Temperatures Vary Heavily Between the Top & Bottom of the Canyon

Hiking Down to the Colorado River - A 25°F difference between the top and bottom of the canyon is very typical. Always check the weather for both locations before any hike or backpacking trip.

• National Weather Service - 7-Day Forecast: Grand Canyon South Rim Village (top of the canyon)

• National Weather Service - 7-Day Forecast: Phantom Ranch (bottom of the canyon)

Same Day Comparison: Top vs. Bottom - The screenshot below is simply an example of the weather difference. The top of the canyon may be comfortable and breezy in the mid 70’s, while the bottom is hot and dangerous at 100°+.

When Should I Visit?

The following excerpt was taken from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center website, and I’ve found it to be spot on:

Visit the North Rim Between May and October

The summer season is always the busiest for the Grand Canyon, but the majority of the tourists venture towards the South Rim at this time. If you visit the North Rim, you’ll be able to enjoy a more isolated and personal experience. As an added bonus, the North Rim tends to have cooler temperatures than other areas of the Grand Canyon, providing more relief from the summer heat. The North Rim is also closed during the winter months, so you’re better off planning on visiting this area between the spring and fall anyway.

Check Out the South Rim in the Fall

The most popular area of the Grand Canyon is bound to have crowds year-round, but you can avoid the biggest rush if you choose to visit the South Rim during the fall season. Not only is there less tourism because summer has ended, but the cooler weather can make nature hikes and biking less sweaty.

Visit the West Rim During the Spring

While not officially part of the Grand Canyon National Park, the West Rim has plenty of fun attractions such as whitewater rafting, quality dining, and the 4,000-foot high Skywalk. This area is the most accessible and enjoyable during the spring months before it gets too hot. While most attractions are offered year-round, some close down for the evening. Be sure to get tickets and make arrangements to visit during the daylight hours.

Resources

• US News - Best Times to Visit the Grand Canyon

• Grand Canyon Visitor Center - The Best Times to Visit, The Worst Times to Visit

• NPS.gov - Plan Your Visit: Grand Canyon National Park

Up to Trip Prep Page Index ^

Visit as Close to Offseason as Possible

If you’re anywhere near the crowded areas above, you’re going to see a lot of foot traffic. Unfortunately it really kills the vibe at times. Even a stroll down at Phantom Ranch feels more like NYC’s Central Park.

Our Recommendation - if you plan on hiking or backpacking down to the bottom of the canyon, time your trip either during or just outside of the offseason. March, October and November are all great months. Given the distance and elevation gain of these rim-to-rim hikes, you’re better off doing them in cooler weather anyway.

Visit the North Rim

Yes, There’s a Shuttle - It’s a four hour roundabout drive from the South Rim Visitor Center to its North Rim counterpart, BUT you can get a shuttle which runs twice a day during peak season. The North Rim area is always significantly less crowded, and per above, a little cooler in temperature as well.

• Trans-CanyonShuttle.com - Rim-to-Rim Hiker Shuttle Schedule & Information

Our Recommendation - If solitude is important to you, one approach would be a rim-to-rim backpacking trip from south to north. Backpack out, and spend an extra day or two to hike around the north rim area while you’re out there. Then take the shuttle back when you’re ready. See our Day HIking and Backpacking sections for more details.

Check Out Lesser Known Hiking Trails at the South Rim

We hiked both Hermits Rest and Horseshoe Mesa during peak season weekends (May and September) on two separate occasions. Both days, we hardly saw anyone on else on the trail. Horseshoe Mesa was especially impressive. See our Day Hiking section for more details.