Best time to visit the Grand Canyon
- Best time
- October
- Avoid
- July
- Warmest month
- July · 85°F
- Wettest month
- July · 2.3 in
- Peak crowds
- Jun · Jul · Aug
The Grand Canyon has two climates stacked on top of each other. The South Rim sits at about 7,000 feet, cool and sometimes snowy; the river, a mile below, is a desert that passes 100°F (38°C) in summer. The best month depends on whether you plan to look into the canyon or hike into it — and whether you want the North Rim, which opens only from mid-May.
the Grand Canyon month by month
Average high / low and rain are NOAA 1991–2020 normals (Grand Canyon Np 2, Az Us). Crowd levels and what is open are our reading of each season, not official counts.
January
Mixed- High / low
- 44° / 19°F
- Rain
- 1.8 in
- Crowds
- Quiet
South Rim only
Snow and ice on the rim and the upper trails; Desert View Drive may close briefly after storms. Quietest month.
February
Mixed- High / low
- 46° / 21°F
- Rain
- 1.2 in
- Crowds
- Quiet
South Rim only
Cold nights, clear air, few people. Microspikes for Bright Angel and South Kaibab.
March
Good- High / low
- 54° / 25°F
- Rain
- 1.9 in
- Crowds
- Moderate
South Rim only
Spring break brings families mid-month. Hermit Road switches to shuttle-only from March 1.
April
Good- High / low
- 61° / 29°F
- Rain
- 0.6 in
- Crowds
- Busy
South Rim only
Comfortable for hiking below the rim; still possible snow on top.
May
Best- High / low
- 70° / 36°F
- Rain
- 0.4 in
- Crowds
- Busy
North Rim opens mid-May
Warm days, cool nights. The North Rim reopened on May 15 in 2026 after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, without in-park lodging.
June
Mixed- High / low
- 82° / 43°F
- Rain
- 0.2 in
- Crowds
- Peak
Both rims
Driest month, very hot below the rim. Hike before 10 am or not at all.
July
Avoid- High / low
- 85° / 50°F
- Rain
- 2.3 in
- Crowds
- Peak
Both rims
Monsoon season begins: afternoon thunderstorms, lightning on the rim, flash floods in side canyons. Peak crowds.
August
Mixed- High / low
- 82° / 50°F
- Rain
- 2.2 in
- Crowds
- Peak
Both rims
Wettest month on the rim; spectacular storm light, dangerous heat on the trails.
September
Good- High / low
- 76° / 44°F
- Rain
- 1.5 in
- Crowds
- Busy
Both rims
Storms fade during the month, heat eases; crowds drop after Labor Day.
October
Best- High / low
- 65° / 33°F
- Rain
- 1.2 in
- Crowds
- Busy
North Rim closes mid-October
The best month for rim-to-river hikes. Check the North Rim closing date if you plan to go there.
November
Good- High / low
- 53° / 25°F
- Rain
- 0.8 in
- Crowds
- Moderate
South Rim only
Crisp and quiet; Thanksgiving week is busy. First snow possible.
December
Mixed- High / low
- 43° / 18°F
- Rain
- 1.2 in
- Crowds
- Moderate
South Rim only
Snow on the rim, short days; the week between Christmas and New Year is busy.
Temperatures and rain
Seasons and events to plan around
North Rim season
Mid-May to mid-October
The North Rim closes for the winter. In 2026 it reopened on May 15 after the Dragon Bravo Fire, with roads and the North Kaibab Trail open but no overnight lodging inside the park on that side.
Source: Grand Canyon National Park news release (NPS) · checked Oct 27, 2026
Monsoon season
July to mid-September
Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and flash floods. Be off exposed points and out of narrow side canyons by early afternoon.
Source: National Weather Service, Flagstaff · checked Oct 27, 2026
Rim versus river: two different thermometers
The temperatures on this page are measured at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Phantom Ranch, at the bottom, is typically 20°F (11°C) or more warmer: when the rim is a pleasant 85°F in July, the trail near the river can pass 105°F (40°C). Rangers advise against hiking from the rim to the river and back in one day, at any time of year.
The verdict
Best month
October
Clear, cool days on the rim, the inner canyon finally cooling down for hikers, monsoon storms over and the summer crowds gone. The North Rim usually stays open until mid-October.
Avoid
July
Not because the rim is unpleasant — it is warm, not hot — but because the canyon floor is dangerously hot for hikers, storms build most afternoons and the South Rim is at its busiest.
When to visit the Grand Canyon: your questions
What is the best month to visit the Grand Canyon?
October, then May. Both are mild on the rim and bearable below it, with the North Rim open.
Is the Grand Canyon open in winter?
The South Rim is open every day of the year. The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May.
When is monsoon season at the Grand Canyon?
Roughly July to mid-September, with afternoon thunderstorms most days. Mornings are usually clear.
Is the Grand Canyon too hot in summer?
Not on the South Rim, where highs are in the 80s °F. It is dangerously hot inside the canyon, which matters only if you hike down.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Event dates move from year to year: always confirm on the organiser’s site.