The best time to visit Grand Canyon.

Summary

The video offers an expert's perspective on the best times to visit the Grand Canyon, based on a decade of monthly visits. It advises against peak season due to crowds and weather extremes, suggesting quieter, cheaper January and February for South Rim, with easier access and lower rates. For North Rim, the ideal time is late September to October for fall foliage. The script provides practical tips for planning a Grand Canyon adventure, emphasizing the importance of considering weather and personal travel flexibility.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The best time to visit the South Rim of Grand Canyon is during the transition periods of the busy season, specifically in March or November, with November being more favorable.
• 🍁 For North Rim, the optimal time is from September 8th to October 8th to enjoy both the canyon vistas and the fall foliage.
• ❄️ Winter, particularly January and February, is the quietest and cheapest time to visit, with less than 20% of peak visitation rates, but weather can be unpredictable.
• 🏞️ The North Rim facilities are open from May 15th to October 15th, making this the only period to visit, and it's known for its beautiful fall colors.
• 🌡️ Weather extremes are a significant factor at the Grand Canyon, with potential snow in winter and dangerously hot temperatures in summer.
• 🚫 Peak season, now shifted to May and October, is not recommended due to crowded conditions, long lines, and difficulty in finding parking.
• 🏞️ The scenic Hermit's Rest Road is open to private cars from December 1st to February 28th, allowing for a more personal visit.
• 🏨 Lodging rates drop significantly in winter, sometimes by as much as 80%, making it an economical time to visit if weather permits.
• ⛄️ Winter weather requires appropriate clothing for subfreezing temperatures and often necessitates traction devices for icy trails.
• 🚗 Parking is easier and crowds are minimal in winter, allowing for a more solitary and peaceful experience at the canyon.
• ❌ Holiday weekends should be avoided regardless of the season due to high visitation and potential for fully booked accommodations.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?

The speaker suggests that the best time to visit the Grand Canyon is during the edge of the busy season, specifically in March or November for the South Rim, with November being better, and from September 8th to October 8th for the North Rim.

Why does the speaker believe that visiting the Grand Canyon in winter can be unpredictable?

The speaker considers winter weather at the Grand Canyon to be unpredictable, requiring visitors to bring clothes for subfreezing temperatures and often needing traction devices for icy trails. Additionally, the park service may close Rim Drive due to snow, and severe weather can lead to road closures.

What is the traditional peak season for visiting the Grand Canyon, and why does the speaker recommend avoiding it?

The traditional peak season for visiting the Grand Canyon is during the summer months, but the speaker recommends avoiding it because of the extreme weather conditions, long lines, crowded attractions, and difficulty in finding parking.

What is the significance of 'Lal' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to visiting the Grand Canyon?

'Lal' is a Chinese word meaning 'hot noise,' which describes the pleasure of being in a popular place among a crowd. The speaker uses this term to describe the special joy of visiting the Grand Canyon during its busy season.

Why does the speaker suggest that holiday weekends should be avoided when planning a visit to the Grand Canyon?

The speaker advises against holiday weekends due to the high number of visitors, leading to booked rooms, crowded parks, and the potential for spontaneous family trips that can make the experience less enjoyable.

What are the benefits of visiting the Grand Canyon during the winter months according to the speaker?

During winter, the speaker highlights benefits such as lower visitation rates, reduced room rates, easy parking, and the opportunity to visit spectacular viewpoints at one's own pace on the Hermits Rest Road.

How does the speaker describe the weather conditions at the Grand Canyon during summer and winter?

The speaker describes summer at the Grand Canyon as having dangerously hot weather, while winter can be covered in snow with frigid temperatures, leading to weather extremes.

What is the speaker's rationale for recommending the first few weeks of March and November for visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?

The speaker recommends these times due to moderate weather, thinning crowds, and reasonable room rates, with November being particularly better as it offers clear skies, mild temperatures, and the added benefit of Fall Foliage.

Why does the speaker consider the period from September 8th to October 8th as the best time to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon?

The speaker recommends this period because it coincides with the peak of Fall Foliage, offering visitors the combined spectacle of the canyon vistas and the beautiful colors of Aspen and Maple trees, along with more tolerable weather conditions.

What advice does the speaker give for those planning to visit the Grand Canyon during winter months?

The speaker advises that while winter can be a great time to visit if you live close and can reschedule easily, those traveling a distance or with limited time should avoid winter due to unpredictable weather and potential road closures.

