Go to the Grand Canyon in Winter (Useful Suggestions + Issues To Do)
Winter is usually referred to as the “secret season” on the Grand Canyon.
It is the season when the skies are the clearest, the temperatures are the good, and the vacationer numbers are on the lowest – that means it is a wonderful time to go to!
So when a pal of mine determined that she needed to go see the pure surprise over her Christmas break, I used to be all in for the Grand Canyon in December.
Many individuals do not realize that almost all of the US nationwide parks stay open all through the winter months; only a few of them shut, even after they get hit with snow and ice. And I feel that winter is perhaps my favourite time to go to the favored parks just like the Grand Canyon.
RELATED: 4 Reasons to Visit the American Southwest in Winter
Winter journey to the Grand Canyon: What to know
The very first thing to find out about visiting Grand Canyon Nationwide Park in winter is that the North Rim is NOT open to autos between October and Could. However the South Rim (the place the vast majority of folks go anyway) continues to be totally operational.
Winter brings colder temperatures (and even snow!) to the Grand Canyon, together with shorter days. But it surely additionally brings much less folks; the truth is, the Nationwide Park Service stories that fewer than 10 % of the full annual guests to the Grand Canyon (of which there are normally greater than 5 million) go to in December, January, and February.
This implies there are extra possibilities to take your time and really recognize the superior energy of Mom Nature that is on show for those who go to within the winter.
Issues to do on the Grand Canyon in winter
If you are going to go to the Grand Canyon throughout the winter months, I feel that 2 days is good to see the highlights. Listed here are all of the issues I like to recommend doing:
1. Cease in on the Customer Heart
Begin on the important Customer Heart, closest to all of the parking heaps and Mather Level. Right here yow will discover maps, speak to park rangers, discover some displays in regards to the canyon, and two 24-minute movies to select from: “Grand Canyon: A Journey of Surprise” (a park orientation movie) and “We Are Grand Canyon” (a movie specializing in the Grand Canyon’s 11 tribal communities). The customer middle is open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. every single day.
Throughout the plaza from the customer middle, you may additionally discover the primary park retailer, which is all the time price a browse.
You may additionally discover Shiny Angel Bike Leases on this important plaza. You won’t need to hire a motorcycle or go on a motorcycle tour if it is chilly or snowy out, however you’ll be able to cease in to the store’s cafe for a espresso or scorching chocolate – they’ve one of the best espresso on the Grand Canyon!
Professional tip: Test the NPS’ alerts/conditions for the Grand Canyon earlier than you go to so you may find out about any closures earlier than you get there.
2. If it is snowy: Go to viewpoints through park shuttle
Subsequent up, it is time to truly see the canyon! You may stroll to Mather Level from the primary customer middle in about 5 minutes, so I like to recommend beginning there. Afterwards, you’ll be able to hop on a park shuttle to see extra of the canyon.
The Grand Canyon has 4 totally different free shuttle routes, however solely 2 of them run throughout the winter (AKA from December 1 by February). These routes are the Village (Blue) Route and the Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route. The Orange Route is the one you need to hop on to get free transport to some viewpoints.
I like to recommend the shuttle possibility just because it beats driving within the snow*. Shuttles run at the very least each half-hour, however typically come extra typically if it is a busier day on the canyon.
Viewpoints price stopping at alongside the Orange Route embrace Yavapai Level, which can also be residence to the Yavapai Geology Museum (undoubtedly price popping inside to take a look at the displays); Yaki Level; and Pipe Creek Vista.
When you get again to the Customer Heart, you could possibly swap over to the Blue Route, which is able to take you into Grand Canyon Village. OR you could possibly hop again into your individual car to drive out to among the viewpoints that the shuttles do not service within the winter.
Extra data on the park shuttles will be discovered here.
*Be aware: You do not HAVE to take the shuttles within the winter. So long as the roads are open, you’re welcome to self-drive within the snow, and may go to a lot of the spots on the Orange and Blue routes with your individual car. However for those who’re not used to winter driving, I do NOT suggest driving within the park if there’s snow on the roads.
3. If there is no snow: Self-drive to different viewpoints
You will have two choices relating to self-driving on the South Rim. You may head east in direction of Desert View and the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance, or west by Grand Canyon Village and out in direction of Hermit’s Relaxation.
