The best time to visit Grand Canyon.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ค. 2024
- Grand Canyon is spectacular any time of year, and I could say the best time to visit is any time you can get there, but that would be a cop-out, and also, there would be no reason for you to watch this video.
Mistakenly, visitors often have the impression that Grand Canyon has consistently warm and sunny weather. But, sitting at an altitude of 7,000 feet (2,100 m) at South Rim and 8,000 feet (2,400 m) at North Rim , with a descent of about a mile to the Canyon floor, Grand Canyon is subject to weather extremes. It can be covered in snow with frigid temperatures in the Winter and have dangerously hot weather in the Summer.
Peak season at Grand Canyon has evolved. The busiest months are now May and October! The busiest times are times to avoid. Wait times at the gate to enter the park can stretch to hours, and there are lines at the free shuttle bus stops and at the restaurants and attractions. Parking is frustrating and difficult to find. People block the views. If you can avoid it, peak season is NOT the best time to visit Grand Canyon.
The quietest and cheapest time to visit the Canyon is Winter, particularly January and February, when visitation rates are less than 20% of the Peak.
During the Winter room rates drop meaningfully, often close to 80% less than peak room rates. A room at Maswik Lodge costs $330 in May 2024, but with the right sales, only $69 in January. In Winter parking is easy, crowds are non-existent, and you can stand in popular spots on the rim at noon and still be by yourself . But, for the casual visitor, Winter weather is unpredictable. At minimum, you need to bring clothes for sub-freezing temperatures, often you will need traction devices for your shoes on icy trails, and in recent years the Park Service has closed the Rim Drive for snow at the drop of a hat. This year, for the first time, they have started closing the rim drive in anticipation of storms, whether they block the road or not! Any time a storm blows through, you can experience reduced ability to visit the popular viewpoints on the rim. Plus, during big storms, accidents are common on the roadways, and in severe weather, even the road to the South Gate can close. You should always consult the AZ551.gov traffic website and a weather website as well. Winter is great if you live close to the Canyon and reschedule a trip easily-I just cancelled my most recent two reservations because of bad weather. But if you are traveling a distance or have a limited window of time to visit, I would avoid the Winter months.
Now, there is a time in late August where the Summer heat mellows and the families stay home to prepare for the school year and crowds decrease along with room rates. But it is still pretty hot at the Canyon. That is not the time I recommend.
The time I recommend is the edge of the Spring and Fall visitation peaks. The first few weeks of March and the Month of November up until the Thanksgiving Holiday can give you moderate weather, thinning crowds, and reasonable room rates. Of course, in both March and November, snow and bitter cold is possible, but in general the skies are clear and the temperatures are mild.
Now, to narrow it further, if it has been a snowy year, in Spring there may still be ice on the pathways and trails, particularly if you hike into the Canyon. In November, although there may be occasional fresh snowfall, it has not packed into ice, and the trails will generally be clear and safe.
So, my most specific recommendation of the best time to visit Grand Canyon is the weeks in November before the Thanksgiving holiday. That’s the South Rim.
For North Rim, the answer is easier. North Rim visitor facilities are only open from May 15 to October 15 yearly, although the North Rim Road may be open until December 1, weather permitting.
There are no room discounts on North Rim, and the visitation rate remain about the same all season long, with peaks during “rim to rim” season, generally May 15 to June 1 and October 1 to October 15. Then, heat conditions in the deep canyon tend to be more endurable.
But a specific natural phenomena exists that makes the best date to visit North Rim easy, and that is the Fall foliage. There are massive strands of Aspen and sprinkles of Maples along the drive and at North Rim that make an Autumn visit a two-for, you get the Canyon vistas, plus you get the beautiful foliage. Fall comes early at the high altitudes on North rim, and the peak foliage dates vary by year, but I would recommend visiting from September 8 to October 8. That is before the worst crush of rim to rim visitors, and with the full spectacle of the fall colors. And, if you stay at the North Rim Lodge, no rooms have AC, so the cooling weather makes the visit more pleasant.
Wow, this is one of the best video out there. GC hiker, you have done it again. I've always enjoyed your videos. Wonderful place to hike and visit. Thank you so much for sharing and will share this great video with my family and friends. Good job 👍
Agree 👍
Me too.
