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Best time to visit Grand Canyon: month by month
Short answer
The best months are April to May and September to October, with South Rim highs of about 17–25°C and good hiking conditions. Summer brings rim highs near 28–31°C, monsoon storms in July and August and dangerous heat inside the canyon. Winter is cold, with snow and nights well below zero, but few crowds and dramatic light.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C | -6°C | 7 | low |
| Feb | 5°C | -6°C | 4 | low |
| Mar | 9°C | -3°C | 10 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 3°C | 2 | high |
| May | 23°C | 8°C | 2 | high |
| Jun | 28°C | 13°C | 2 | very high |
| Jul | 31°C | 17°C | 10 | very high |
| Aug | 28°C | 15°C | 10 | high |
| Sep | 25°C | 12°C | 6 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 5°C | 4 | high |
| Nov | 11°C | -1°C | 2 | medium |
| Dec | 5°C | -4°C | 5 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 9°C in March to 23°C in May, with frosty mornings in March and very little rain from April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Rim highs of 28–31°C and lows of 13–17°C; July and August have about 10 days of monsoon storms each, and the canyon floor exceeds 40°C.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Pleasant September at 25°C, cooling to 17°C in October and 11°C in November, with crisp nights near freezing.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of 3–5°C and lows of -4 to -6°C on the South Rim, with snow; the North Rim is closed from mid-October to mid-May.
Events worth planning around
- North Rim opening season (from mid-May, when the road and lodge open).
- Grand Canyon Star Party, with telescopes on the rim (usually June).
- Grand Canyon Music Festival (late summer to early autumn, when held).
When to avoid
Avoid summer midday hikes below the rim. If you dislike crowds, skip June and July, when the South Rim viewpoints are packed and lodges are full.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit the Grand Canyon?
May or late September to October: rim highs of 17–25°C, dry weather and good hiking conditions.
Is the Grand Canyon open in winter?
The South Rim is open all year, with snow and freezing nights. The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May.
When is monsoon season at the Grand Canyon?
July and August, with afternoon thunderstorms, lightning on the rim and flash flood risk in side canyons.