For those who go east, you may see among the viewpoints you’ll be able to entry by shuttle like Yaki Level. Different viewpoints I actually like alongside this route embrace Grandview Level and Moran Level. And you may attain Desert View on the finish, the place you’ll be able to climb 85 steps to the highest of the Desert View Watchtower for improbable views out over the canyon.
For those who go west, undergo Grand Canyon Village and onto the Hermit’s Relaxation highway. Through the summer season months, non-public autos aren’t allowed on this highway, and the viewpoints can solely be accessed by park shuttle. But it surely’s the other within the winter.
All of the viewpoints on the way in which to Hermit’s Relaxation are wonderful, together with Maricopa Level, Hopi Level, Mohave Level, The Abyss, and Pima Level.
4. Have lunch in Grand Canyon Village
After a morning of sightseeing, cease in for lunch at Grand Canyon Village. You might eat on the basic El Tovar Eating Room, the Shiny Angel Restaurant, or the Maswik Meals Courtroom (a preferred price range possibility).
My pal and I ate lunch on the Arizona Steakhouse, which is a part of Shiny Angel Lodge. The eating space has a view of the Grand Canyon close to the Shiny Angel Path trailhead, and is surprisingly reasonably priced contemplating the place it’s!
5. Do a brief hike*
If you wish to stretch your legs on the Grand Canyon, you completely can, even within the winter.
The best hike is to do a bit of the Rim Path, which stretches greater than 12 miles from Hermit’s Relaxation all the way in which to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Decide a viewpoint to begin at, and begin strolling; the path follows the canyon edge and is comparatively flat.
One other in style quick hike is to hike a part of the South Kaibab Path. Beginning on the South Kaibab Trailhead (positioned on the Orange shuttle route), you’ll be able to hike all the way down to a spot referred to as Ooh Ahh Level, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike (although notice that this can be a very steep and strenuous hike!).
Some folks may even enterprise slightly methods down the Shiny Angel Path, which begins close to the Shiny Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village.
*The explanation I do not suggest any more durable/longer day hikes is as a result of the Grand Canyon trails should not shoveled or salted or something throughout the winter, that means they’ll get snowy and really icy. I’d not suggest any lengthy hikes to anybody who is not a seasoned cold-weather hiker, as it may be very harmful this time of 12 months. If you are going to hike in any respect, pack some ice crampons like this!
6. Watch sundown on the canyon
Lastly, you may undoubtedly need to catch a winter sundown on the Grand Canyon. Days are shorter throughout this season, so you’ll be able to simply catch the sundown after which go have dinner. Sundown occasions on the Grand Canyon are round 5:15 p.m. in December, 5:30-6 p.m. in January, and 6-6:20 p.m. in February.
On my most up-to-date Grand Canyon journey, I watched the solar set at Mather Level. That is the most well-liked sundown spot just because it is near the customer middle and parking heaps – but it surely additionally has an ideal view!
Different in style sundown spots embrace Hopi Level and Yavapai Level.
No matter you do, simply be sure to stick round for a short while after the solar formally dips beneath the horizon. That is when the winter sky is commonly painted fairly shades of pink and purple.
And take a look at this Grand Canyon with kids information for tips about visiting with little ones!
Useful occasions to remember:
- The Grand Canyon is open three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months, although some roads could shut because of climate or snow elimination. (For instance, one of many days I used to be there, the Hermit’s Street was closed due to snow.)
- Customer Heart winter hours: 8 a.m. to three p.m.
- Park Retailer winter hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dawn/sundown occasions: In December, the solar is rising round 7:30 a.m. and setting between 5:10 and 5:25 p.m.; in January, the solar rises between 7:30 and seven:40 a.m. and units between 5:30 and 6 p.m.; by February, you are taking a look at dawn time between 7 and seven:30 a.m., and sundown between 6 and 6:20 p.m.
The place to remain close to the Grand Canyon
First issues first: I like to recommend staying as near the Grand Canyon as doable to your winter go to. That method, for those who run into snow or ice, your plans will not be affected fairly as a lot.
There are principally two choices I like to recommend:
- Staying inside Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
- Staying in Tusayan
Staying inside Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
Staying at one of many Grand Canyon’s historic South Rim lodges is sort of inconceivable throughout the busy summer season season except you ebook months (typically as much as a 12 months!) prematurely.