Thanks so much, I am always pleased to be able to share what I have learned, and Grand Canyon is such a spectacular place, I hate to think of how many visitors get stuck in crowds at Mather Point and don't really get to appreciate the Canyon.
Agree👍
That was really detailed and comprehensive. I like that you didn't just say, visit there at this time because I say it is best. The supplementary information left us in no doubt that you were absolutely spot on with your recommendations. Being a 'mature' hiker I'm glad I have the flexibility. I hate hiking at weekends and school holidays and prefer the trail to myself. I hiked 10.26 miles on my last hike and saw 3 people. One couple and one solo hiker. Having a trail to yourself is definitely a bonus but the rim to rim or rim to river to rim would be popular at all times and unless you are hiking in mid winter then no doubt you will always encounter people. Another great video, well researched. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your kind comment. When I first started hiking, I think I felt more secure meeting people on the trial, but the more I hike, the more I like solitude. Even at Grand Canyon, if you start in the dark, you can avoid the crush of people and have the trail to yourself. On my last hike on South Kaibab (December), I was almost four miles into the hike before I met more than one hiker. This video took a lot of time to tack together, so your comment is very gratifying, thank you.
I agree, winter is when I can enjoy . The first few weeks of March and November are really good. When we hiked down, we did in February and it was awesome. Great video 👍I love the North Rim. Great advice. The aspens are truly amazing.
I agree.
👍
Thanks for your comment. Many first time visitors are not aware what a treat the Aspens are in Fall on North Rim. It is a double treat on North Rim in the Fall.
Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
👍
😀@@Mr.DsBackyard
Fun video. Kind of like getting a tour of the canyon, while learning some information about the best time to visit.😊
I couldn't agree with you more. He has done it again. Good job 👍
I would love to visit one of these days.
There are so many spectacular views of the Canyon, sometimes it is hard to choose which ones to feature. I am glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you for your comment.
@@FrankOldfield Aw, shucks!
@@melbanks2271 I very much hope you can make the visit, to me, it is well worth the effort.
Great video and I would love to go there one of these days that you mentioned on your video. I am not a big fan of crowds either. Thanks for sharing and good job.
❤
Somehow solitude seems to make nature more meaningful.
There was over an inch of snow when we were there and it was wonderful. Thanks for all the great information.
Thanks for watching. The snow can be beautiful, as long as it does not make hiking or travel hazardous!
Excellent advice you gave for all the various seasons.
Thanks for watching!
Great advice, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Useful analysis, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hey GC, great video! Hot Noise, interesting phrase. I enjoyed our visit when we went in May 2016 before Memorial Day. The North Rim is my favorite! We have eaten at that fred Flintstone place! Im not sure if it's still there.I do love the winter footage 😊
Thanks for watching. The Flinstone place is basically closed, although there is talk of getting it opened again, I think mostly it is just for RVs out front now. The Canyon is beautiful in Winter, but travel is a lot more unpredictable. I spent a little time in Asia and going to popular places because they are popular (hot noise) is a real thing. I appreciate your comment and ongoing support. 😀
Very nice, amazing
Thank you!
@@RationalTalk my pleasure
WOW, my husband & I are wanting to hike this & very much would like to have as little crowd as possible. Not sure if I’d like that much snow. But know I wouldn’t like that much crowd. Edge of peaks sound great!
It also depends on the year. Last year there was three feet of snow at the trailhead, this year just a trace. But November and March are usually very quiet. I hope you are able to make a visit!
Great video.
Thank you!
Great video and good job 👍
Thanks for watching!
I been to so many National Parks but the Grand Canyon is the only NP I haven’t been to yet. Thanks for the presentation and advice! I’ve learned some good advice and knowledge from watching this video! Thank you! I just Subscribed and followed to your TH-cam channel! 😊😊👍⬆️🔔🤝
Thanks so much. I hope you make it to Grand Canyon, it is truly remarkable. I have a bunch of videos about unusual things to do if you do make it there. Thanks for subscribing!
@@RationalTalk who knows maybe next time for vacation!😃
I think it would be worthwhile!