When to visit Grand Canyon without the crowds
Grand Canyon (Arizona, United States) is calmest in January, February and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in April, May, June, July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Dec–Feb & Nov
When everyone heads home
The second half of August, when school restarts.
Tip
In winter the South Rim may be snowy and nearly empty; the canyon floor is 20 °C warmer.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 5 °C (40 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 8 °C (46 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| April | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 17 °C (63 °F) | |
| May | 4/5 · busy | 22 °C (71 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 29 °C (84 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 31 °C (88 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 29 °C (85 °F) | |
| September | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 26 °C (78 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 19 °C (66 °F) | |
| November | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 12 °C (54 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 7 °C (45 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Monsoon (Jul–Sep): afternoon storms and flash floods; avoid slot canyons when there is a warning.
- Hiking to the canyon floor in summer is dangerous: over 40 °C at the bottom.
- The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May (the South Rim is open all year).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Grand Canyon without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February and December (crowds 2/5). In February the average high is 8 °C (46 °F). All the calm months: January, February and December.
When is Grand Canyon most crowded?
The busiest season is April, May, June, July, August and September. The second half of August, when school restarts.
What is the weather like in Grand Canyon?
Average highs range from 5 °C (40 °F) in January to 31 °C (88 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Grand Canyon?
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): afternoon storms and flash floods; avoid slot canyons when there is a warning. Hiking to the canyon floor in summer is dangerous: over 40 °C at the bottom. The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May (the South Rim is open all year).
More places in Arizona
- Sedona calm in February, June, July, August, September, October and December; busiest in May and November
- Phoenix & Scottsdale calm in July, August, September and October; busiest in January, February, March and April