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Is the Grand Canyon a good place to visit in winter? You are in for a treat. Many people wouldn't go in the winter, but those who do are blessed with a site that is so magical you wouldn't believe it.
In the winter, the canyon is covered in white powdery snow.
The snowy landscape made for a unique and extraordinary experience for us when we traveled across the USA in an RV.
It is not easy to visit the Grand Canyon in winter. There are dangerous roads and slippery hiking trails that need to be considered. Special sites and hidden gems can be found in the winter.
This guide will help you get the most out of your Grand Canyon winter trip.
There are pros and cons to going to the Grand Canyon in the winter.
It is great to visit at any time of the year. It may be the most famous National Park in the world.
It is one mile deep and is shaped by the Colorado River. I could look at it all day long and not be bored.
It is a sight to behold and there is snow in the canyon.
The beauty of it is that most of the park is not accessible by humans. It's a victory for Mother Earth.
There are pros and cons to visiting the Grand Canyon in the winter. Let's begin with the pros...
There were a few times when we were the only ones looking at the canyon. It felt like we were alone on the desert view drive.
Most of the people we saw were at the Desert View Watchtower.
When we were at the Grand Canyon, the views of Hopi Point and Mathers Point were so busy that it felt like they were too busy for us.
This is a national park that gets millions of visitors a year.
Do you think most of them are in the area?
The restaurants in the park won't be crowded and you can walk into a table.
You won't have to worry about traffic or lining up for the free shuttles.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open year-round, but the North Rim is only open in May and October. The Grand Canyon is open throughout the year. More about that can be found here.
It is possible to book the accommodations within Grand Canyon National Park 12 months in advance.
A year before Craig and the girls went to the Grand Canyon, his sister booked a stay at the lodge.
He had to stay in the nearby town of Tusayan because he was a late booker.
There was a lot of availability when we were at the Yavapai Lodge in January. I was able to stay near the canyon's rim. There's more on that below.
You might be in a better position to get some deals during the low season.
During the months of November to March the drive is open to the public
Only the shuttle, walk, or ride your bike can get you to the viewpoints on the west side of the South Rim.
The drive is 7 miles long.
At each stop-off, I was able to take my time in my own car to see the Grand Canyon.
When this road is closed to the public, you can either walk or ride your bike.
You can take bikes on the shuttle if you don't want to go the return walk.
I don't think it would be a good idea to wait for the shuttle to come at each stop and then line up for the ride. Adding hours and stress to your day is possible.
The cliffs covered in snow are covered in pink, red, and orange.
The view of the Grand Canyon from the snow was amazing.
On the day we left, there was snow. We didn't get to see more of the canyon during the snowstorm, but there was enough for us to appreciate and make the trip worth it.
The snow is great for playing in the kids.
The girls had a great time throwing snowballs at each other along the Rim trail.
You can still see animals in the canyon during winter. You can see animals on the rim of the ponderosa pine forests.
There were herds of mule deer in the snow. When the storm hit, they seemed to like it.
We saw them less when it wasn't snowing.
I had a great time visiting in the winter.
The late risers will love seeing the Grand Canyon in winter. I am not bothered by the earlier summer sunrises, but I know my daughters were last year.
I like that the Grand Canyon sunset time is earlier in the winter.
I don't like waiting for the sun to set. I'm tired and ready to relax and sleep by 7pm. I hate daylight savings for a number of reasons.
I need the extra light in the morning.
Let's make it clear that the obvious. It is freezing in the canyon.
The Grand Canyon South Rim has an elevation of over 7,000 feet so be prepared for cold weather. It is going to get warmer if you go down into the canyon.
The cold won't be a big deal if you're dressed warmly.
It is a good excuse for a hot chocolate or hot toddy. It may take away the opportunity for glorious sunsets and sunrise because of the frequent snowstorms.
If you're well prepared, hiking into the Grand Canyon in the winter is a great idea because of the extreme heat of the summer.
Be sure to watch my next point.
During my visit to the Grand Canyon in January, all of the hikes were covered in snow and ice.
Due to the lower sun, the beginning of these trails don't get much sunlight. The snow won't melt and it won't refreeze.
Nobody is going to be plowing the trails.
The beginning part of the treks can be a potentially dangerous challenge due to the steep drop-offs.