However for those who’re visiting within the winter (and particularly for those who’re visiting on a weekday and never throughout a college break), you’ll be able to typically discover open rooms on the Grand Canyon – typically even on the final minute.
Lodges to think about inside Grand Canyon Village embrace:
- El Tovar Hotel – Probably the most elegant of the bunch, and customarily considered among the finest historic Nationwide Park lodges.
- Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins – Iconic and rustic and proper on the South Rim.
- Kachina Lodge – A barely extra up to date lodge inside the park.
- Thunderbird Lodge – Centrally positioned in Grand Canyon Village.
- Yavapai Lodge – Additionally positioned within the coronary heart of Grand Canyon Village.
- Maswik Lodge – Situated in a extra wooded space and residential to the favored Maswik Meals Courtroom.
Staying in Tusayan, Arizona
For those who do not actually care whether or not you keep IN the nationwide park or not, I like to recommend staying in Tusayan, Arizona. This little city is simply a few miles from the South Entrance of Grand Canyon Nationwide Park; you’ll be able to simply attain the Customer Heart in 15-20 minutes in good climate, however the inns are sometimes way more reasonably priced.
I stayed on the Squire Resort At The Grand Canyon (previously the Greatest Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn) in Tusayan on New Yr’s Day and paid lower than $200 for a big double queen room. And that is throughout one of many busiest weeks of the winter season!
The Squire Resort is a big, resort-like lodge full with eating places, bars, a swimming pool, and even a bowling alley. It is the top-rated lodge in Tusayan on TripAdvisor, has loads of parking, and is a superb possibility for households. (Book your room here!)
Different related inns in Tusayan embrace:
An alternative choice is to remain within the city of Williams, Arizona, which is about an hour away from the Grand Canyon. For those who’re interested by taking the historic Grand Canyon train to/from the canyon, it runs from Williams. Compare Williams hotels here.
What to pack for the Grand Canyon in winter
I can not stress this sufficient: the Grand Canyon will get COLD within the winter. Grand Canyon climate can fluctuate within the winter, however the canyon sits 7000+ ft above sea stage, that means it is all the time a lot colder on the South Rim than lower-elevation spots in northern Arizona. On the two days I used to be there, it was 9 levels Fahrenheit one night, and solely about 20 levels F the next day.
It DOES snow on the Grand Canyon within the winter, too, and among the trails and even sidewalks will be slick – I noticed a number of folks fall throughout my go to, totally on paved trails.
Maintaining this in thoughts, listed below are the issues I might say are important for a winter journey to the Grand Canyon:
- Heat layers – I am speaking at the very least a base layer below your regular garments and a heat outer layer on the coldest days. After I went to the Grand Canyon in January, I wore a merino top and thermal leggings below a sweater and thicker leggings, after which wore a down coat on prime.
- Hat and gloves – Maintain these ears and fingers heat! I additionally suggest a shawl.
- Heat boots with good grip – Winter boots should not a nasty concept – simply make sure that they’ve good grip on the underside. (Winter mountain climbing boots could be excellent – I like these.)
- Ice crampons – I wore my Kodiak Surrey hiking boots, that are nice boots however not essentially *winter* boots. As I used to be slipping alongside the path to Mather Level, I used to be wishing I had introduced my Yaktrax with me, which match over sneakers/boots and act as mini ice crampons. These are 100% definitely worth the funding for winter mountain climbing. I additionally love these Columbia winter boots, that are tremendous heat!
- Climbing poles – If you are going to do any winter mountain climbing on the Grand Canyon, you may additionally need to deliver some hiking poles together with good boots and Yaktrax. Most include ideas which might be excellent for snow/ice.
- Solar safety – This one could seem unusual, however winter is definitely a really sunny season on the Grand Canyon! And since you’re up at a better elevation, you are extra prone to burn quicker. You should definitely pack sun shades and sunscreen!
Excursions to the Grand Canyon
For those who do not feel like driving to the Grand Canyon your self, there ARE excursions that can take you to the South Rim in winter. Some to take a look at embrace:
So there you will have it: a pair thousand phrases to show you could undoubtedly go to the Grand Canyon in winter! Hopefully the following pointers will allow you to plan a tremendous journey throughout the Grand Canyon’s “secret season.”
READ NEXT: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Zion National Park in Winter
Would you want to go to the Grand Canyon in winter?
Pin it for later:
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
