When to do Grand Canyon

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

... 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) ... Devin

We went to Sedona and GC in early October. Could not have hit it better. NO crowds either.

As far as the best time of year... well, the hour leading up to sunset till an hour after,,, and then half an hour before sunrise till an hour after.
In those time frames you will experience many colors and contrasts that are not available throughout the other hours of a day.

In order to accomplish that, we made the run from Sedona to S. Rim in time for sunset (lovely... Don't miss it).

Tried for a room at Tusayan, outside south gate. Wound up having a late supper and spending the night all the way (25 miles) down at Vally. That's at the intersection of AZ-64 and US-180, north of Williams. If you wish to stay over near the canyon, be sure to reserve a room well in advance.

Getting up early for being at the rim prior to sunrise was quite a mad dash.

Make certain of sunrise time and get there well before. The spires are so subdued in pre-dawn (EARLY) light. A whole different setting. Do the SLIDESHOW at: Picasa Web Albums - ROBERT - Grand Canyon ...

[Marcia3641 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Marcia3641]

Me and my 15yr old daughter will be spending Christmas in Flagstaff this year. Any recommendations?

marcia

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

Flagstaff during Christmas will offer some local sites which celebrate the holidays. Riordan Mansion usually has something; Little America Hotel decorates their lobby and has lights around their grounds.

Snow Bowl probably will be open, for skiing and snowboarding.

A trip to the Grand Canyon can be magical at that time....especially if there are storms or snow. If you drive you should plan and know road conditions ahead of the trip. Or you can drive about 30 minutes west of Flagstaff and take the GC RR out of Williams...they also have a Polar Bear Express during the holidays on special nights.

Just about 20 minutes east is Walnut Canyon, but again, weather permitting for that hike.

And about 1 hour east is Meteor Crater.

If you drive down to Sedona, there are often concerts, lights, trees and some festivals during the holiday season.