Winter may not be the best time to visit the canyon if you want to do a lot of winter hikes. May until October is the best hiking season because the snow stays in the park from November to April.
Unless you have a good pair of hiking poles and shoe chains, you won't be able to traction yourself on the ice and snow.
Many people went all the way to the river to stay at Phantom Ranch on the Bright Angel trail.
One local guide walked back out in flip-flops and shorts. It was quite a revelation.
Purchasing hiking poles and shoe chains is a must if you are going to do this.
We tried to purchase some but they were all out of our sizes and didn't have children's sizes.
The Bright Angel Trail was done in the snow.
We went to the North Rim in 2006 with Craig. I might have liked it more than the South Rim. It felt more rugged and raw because there was so little people.
Most people don't go to the North Rim. The average person only spends 17 minutes looking at the canyon. Oh, yeah!
There is a lot of work to be done.
The snow is heavier at the North Rim because it is higher. The North Rim is only open from mid- May to October.
If you go to the Grand Canyon in the winter, it may get in the way of your sunrise and sunset worship as you get more rain and snow.
We didn't see a sunrise because of it.
The mornings were overcast. The sunset at Hopi Point was amazing.
You might be wondering what to do in the winter in the Grand Canyon. There are still a lot of things to do despite the dangers of the hiking trails.
There are many winter attractions in the Grand Canyon National Park.
If you want to visit the Grand Canyon with kids, the 2.5 mile section of the Grand Canyon Rim Trail between the Visitor Center and the Village is a good place to start.
It follows the rim of the canyon and gives you great views. It is possible to throw snowballs at each other.
Enjoy the views and learn along the way with the interpretative trails, museums and Ranger talks.
Some of the best Grand Canyon views can be seen from the west side of Yavapai Point.
If you want to escape the cold, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the place to go.
It is a good introduction to the canyon for children.
A production called Science on a Sphere shows the changing Earth on a large globe. You can see how the canyon was formed by looking at it. The girls were interested in what was happening.
The coffee at the coffee shop was pretty good.
The Junior Ranger Program can help you understand it.
The girls were excited to do the program again. They have badges from the canyon.
I purchased two novels and an activity book about the canyon. It is important to make education relevant for children.
What more can you get?
They loved the Junior Ranger book. They sat quietly whenever we ate to work on them.
It was the best decision I made.
They are taking on the role of protecting and caring for Mother Nature, and I liked how connected they are to her.
During our time at the Grand Canyon, they were very well behaved and happy. Being around such beauty is what makes this effect happen.
You are commanded to pay attention, respect, and awe.
The Rim Trail is a must visit. The girls loved watching the years grow as they moved from one year old to a billion.
It is a great way to see how old the Grand Canyon is, but I don't think our minds can ever comprehend how old it is.
For the girls to have the chance to look at the canyon and see how the Colorado River has shaped the land is amazing.
Since my first trip 12 years ago, I don't think the girls will ever forget it.
There was snow and ice on this trail. We wore our hiking boots to get a feel for it.
We took just 10 steps to get to the canyon wall and take a picture. We walked 10 more steps and felt confident as we moved forward with the canyon wall behind us.
It would be against the wall if we fell. We stayed upright for the entire walk, even though we felt safe in our decision.
The place where the girls made in the fall last year is where we ended up going. We didn't want to risk it too much so we didn't go further.
The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular trails in the canyon. It will take you longer to come back out as it can get pretty steep, so you can go as far as you want.
Many people travel a mile to see the Colorado River. You feel like you're close to it.
Even with a 4am start, it was tough for Craig and I to hike there in 2006 during our Grand Canyo n vacation.
I will always remember our visit to the Grand Canyon in the winter, when we experienced the snow and icy Bright Angel Trail.
It will be the highlight of our trip. I was blown away by the girls' confidence, responsibility, and willingness to take a step forward.
We will always remember the local Arizona guide who was walking back out of the canyon with a couple in shorts and flip-flops.
I think he did this before.
There is an overnight point on the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon where they came from. For the bucket list, one is needed.
I felt silly holding the canyon wall with fear because I wore my Merrill shoes.
The South Kaibab Trail is not as cold as the Bright Angel during the winter season. The people hike the entire way to the river. You can hike to Skeleton Point a back for 6 miles if you don't like the cold. crampons will still be needed.
