Traditional confinement production management limits exposure of pigs to sunlight. With vitamin D primarily obtained from the diet, producers risk suboptimal vitamin D status. Ten weanling pigs (67.6 ± 6.1 kg; 76d ± 11) were randomly divided into control (CON, n = 5, traditional swine confinement) or sun (SUN, n = 5, exposed to one hour of sunlight at solar noon for 2-weeks during the summer solstice and fall equinox) groups. Blood samples were collected via cranial cava venipuncture before and after the 2-week sunlight exposure to determine serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Following fall sun exposure, pigs were slaughtered and liver and kidney tissue collected and frozen. Expression (mRNA) of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the enzymes CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 were determined. Serum 25(OH)D concentration did not differ (P = 0.1) before summer sunlight exposure (39.5 ± 2.6 ng/mL). Sunlight exposure increased (P = 0.001) serum concentration of 25(OH)D by 54.5% in SUN pigs during summer exposure, with 25(OH)D 87.5% greater (P = 0.001) compared with CON pigs (66.5 ± 4.8 vs 35.5 ± 2 ng/mL, respectively). Serum 25(OH)D concentration returned to CON values (P = 0.3) by the fall exposure period (45.1 ± 2.1 ng/mL). Following fall sun exposure, serum 25(OH)D concentration was again increased (P < 0.001) in SUN compared with CON pigs (80.8 ± 3.3 vs. 39.9 ± 3 ng/mL). CYP27B1 mRNA expression was decreased in kidney (P = 0.03) but increased in the liver (P = 0.05) of SUN pigs when compared with CON pigs. The relative mRNA expression of VDBP, VDR and CYP2R1 did not differ (P > 0.05) among pigs. In conclusion, 2-week sunlight exposure at high altitude during the summer solstice and fall equinox increases serum concentration of 25(OH)D and influences expression of CYP27B1 in kidney and liver of sun exposed pigs. Limited sun exposure enhances vitamin D status in confinement-raised pigs and may improve health and production outcomes dependent on vitamin D.