5 Steps to Planning the Perfect Trip to the Grand Canyon

Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!

STEP ONE: Choose a Time of Year

>> When should I go? <<

Your first task is going to be quick — we’re just getting warmed up.  Grab a piece of paper, a notebook, a spreadsheet…whatever it is you like to take notes on.  You’ll want to keep it handy so that you can keep your research in one place.

Right now, let’s choose a time of year that you want to visit the Grand Canyon.

Each season in this park is unique and can give you a completely different experience depending on when you go.  Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time of year for you!

Note:  You may already have a pretty good idea of when you will be able to go.  For example, traveling during the summer might be the only time of year you can take your family.  I totally understand, but keep reading.  Let’s make sure you know what to expect while you’re there.

SPECIAL NOTE: 

Grand Canyon National Park encompasses two areas, the South Rim and the North Rim.  These rims are separated by a 4-hour drive.  Most people visit the South Rim, which stays open year-round and offers more hotels, restaurants, and hiking trails.  The North Rim is higher in elevation, more remote, and less-visited than the South Rim.  Some visitor services are seasonally available at the North Rim.

In order to move forward in your trip planning, you’ll need to decide if you’ll be visiting just the South Rim, just the North Rim, or both. By using the information in Step One and Two of this series, you’ll learn about each rim, when to visit, and how long to stay. 

In general, I recommend visiting the South Rim if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon before.  On the South Rim, you’ll see some amazing views, learn about the history of the area, and have access to some of the most dramatic hiking trails in the country.

If you have several days to spend in the area {or if you’re also visiting Zion National Park and don’t have time to drive down to the South Rim}, you might consider adding on a visit to the North Rim.  This rim is stunning and peaceful, but the activities available here are limited. 

Winter (December – February)

A visit to the Grand Canyon during the winter is challenging, but it is an absolutely magical experience.

The South Rim stays open year-round, weather permitting, and is a great place to go to experience the immensity of the canyon. 

All roads to the North Rim close on December 1 – May 15 each year, so a winter visit here is extremely difficult.

What You Need to Know

• The snow scares away most travelers, so winter is a fantastic time of year to visit the park if you don’t want to fight through the crowds!

• Daytime winter temperatures in the Grand Canyon often hover around freezing, so be sure to pack warm winter clothes.

• Visitor services {lodging and dining} are available on the South Rim year-round.  Trails are often icy or snow-covered and can be dangerous.  Traction devices, proper footwear, and trekking poles are recommended if you plan on hiking.

• A backcountry permit is required to visit the North Rim during the winter when the roads are closed.  All visitor services typically close down in mid-October {no water or restrooms available at that point}, but roads stay open until December 1.

• Plan on most {if not all} of Grand Canyon’s trails to be covered in snow for the first couple of miles at least.  Once you get deeper into the canyon, the snow typically disappears.  Click here for more information on winter hiking.

• The popular Hermits Rest Shuttle doesn’t run from December 1 – February 28, and the road is open to private vehicles at this time.

Spring (March – May)

Springtime is a time of transition in the park.  As the snow starts to melt away, the wildlife begins to emerge.  The weather begins to clear {though the occasional snow storm is not unheard of} and the trails become more accessible.

Crowding during the spring is moderate because, in many ways, this is one of the best times to be in the park.   The temperatures are comfortably in the 50s-70s on the rim.   If you plan on a long hike, the bottom of the canyon isn’t deathly hot yet, with temperatures typically in the 80s and 90s.

What You Need to Know

• Everything is up and running at the South Rim year-round.  The Hermits Rest Shuttle starts running again on March 1 and private vehicles are no longer allowed on that road.

• The North Rim comes alive on May 15 when the roads open for the season.  The lodge, visitor center, and restaurants open up on that same day.

• Expect mostly dry, but breezy weather during the spring.   Wind advisories are common during this time of year.

Summer (June – August)

The great thing about the Grand Canyon during the summer is that everything is open!  You’ll have numerous lodging and dining options, plus access to all of the main points of interest, tours, programs, and visitor centers on the South Rim and the North Rim.

Your options are endless during the summer, but that comes with a price….crowds.  Be prepared to share the fantastic sights of the Grand Canyon with people from all over the world during the popular summer season.

What You Need to Know

• As mentioned above, the crowd level during the summer is high.  This will impact your trip in some way, especially on the South Rim.  You will likely not be able to get places as quickly as you’d like or enjoy the sights without distraction.  July and August are the busiest months.

• To better avoid the crowds and traffic jams common to the Grand Canyon during the summer, you’ll definitely want to have a solid plan, like this detailed itinerary!  Having a plan will minimize wasted time and make your trip much more enjoyable.

• Summer is thunderstorm season in the Grand Canyon.  During the months of July and August, torrential rains, hail, lightning, flash floods, and damaging winds are common during the daytime hours.

• The summer heat can be DEADLY.  Temperatures on the rim are usually around 80 degrees, but the bottom of the canyon typically sees temperatures well above 100 degrees.  Drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen, and stay inside during the hottest parts of the day.

Autumn (September – November)

A quiet solitude begins to fall over the Grand Canyon landscape as the busy summer crowds start to die off.   A chill fills the air as the animals and plants begin to prepare for winter…and it’s magical!

Autumn in the Grand Canyon is fabulous.  A few highlights of a trip during this season include fantastic wildlife watching, comfortable temperatures, and more elbow room to enjoy the sights.

What You Need to Know

• While September still sees a fair amount of crowds, it is still less than during the summer months.  By October, the summer rains have died down and the weather is often pleasant.  A visit in November is nice but can be unpredictable because of incoming winter weather.

• Visitor services {including water and restrooms} on the North Rim close down mid-October.

• Visitor services on the South Rim remain open year-round.

Well, there you have it!  I know….it’s a lot of information about the seasons of the Grand Canyon.  But now you’re ready to make a decision.

Let’s complete Step One.  Decide what season is going to be best for your trip to the Grand Canyon and write it down!

Now you’re ready for Step Two.

Click NEXT to find out how long you should plan to stay in the park!