You can take the 14-mile round trip on Hermit Road.
You can hear the roar of the Colorado River as it crashes through Granite Rapid if you get out to Hopi Point.
Hopi Point is a great place to watch the sunset. You can warm up if you grab a spot in the parking lot.
We looked at the views while the girls sat in the car. The girls had a good view of Thebeast.
Once the sun goes down, the canyon can be seen in pretty pastels.
Sunrise is a popular time of day here.
Some of the best views in the Grand Canyon National Park can be found on this scenic drive.
Most visitors don't go to the Grand Canyon South Rim because they don't like the drive.
I enjoyed seeing the Colorado River through the valley and watching the cliffs of the rim.
It was dramatic and bright and made all the better with a rainbow bursting out of the clouds and over the river.
The Vermillion cliffs, San Francisco Peaks, Painted Desert, and Colorado River can be seen from this location.
The watchtower is the highest point on the south rim. The building looks like an ancient Ian watchtower.
Many of the buildings in the park were designed by Mary Elizabeth Coulter.
The Tusayan Museum and Ruins is a great place to learn about the culture and history of the canyon.
You can learn more about the canyons cultural history by walking around an ancestral village. Different relicts are displayed in a museum.
The animal figures are 4,000 years old.
The Skywalk is open during the winter.
The walkway is 4,000 feet above the canyon and is not suitable for faint hearted people. The skywalk has a birds-eye view of the ground and the river below.
I don't know how they came up with this figure, but if you're worried about walking on the glass Skywalk, don't worry.
If you are going to the Grand Canyon with kids, you must take them on a ride of the polar Express.
The activity travels from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in December.
Children can wear their pajamas, drink hot chocolate and meet Santa at the same time. At the end destination there is a bonus of cookies.
It's really cold in the Grand Canyon during the winter months. It is so cold because it is 7000+ feet above sea level.
Pack carefully.
Not all accommodations are open in the winter at the Grand Canyon. The places on this list are open in the winter.
We went to Yavapai Lodge for three nights. When you visit the Grand Canyon, we want to see if it's a good option. Well, guess what? Is it?
The Yavapai Lodge is a basic hotel room, but it was clean and comfortable, and the service was great.
We ate at the Yavapai Tavern and watched the Super Bowl there. You can use the lobby's wi-fi.
Between the Visitor Center and the Village lies Yavapai Lodge. There is a shuttle stop that you can use to get to either one.
It is next to the largest general store in the park.
Craig's family has stayed at the lodge and were happy with it.
The prime location of Kachina Lodge on the Rim Trail makes it a good choice for them.
From their room, they had a canyon view. The building isn't special from the outside, but it's comfortable, and their room isn't big or flashy.
Located in the heart of Grand Canyon Village, the Bright Angel Lodge is a registered national historic landmark.
It used to be a hotel, then a camp, and finally a lodge.
Breakfast is served at the Harvey House Café.
The lodge is located between two lodges. Many of the rooms have partial views of the canyon.
The lodge is a quarter mile from the Rim.
The ultimate National Park lodge is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey have all stayed at this hotel.
The trailer village campground was booked in for us, but we had to leave because of the weather. We didn't know how our travel trailer would handle the cold in the teens.
She can handle the mid-twenties, but we think it's too much of a strain on the pipes to be that low.
We didn't want to be without our home on wheels if the pipes froze and burst.
You don't have to book in advance if you want to stay at one of the hotels in the winter.
The town of Tusayan was where Craig stayed with our children.
They stayed at a hotel near the canyon.
The hotel was clean, the room was large, and it was an easy 15-minute drive to Grand Canyon Village.
Do you want to visit the Grand Canyon in winter, but don't own a car? A day trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas is a great option for people who don't have a lot of time to spare.
Get Your Guide offers a tour of the Grand Canyon.
One of the best Grand Canyon tours can be experienced with a professional guide.
Check out all the Grand Canyon South Rim tours on offer here!You have everything you need to visit the Grand Canyon in winter. This guide will help you plan your trip.
Extra precautions should be taken before you leave. Pack snow chains for your tires and tell people you are visiting in case of emergencies.
It is not dangerous to visit the Grand Canyon. Remember the tops we talked about in the guide.
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Do you know anything about the Grand Canyon during winter? Don't leave them in the comments.
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