When to do Grand Canyon

[stratusnj75 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stratusnj75]

My wife and I got married in Vegas this past year and coming home the plane ride took us directly over the Grand Canyon. We were both entranced and decided that a trip to the Grand Canyon must be planned. I am wondering when is the best time of year to go. Would like ti to be warm(80's or 90's are fine), and not insanely crowded(if it ever gets that way)

Also any recommendations on RCI resorts in the area would be appreciated. I own Wyndham so they have a resort in Sedona and Flagstaff but don't mind trading in to something else via RCI.

Devin

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

We were last there mid-April for a school spring break and found temperatures comfortable and the park not overly crowded.

We stayed in Sedona at one of the Diamond properties and would highly recommend it. Here are photos of both a Wynfield and the Diamond property:My Photo Gallery - All Images - Powered by PhotoPost , As a Wynfield owner you may be interested in staying at Flagstaff. Here are some unit photos another member took of that resort/unit:

My Photo Gallery - All Images - Powered by PhotoPost

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Late April Early May

We went several years ago and I believe it was late April or early May. Winter was over. We stayed at the then Fairfield in Flagstaff, but did spend a couple of nights outside the Grand Canyon.

Nancy

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

It can get very crowded when the schools are closed in the summer. We went in March, and it could have been a little warmer. I would think May -June, Sept -Oct, would be a good time to visit.

If you haven't been to Sedona, it's beautiful and worth visiting a few days. Like Lawren, we also did a combined trip.

[Gracey Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gracey]

We were there last 4th of July and it was hot! This is from somebody who absolutely loves 80-90 degree temps. But I couldn't even take it. Had to go in the summertime due to a child still in school. We stayed in Sedona and overnighted in the grand canyon. Since you have fairfield points I would do 3 days in flagstaff, that would put you closer to the canyon and do the rest of the week in Sedona. It's so beautiful at both places I wouldn't miss out on either. Oh BTW, I imagine May would be a great month.

Have fun,
Laurie

[jericap Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close jericap]

We also went in early May and the weather was great..mid 70's, low 80's. We stayed in Sedona and did a small tour. We could have driven, but we figured we would be too tired to drive back.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

May or September would best fit your criteria: not too crowded, warm but not too warm, and still gorgeous. Have fun!! It's a great place.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Would I be crazy to go at New Years?
I would love to return but wonder if it is worthwhile to do it in January?

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

They do get snow. We went in Oct. a few years back and the week before we went it snowed several inches. You may be taking a chance if you go in Jan.

Sue

[Charlie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Charlie]

I would think January would be too cold. We've taken 3 trips to the Grand Canyon. Once to the north rim in the summer, once to the south rim in the summer, and back to the south rim this past April break. I enjoyed the summer trips better. The warm temperatures were not that bad and did not deter us from short hikes and scenic drives. You don't have to use the bus at the north rim but to tour west of the Village at the south rim you do. This past April we stayed at Sedona Springs and took a day trip to the canyon. It was actually a bit chilly and breezy. With the wind blowing you didn't want to get too close to the edge. When we got back home, I got a copy of the book Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon. What an interesting read, scary but interesting.

[TomR Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TomR]

I’m trying to plan a 1-week trip next year to Sedona for either June or late August early September. I am not too concerned with the heat but it looks as if there is a lot more rain in August/September. Is June the better choice of the two? Right now, I can see availability at Los Abrigados for June under two different resort codes, SDN and SD3. Is one better than the other, or should I wait and hope to get a better resort? Thanks in advance.
Tom

[In the Pink Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close In the Pink]

I’m trying to plan a 1-week trip next year to Sedona for either June or late August early September. I am not too concerned with the heat but it looks as if there is a lot more rain in August/September.
Tom

I don't know if this will help or not, but From the FAQ section of Grand Canyon Hotels, Lodging & Tours - National Park Vacation Guide - thecanyon.com


When is the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon?
Most visitors come to the Canyon from May through September. If you decide to come then, be aware that the high season, while beautiful, means large crowds and parking at a premium. In the off-season from October through April, crowds are minimal and seeing the Canyon with a dusting of snow is worth the trip! Beware that some parts of the park and some services are closed in the off-season. The South Rim is open all year, whereas the more remote North Rim visitor area is open from mid-May to mid-October.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Would I be crazy to go at New Years?
I would love to return but wonder if it is worthwhile to do it in January?

Thanks everyone - I beleive I will pass - it is a LONG drive and I prefer just to do day trips while I am there (Las Vegas) - no overnights.

[TomR Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TomR]

Marla: Thank you for the web site. It was helpful. It looks like June is drier than August/September and not much warmer, so it looks like that is when we will go. Right now the only availability I can see is Los Abrigados. Might wait to see if something better pops up.

[thomas660 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thomas660]

September is the best.

I have been there several times and the best time is in the fall after school starts. However, there is a small window after school starts and before the snow falls, around mid September would probably be the best. The rim of the canion is a high plateau with hot summers and cold winters. If you plan to go into the canyon, the weather at the bottom is quite different from the rim. I have experienced snow on the rim in the morning and 90 degree heat on the river in the afternoon. Have fun. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the US. Tom