Winter is typically 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 – which means it is a wonderful time to go to!
So when a pal of mine determined that she wished 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 understand 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 believe 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 automobiles between October and Might. However the South Rim (the place nearly all of folks go anyway) remains to be absolutely operational.
Winter brings colder temperatures (and even snow!) to the Grand Canyon, together with shorter days. Nevertheless it additionally brings much less folks; in reality, the Nationwide Park Service stories that fewer than 10 p.c of the whole 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 in case you go to within the winter.
Issues to do on the Grand Canyon in winter
If you are going to go to the Grand Canyon in the course of the winter months, I believe that 2 days is right 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 most important Customer Heart, closest to all of the parking heaps and Mather Level. Right here you will discover maps, discuss to park rangers, discover some displays concerning the canyon, and two 24-minute movies to select from: “Grand Canyon: A Journey of Marvel” (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. daily.
Throughout the plaza from the customer middle, you may additionally discover the principle park retailer, which is at all times price a browse.
You will additionally discover Vibrant Angel Bike Leases on this most important plaza. You may not wish to hire a motorcycle or go on a motorcycle tour if it is chilly or snowy out, however you possibly can cease in to the store’s cafe for a espresso or scorching chocolate – they’ve the perfect espresso on the Grand Canyon!
Professional tip: Examine 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 really see the canyon! You’ll be able to stroll to Mather Level from the principle customer middle in about 5 minutes, so I like to recommend beginning there. Afterwards, you possibly can 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 in the course of the winter (AKA from December 1 via February). These routes are the Village (Blue) Route and the Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route. The Orange Route is the one you wish to hop on to get free transport to some viewpoints.
I like to recommend the shuttle choice just because it beats driving within the snow*. Shuttles run not less than 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 embody Yavapai Level, which can also be dwelling to the Yavapai Geology Museum (undoubtedly price popping inside to have 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 can take you into Grand Canyon Village. OR you could possibly hop again into your individual automobile to drive out to among the viewpoints that the shuttles do not service within the winter.
Extra data on the park shuttles could be discovered here.
*Word: You do not HAVE to take the shuttles within the winter. So long as the roads are open, you might be welcome to self-drive within the snow, and may go to many of the spots on the Orange and Blue routes with your individual automobile. However in case you’re not used to winter driving, I do NOT advocate driving within the park if there’s snow on the roads.
3. If there is not any snow: Self-drive to different viewpoints
You could have two choices on the subject of self-driving on the South Rim. You’ll be able to head east in direction of Desert View and the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance, or west via Grand Canyon Village and out in direction of Hermit’s Relaxation.
In the event you go east, you may see among the viewpoints you possibly can entry by shuttle like Yaki Level. Different viewpoints I actually like alongside this route embody Grandview Level and Moran Level. And you will attain Desert View on the finish, the place you possibly can climb 85 steps to the highest of the Desert View Watchtower for incredible views out over the canyon.
In the event you go west, undergo Grand Canyon Village and onto the Hermit’s Relaxation street. Throughout the summer season months, non-public automobiles aren’t allowed on this street, and the viewpoints can solely be accessed by park shuttle. Nevertheless it’s the alternative within the winter.
All of the viewpoints on the way in which to Hermit’s Relaxation are glorious, 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 can eat on the traditional El Tovar Eating Room, the Vibrant Angel Restaurant, or the Maswik Meals Courtroom (a preferred price range choice).
My pal and I ate lunch on the Arizona Steakhouse, which is a part of Vibrant Angel Lodge. The eating space has a view of the Grand Canyon close to the Vibrant 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 piece of the Rim Path, which stretches greater than 12 miles from Hermit’s Relaxation all the way in which to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Choose a viewpoint to start out at, and begin strolling; the path follows the canyon edge and is comparatively flat.
One other in style brief hike is to hike a part of the South Kaibab Path. Beginning on the South Kaibab Trailhead (positioned on the Orange shuttle route), you possibly can hike right down to a spot referred to as Ooh Ahh Level, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike (although word that this can be a very steep and strenuous hike!).
Some folks may even enterprise a bit of methods down the Vibrant Angel Path, which begins close to the Vibrant Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village.
*The explanation I do not advocate any harder/longer day hikes is as a result of the Grand Canyon trails usually are not shoveled or salted or something in the course of the winter, which means they’ll get snowy and really icy. I’d not advocate 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 wish to catch a winter sundown on the Grand Canyon. Days are shorter throughout this season, so you possibly can simply catch the sundown after which go have dinner. Sundown instances 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 preferred sundown spot just because it is near the customer middle and parking heaps – however it additionally has an incredible view!
Different in style sundown spots embody 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 recommendations on visiting with little ones!
Useful instances to remember:
- The Grand Canyon is open three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months, although some roads might shut attributable to 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 instances: 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 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 on your winter go to. That manner, in case you run into snow or ice, your plans will not be affected fairly as a lot.
There are mainly 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 almost inconceivable in the course of the busy summer season season until you guide months (typically as much as a 12 months!) upfront.
However in case you’re visiting within the winter (and particularly in case you’re visiting on a weekday and never throughout a college break), you possibly can typically discover open rooms on the Grand Canyon – typically even on the final minute.
Lodges to think about inside Grand Canyon Village embody:
- El Tovar Hotel – Essentially the most elegant of the bunch, and customarily thought to be 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 modern 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 – Positioned in a extra wooded space and residential to the favored Maswik Meals Courtroom.
Staying in Tusayan, Arizona
In the event you 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 possibly can simply attain the Customer Heart in 15-20 minutes in good climate, however the inns are sometimes much more reasonably priced.
I stayed on the Squire Resort At The Grand Canyon (previously the Finest 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 choice for households. (Book your room here!)
Different related inns in Tusayan embody:
Another choice is to remain within the city of Williams, Arizona, which is about an hour away from the Grand Canyon. In the event you’re excited about 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+ toes above sea degree, which means it is at all times 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 could 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 not less than a base layer beneath your regular garments and a heat outer layer on the coldest days. Once I went to the Grand Canyon in January, I wore a merino top and thermal leggings beneath a sweater and thicker leggings, after which wore a down coat on prime.
- Hat and gloves – Hold these ears and fingers heat! I additionally advocate a shawl.
- Heat boots with good grip – Winter boots usually are not a foul concept – simply be sure they’ve good grip on the underside. (Winter mountaineering boots could be supreme – 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 footwear/boots and act as mini ice crampons. These are 100% well worth the funding for winter mountaineering. I additionally love these Columbia winter boots, that are tremendous heat!
- Mountain climbing poles – If you are going to do any winter mountaineering on the Grand Canyon, you may also wish to carry some hiking poles together with good boots and Yaktrax. Most include suggestions which might be excellent for snow/ice.
- Solar safety – This one could appear unusual, however winter is definitely a really sunny season on the Grand Canyon! And since you’re up at the next elevation, you are extra more likely to burn sooner. Make sure you pack sun shades and sunscreen!
Excursions to the Grand Canyon
In the event you 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 embody:
So there you’ve got it: a pair thousand phrases to show that you would be able to undoubtedly go to the Grand Canyon in winter! Hopefully the following pointers will allow you to plan an incredible journey in the course of the Grand Canyon’s “secret season.”
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey via the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!
