Sun path · Denver
Sunrise & sunset direction in Denver
See which way the sun rises and sets in Denver, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Denver on Wed, Sep 23
The sun rises at 90°, E and sets at 270°, W in Denver, reaching a peak elevation of 50° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 6m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Denver
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 90°, E | 270°, W |
| June solstice | 58°, ENE | 302°, WNW |
| Equinox | 89°, E | 271°, W |
| December solstice | 120°, ESE | 240°, WSW |
Shooting the light in Denver
Denver’s light is high-altitude light. At 1,600 meters the air is thin and dry, so midday sun is harsher than the latitude suggests - but golden hour is unusually crisp and clean, and clear days are the rule rather than the exception.
Geography sets the schedule: the Rockies stand to the west, so the sun drops behind the peaks a little before true sunset, while sunrise works in reverse - first light climbs down the Front Range in pink alpenglow before it reaches the city. Look west at dawn, not east.
Where photographers go
City Park (Ferril Lake)
The classic dawn shot: skyline and mountain backdrop frontlit by sunrise, doubled in the lake.
Red Rocks Park
Morning light warms the sandstone fins; arrive before the amphitheatre crowds.
Lookout Mountain
Evening panorama back over the city as the plains fall into blue hour and the grid lights up.
Sloan's Lake
Sunset silhouettes the Front Range with the skyline reflected at the water line.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Denver?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun rises in Denver at 90°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Denver in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Denver at 240°, WSW (west-southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Denver?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun reaches about 50° above the horizon at its highest point in Denver.
