What’s the Best Season to Visit Grand Canyon National Park?

The Grand Canyon is a land of extremes with temperatures ranging from sub-zero to 120° F. Because of this, it’s important to take the season into consideration when planning your trip to this natural wonder.

The South Rim, near Flagstaff, the North Rim, close to the Utah border, and the bottom of the canyon each have their own climates with temperatures and precipitation varying greatly. Plan ahead and check the weather at each destination you’ll be visiting rather than assuming it will be the same across the board.

Our favorite times of year to visit Grand Canyon National Park are spring and fall, with winter and summer bringing extreme and challenging weather. Here’s what to expect in each season.

Spring (April through mid-June)

Spring is one of the best times to visit Grand Canyon National Park. Because the South Rim sits at 7,000 feet above sea level, spring temperatures are quite cool and the occasional snowstorm isn’t unheard of in May. In April, expect highs in the 50s and 60s on the South Rim, with temperatures warming to highs in the 80s in June. Weather is often dry and breezy, making it a great time to explore area trails, make the trek into the canyon, or go on a Colorado River rafting trip. Temperatures tend to be 20-30 degrees hotter at Phantom Ranch than they are on the South Rim.

If you choose to visit the park in spring, bring a pair of microspikes and a set of trekking poles in case you encounter portions of the trails that are icy or snowy. Layers will be your best friend on early-season trips, especially if you’re hiking down to Phantom Ranch.

Grand Canyon’s North Rim opens for the 2023 season on June 2. Most years, this happens on May 15. Because the North Rim is more than 8,000 feet in elevation, expect colder temperatures and snow to last later into the year.

Summer (mid-June through August)

Summer months see the highest visitation numbers for the park, but hot, dry weather and frequent afternoon thunderstorms make it our least favorite season to plan a trip. Temperatures at the South Rim are often in the 80s and a lack of shade on trails makes it feel even hotter. Hiking into the canyon in the summer months can and has been fatal due to extremely hot temperatures. On average, temperatures increase 5.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation lost at the Grand Canyon. It might be a pleasant morning when you start hiking Bright Angel Trail from the rim, but it can quickly get unbearably hot. In the summer it’s often 30 degrees warmer at the river than it is at the rim, with temperatures having reached 120° F several times.

Remember, hiking down is always easier than hiking back up. If you do choose to hike into the canyon in the summer, start early in the morning, bring plenty of water and a filter so that you can make more clean drinking water if needed.

Summer thunderstorms can pose lightning strike risk and also cause flash floods. Always check the forecast before heading into the canyon and skip your hike if rain is forecasted anywhere in the area.

The North Rim is the most pleasant part of Grand Canyon National Park to visit in the summer. Average highs are in the 70s and fewer visitors make it to this part of the park, so crowds are thinner.

Fall (September through November)

Autumn is another great season to visit the canyon. Temperatures fall back down to the 50s and 60s at the South Rim and the 90s in September and 70s in November at the canyon floor. Fall is one of the driest seasons in the park too. Late summer storms or early season snows do occasionally occur, so always check the forecast before setting out. The higher elevation North Rim closes on October 15.

Fall is also one of the best times to see elk in the park. Mating season, known as “the rut,” leads bull elk to tussle and bugle over females. Elk can be aggressive, so stay at least 100 feet from them at all times.

Winter (December through March)

While a desert park like Grand Canyon might not conjure images of a winter wonderland, the South Rim does sit at 7,000 feet, making it a high desert prone to snowy weather. Winter is the best time of year to visit if you want to escape the crowds, but cold and snow can make it challenging to hike.

Frequent, light snowfalls and cold temperatures at the South Rim mean that trails and roads are often icy. Average highs are in the 40s, with lows dropping down to the teens and 20s, and snowfall averages 50-100 inches per year.

Hiking into the canyon on steep trails with sheer drop offs is dangerous when there is snow or ice on the ground. If you plan to visit in winter, stick to the trails along the rim and always check for road and trail closures in advance at www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.