Outlines

00:00

🌄 Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon: A Comprehensive Guide

The script discusses the best times to visit the Grand Canyon, with a focus on weather and crowd conditions. The speaker, who has extensive experience visiting the canyon, recommends avoiding peak season due to extreme weather and crowds. They suggest that the best times to visit the South Rim are in March and November, with November being preferable due to milder weather and fewer crowds. Winter is highlighted as the quietest and cheapest time, but unpredictable weather can be a challenge. The script also touches on the historical significance of the Grand Canyon as a popular American road trip destination and the evolution of peak visitation times.

05:02

🍂 Optimal Visiting Periods for South and North Rims

This paragraph delves into specific recommendations for visiting both the South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon. For the South Rim, the speaker advises visiting in early March or November, favoring November for its clear skies and mild temperatures. The North Rim is best visited from September 8th to October 8th to enjoy the fall foliage in addition to the canyon views. The speaker also addresses the challenges of winter visits, such as potential road closures and the need for winter gear, and suggests that late August offers a less crowded alternative to summer heat, despite still being warm. The script concludes with a reiteration of the Grand Canyon's year-round appeal and a wish for viewers to have a successful visit.

Keywords

💡Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, USA. It is a major tourist attraction known for its overwhelming size and grandeur. In the video, the Grand Canyon serves as the central theme, with the speaker discussing the best times to visit, based on their extensive experience visiting the canyon throughout the year.

💡South Rim

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited part, offering panoramic views of the canyon. The video mentions that the best time to visit the South Rim is during the transitional months of March or November, with November being particularly recommended due to milder weather and fewer crowds.

💡North Rim

The North Rim is less accessible and less visited than the South Rim, offering a more remote experience. The video suggests that the best time to visit the North Rim is from September 8th to October 8th to enjoy the fall foliage in addition to the canyon views.

💡Weather Extremes

The video discusses how the Grand Canyon's high altitude leads to extreme weather conditions, with snow and frigid temperatures in winter and dangerously hot weather in summer. This is a key factor in determining the best times to visit, as weather can impact visitor safety and enjoyment.

💡Visitation Peaks

The video explains that the busiest times, or 'peaks', of visitation at the Grand Canyon have shifted to what were once considered shoulder seasons, specifically May and October. These times are now less recommended due to crowded conditions and long wait times.

💡Lal

Lal is a Chinese term mentioned in the video, which describes the joy of being in a popular place among a crowd. The speaker uses this term to describe the unique pleasure of visiting the Grand Canyon during its busy season, despite the crowds.

💡Road Trip

The concept of a 'road trip' is discussed in the context of the Grand Canyon being a traditional part of the Great American Coast to Coast Road Trip. The video suggests that this cultural tradition contributes to the busyness of the canyon during certain holidays and weekends.

💡Holiday Weekends

The video advises avoiding holiday weekends for a visit to the Grand Canyon due to the high volume of visitors and fully booked accommodations. This is particularly relevant for understanding the best times to visit to avoid crowds.

💡Winter Visitation

The video describes winter, specifically January and February, as the quietest and cheapest time to visit the Grand Canyon, with visitation rates less than 20% of peak times. However, it also warns of unpredictable winter weather and the potential for road closures.

💡Fall Foliage

The video highlights the beauty of fall foliage on the North Rim, particularly the Aspen and Maple trees, which add an extra layer of attraction for visitors during the autumn months. This natural spectacle is a key reason for recommending a visit to the North Rim in September and October.

💡Rim Drive

Rim Drive refers to the road that runs along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, offering access to many viewpoints. The video mentions that during winter, this road may be closed due to snow, affecting access to popular viewpoints.

Highlights

Grand Canyon is spectacular any time of year.

Best time to visit is anytime you can get there.

Opinion is based on visiting the canyon at least once a month over the last decade.

Grand Canyon experiences weather extremes with snow in winter and dangerously hot weather in summer.

Traditionally visited in summer as part of the Great American Coast to Coast Road Trip.

Peak season at Grand Canyon has evolved to May and October due to awareness of weather extremes.

Busy season has its own pleasure with crowds and a festive atmosphere.

3-day weekends and holidays get busy no matter what time of year.

Winter is the quietest and cheapest time to visit with less than 20% of peak visitation rates.

Hermits Rest Road is open to private cars from December 1st to February 28th in winter.

Winter room rates can be significantly cheaper, often close to 80% less than peak rates.

Winter weather is unpredictable, and you may need to bring clothes for subfreezing temperatures.

Late August sees a decrease in crowds and room rates but is still hot.

Recommended time to visit South Rim is the first few weeks of March and November.

North Rim facilities are only open from May 15th to October 15th.

Fall Foliage makes North Rim visits in September and October particularly special.

