes nearer.
What To Do in Black Canyon National Park in the Winter
Most people prefer touring here in the summers when the weather is moderate. But if you’re someone who enjoys solitude and does not mind the icy isolation, Black Canyon National Park is snow-crested heaven on Earth. Moreover, there are numerous activities you can participate in.
We’re also partial to Black Canyon National Park in winter because you won’t have to worry about sweating in the sweltering heat. Moreover, there is no entrance fee throughout winter. But there are limited access points as East Portal Road and North Rim Road are shut down due to the snow. You can only enter the park through the South Rim entrance.
Now that we have covered the basics. Time to get down to the fun stuff!
Hiking
Hiking the snow-covered land as you walk along sagebrush, Gambel oak, and many other species of plants feels therapeutic. If you want to take some time away from people, Black Canyon National Park in winter will have minimal people traversing its steep slopes. Moreover, there are multiple hiking trails, depending on your experience and skill.
To simplify things, we compiled a list of hiking trails in order of their difficulty level. All these are located in the South Rim.
Uplands Trail
Location: Between Rim Rock Trail and Oak Flat Loop Trail.
Length: 1-mile
It is one of the easiest trails you can embark on. It is most suitable for beginners that do not want to allocate a large portion of their day trekking. We recommend walking on this trail in the early morning or late evenings. You might be lucky to witness various mammals and birds during that time.
Moreover, we love the greenery here. It has a wide variety of vegetation, including sagebrush, Gambel oak, and Utah serviceberry. You can also see the magnificent and towering West Elk Mountains from here. Perhaps the only thing it lacks is the view of the canyon.
For a longer journey, combine it with Oak Flat Loop Trail and Rim Rock Trail. Another easy trail for beginners is the Cedar Point Nature Trail.
Rim Rock Nature Trail
Location: Borders the Campground Loop C entrance and continues till South Rim Visitor Center
Length: 2-miles
To walk along the canyon while hiking, embark on Rim Rock Nature Trail. It takes you along its exhilarating edge. You can also gaze at the captivating sight of the Gunnison River slowly flowing to its narrow trajectory.
Moreover, there are numerous beautiful and mesmerizing plants. These include pinyon pine, Utah juniper, sagebrush, Gambel oak, etc. You might even observe wildlife such as mountain lions or bobcats.
If you prefer a longer trail, we recommend starting from Oak Flat lands and moving towards the Uplands Trail junction. This merges into Rim Rock Trail, which leads to South Rim Visitor Center. Another option for a moderate hiking trail is Warner Point Nature Trail.
Oak Flat Loop Trail
Location: Near the Visitor Center
Length: 2 miles
Generally considered the strenuous route, Oak Flat Loop Trail is an excellent choice if you love challenges. It gets narrow in some places. So, we wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. It is also worth noting that this trail requires a permit if you plan on trekking.
It is one of the steep and elevated trails in Black Canyon National Park. So, we recommend taking a hiking stick to maintain balance. You can also start at the right side of the loop if you don’t feel comfortable on the edge side.
Moreover, this trail is one of the best for its variety of wildlife and flowers. You can witness animals such as deer and bunny rabbits. Moreover, aspens grow here as well.
As you enter the Black Canyon’s designated Wilderness Areas, you can see the beautiful Gambel Oak flowering despite the icy weather. Moreover, if you head west from here, you pass through a forest of chokecherry and Douglas fir. We highly recommend it if you love vibrance and greenery.
Camping
Camping is one of our favorite outdoor activities in Black Canyon National Park in winter. However, only the South Rim Campground Loop A is open during wintertime. That is because of safety precautions during the snow.
Also, if you’re planning on backcountry camping with your peers, it is worth mentioning that it is only allowed at Pulpit Rock Overlook. You would also require a wilderness permit for this.
You should also be aware that there are no water facilities in the Black Canyon National Park in winter. Bring 4 quarts of water per person for daily use. You can fill water from a clean stream in case you run out.
Explore the Depth of the Inner Canyon
If you have the necessary experience and skill, do not forget to explore the magnificence of the inner Canyon. You would need a Wilderness Permit for this. You can easily get one from the Visitor Center.
It is also worth noting that we do not recommend it for beginners or people who lack the necessary expertise. The Inner Canyon is a remote location. That means rescue operations are hard to carry out. You need to bring all the required equipment with you.
Apart from the travel essentials, do not forget to bring high-energy food. Moreover, we also advise bringing a flashlight with extra batteries, just in case you need help looking around.
Ranger Programs
Each winter, depending on snow conditions, rangers guide through the process of snowshoeing. You can bring your snowshoes, but they’re also available for purchase at the park. We highly recommend this program for beginners. You do not need any special skills to participate in it.
Moreover, you will be given directions by rangers. So, you don’t have to worry about your lack of expertise.
Stargazing
Black Canyon National Park is a Dark Sky Park. That means that the stars are visible clearly in the night sky. It is truly a mesmerizing sight to behold. If you love the tranquility of staring at these mighty heavenly bodies suspended in the sky, you do not want to miss out on Black Canyon.
However, check the weather conditions and relevant information from the Visitors Center beforehand.
Black Canyon Travel Essentials:
- Wear sturdy hiking boots with good soles as the snow can be slippery.
- Bring a good water bottle when traveling. The water facilities are closed during winters. Drink ample amounts of water. You do not want to be dehydrated.
- Bring a good hiking stick if you plan on trekking. It can come in handy for maintaining balance.
- If you plan on hiking in the snow, bring snowshoes. They’ll also be available on-site, so do not worry if you lack the space for them in your luggage. We recommend the Retrospec Drifter Snowshoes for their excellent traction.
- It is advisable to bring bear spray for safety. We recommend the Mace Brand Bear Spray due to its ease of use.
- A First Aid Kit is necessary. An injury can occur on your trip, so it is best to stay prepared.
- There are no signals available. Better bring a map or compass in case you get lost.
- Sun protection is important. Wear sunscreen.
- Bring a water filter in case you run out of water. They will allow you to fill up from the river. We recommend the Sawyer Filtration System due to its lightweight design.
What Is the Best Time of Year To Visit Black Canyon National Park?
Summer is generally considered to be the best time of the year to visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. That is because the weather is warmer and more tolerable during this time. The north entrance is also open, so there’s more to explore in comparison.
However, you will need to pay the entrance fee in summer, unlike in winter. The permits for Wilderness Areas can be also harder to obtain as they are limited and often given on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.
Key Takeaways
One’s preferences are subjective. We, therefore, have a less ‘fixed’ approach on the best time to visit Black Canyon National Park.
Apart from the obvious weather-related likes and dislikes, we often ask our viewers this:
Do you want to spend time alone? Or do you enjoy the company of fellow travelers?
If you like your solitude, Black Canyon National Park in winter will be perfect for you. If not, you can traverse this mesmerizing landscape in the summer. The weather will be warmer, and you can explore a more expansive area.
Whichever month you decide to arrive here, do not forget the travel essentials. And enjoy! It will be one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited.