High and Low Season

During the summer high season at the South Rim Village, a small city within the park, and Tusayan at the southern entrance, expect crowded restaurants, jammed parking lots, waits for shuttle buses to the rim viewpoints, and sold-out hotels. Make reservations months in advance. After Thanksgiving as the weather turns colder, the crowds thin out considerably. The North Rim, open May 15 to October 15, peaks in the summer until school starts, but receives only one-tenth the visitation.

Weather and Climate

The South Rim at 7,000 feet elevation often experiences extremes in weather with summer thunderstorms and winter blizzards. Average summer temperatures reach 70-80 degrees F. Yet at river level, in the Sonora Desert Zone, the temperature often exceeds 110 degrees F. with hypothermia a major cause of death of hikers. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures.

At 1,000-feet higher elevation than the South Rim, you discover a different forest ecosystem, milder (colder) climate, and a whole new set of astounding views at the North Rim. It’s closed (and often snowed in) from October 15–May 15 and often has substantial snow until Memorial Day. At 8,000-9,000-feet elevation, the summer days reach highs of 60-70 degrees F. with frost possible at night.