When to Go

Summer is the busiest season, with July experiencing the greatest crowds. However, a spring or fall visit gives you two advantages: fewer people and cooler temperatures. In summer, especially in years with little rainfall, daytime temperatures can reach into the 90s. Winter brings even more solitude, as all but one section of campsites are shut down and only about 2 miles of South Rim Road, the park's main road, are plowed.

November through March is when the snow hits, with an average of about 3 to 8 inches of it monthly. March through April and July and August are the rainiest, with about an inch of precipitation each month. June is generally the driest month. Temperatures at the bottom of the canyon are about 8 degrees warmer than at the rim.

Festivals and Events

Cattleman's Days. Held in July at the Gunnison fairgrounds, this 120-year-old rodeo is the nation's oldest continuous rodeo and the fourth-oldest professional rodeo. Other events include a horse show and a parade. www.cattlemensdays.com

Paonia Cherry Days.One of Colorado's longest-running annual events, this small-town festival on the 4th of July includes a parade, food, crafts, sidewalk sales, and a variety of entertainment celebrating local cherry crops (and the other fruits that have made Paonia famous). www.paoniacherrydays.com.