Gallup sits at about 2,000 metres elevation and has a high desert climate — hot summers, cold winters, and low humidity year-round. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for visiting, with warm days and cool nights.
August is the month to come if you want to see the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which runs for several days in the middle of the month. It's the cultural high point of Gallup's year and worth planning around. Summer afternoons bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms that cool things down quickly and make for dramatic skies over the red rock mesas.
Winter can be cold and occasionally snowy, but the dry air and low humidity make it feel less harsh than comparable temperatures elsewhere. The Indian trading posts and downtown are open year-round regardless of season.