5 Reasons to Visit Grand Canyon This Winter

You may not be able to go white water rafting in Grand Canyon while the snow is flying, but you have to do something in the off season!

At Hatch, we are big time Canyon fans all year round. Here are 5 reasons the Grand Canyon is worth a visit in the winter:

5: No Crowds

If you want to see the canyon in all its glory, minus the extra people, try checking it out in the winter. The South Rim stays open year-round and the roads are maintained and passable in all but the worst weather conditions. (The North Rim however is at a higher elevation so it generally closes in October ahead of the first snow, and opens in late May to early June once the snow how has melted and the roads are passable again.) Avoid the crowds – see the canyon in the winter.

Mather Point on a very cold day in winter. Photo: GCNPS

4: Hiking & Camping

Because fewer people are vying for them you can get backcountry camping permits more easily. That means camping in the Canyon’s most popular spots that are nearly impossible to get permits for in busy season are actually available! Just looking for a day hike? No permits are necessary, and the trails will have way less people on them. Just remember to camp and hike smart! You still get dehydrated even if you aren’t feeling hot, and the South Rim trails will often stay in the shade and may be icy.

3: Sunrise and Sunset

Last bit of snow hugging the wall of the South Rim due to that area being in constant shade in winter. Photo: GCNPS

Desert sunrises and sunsets are some of the most beautiful around. Add to them the backdrop of red layered canyon walls and you come close to perfection. In the winter, the sun rises later and sets earlier, meaning you can catch the Grand Canyon at its most beautiful more easily than you can during the summer. At the end of November, sunset will be as early as 5:15pm, and in the beginning of January, sunrise will be as late as 7:40am.

2: Great Weather

If you don’t mind a bit of a chill, the Grand Canyon’s winter weather can be absolutely beautiful. From sunny days that can only be described as “crisp” to snow storms that leave the Canyon’s trees and rock ledges lined in white, the canyon’s weather will take your breath away. Make sure to dress in warm layers! If the winds pick up or a snow storm comes down on you, you’ll be happy to have your winter gear.

1: Rare Phenomena

If you’re lucky, your winter visit to the Grand Canyon might give you an opportunity to see a total cloud inversion. Every so often, the Grand Canyon will play host to this rare climate event in which cold air is trapped in the canyon underneath a warm layer of air. When there is enough moisture in the cold layer, it will condense and form fog. This particular phenomena typically only occurs every few years though, with the last partial inversion on January 24, 2021. Who knows what this winter will bring?

A rare cloud inversion event at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Photo: GCNPS