Recommended best time to visit North Rim is from September 8th to October 8th for Fall colors.

Transcripts

Grand Canyon is spectacular any time of

year and I could say the best time to

visit is anytime you can get there but

that would be a cop out and also there'd

be no reason for you to watch this

video I will provide specific dates for

south rim and North Rim last because

only about 10% of visitors make it to

North Rim but first I'll give you my

rationale my opinion is based on

visiting the canyon at least one once a

month over the last decade and staying

between two to four days all times of

the year and in all

weather I've spent more than 300 nights

staying at Grand Canyon plus my opinion

is as a visitor like you not an employee

I don't get anything from anybody for

making these

recommendations traditionally Grand

Canyon was visited in summer often as

part of the Great American Coast to

Coast Road Trip trip like the grisales

and like my first visit more than 50

years

ago I think mistakenly visitors often

have the impression that Grand Canyon

has consistently warm and sunny weather

I mean Arizona is the land of

suus but sitting at an altitude of 7,000

feet at south rim and 8,000 ft 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 weather is the number one cause

of visitor rescues at Grand

Canyon now there is a special joy to

visit in Grand Canyon in the busy season

the Chinese have a word Lal literally

meaning hot noise that the describes the

pleasure of being in a popular place

among a crowd of people Time Square on

New Year's Eve is an American example

being among the American families and

international tourists who mob the

canyon in High season can be a pleasure

of its

own and peak season at Grand Canyon has

evolved perhaps because of Greater

awareness of the weather extremes the

highest levels of visitation are in what

used to be the shoulder season

the busiest months now are May and

October and with all due respect to L

now I think the busiest times are times

to

avoid weight 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

additionally I think because Grand

Canyon is historically part of America's

psyche and the Great American road trip

3-day weekends and holidays get busy no

matter what time of year the canyon is a

one-day drive from a number of major

cities and families can spontaneously

load up the car on a holiday week

and have an

adventure The Lodges do a nice job

decorating for the holidays and it's a

joy to sit before a wood fire on a cold

evening but during the winter holidays

the rooms will be booked and the park

will be

packed I recommend avoiding holiday

weekends no matter what the

season now 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 an added bonus is that the Hermits

Rest Road is open to private cars from

December 1st to February

28th allowing you to visit some of the

most spectacular viewpoints from your

private car at your own pace the rest of

the year you have to take a

bus during winter room rates drop

meaningfully often close to 80% less

than Peak room rates a room at massick

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 there by

yourself I really like Grand Canyon in

winter but but for the Casual visitor

winter weather is

unpredictable at minimum you need to

bring clothes for subfreezing

temperatures and often you'll need

traction devices for your shoes on icy

trails 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've

started closing the Rim Drive in

anticipation of storms whether the road

is dangerous or

not anytime a storm blows through you

can experience reduced ability to visit

the popular viewpoints on the rim plus

during big storms traffic accidents are

common and in severe weather even the

road to Southgate can

close you should always consult the

az511.gov traffic website and a weather

website as well winter is great if you

live close to the canyon and can

reschedule a trip easily I just canceled

one because of bad weather but if you're

traveling a distance or you have a

limited window of time to visit I would

avoid the winter

months now there is a time in late

August when the summer heat Mellows and

fam stay home to prepare for the school

year and crowds decrease along with room

rates but it's still pretty hot at the

Canyon that is not a time I would

recommend no 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 but in general the skies

are clear and the temperatures are mild

now to narrow it further if it's 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 south rim now for North

Rim the answer is faster and easier

North Rim visitor facilities are only

open from May 15th to October 15th

yearly although the north rim Road may

be open until December 1st weather

permitted

there are no room discounts on North Rim

and the visitation rate remains about

the same all season long with Peaks

during rimto Rim season generally May

15th to June 1st and October 1st to

October 15th at that point the 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 twofer you get the canyon

Vistas plus you get the beautiful

foliage fall comes early at the high

altitudes on the north rim and Peak

foliage dates vary year to year but I

recommend visiting from sep September

8th to October

8th that's before the worst Crush of Rim

toim visitors and with the full

spectacle of the Fall colors and if you

stay at the north rim Lodge No rooms

have air conditioning so the cooling

weather makes the visit more pleasant

well I'll go back on my word and say

Grand Canyon is spectacular year round

and you should go whenever you're

able but if you have

flexibility the best time to visit South

Rim is on the edge of the busy season

March or November with November being

better and the best time to visit North

Rim is from September 8th to October 8th

for both the views and the Fall

Foliage I wish you the best of luck in

planning your Grand Canyon adventure and

thank you for

watching