What is the best time to visit Grand Canyon? We do not like crowds

March 3, 2021 1:51 PM

We are going to book a cabin/Phantom Ranch, down the Grand Canyon.

From their lottery, at least a year from now. It can be any date they are open, it is seasonal. Spring vs. Fall, seems the Fall will still have some warm air, Spring can still be chilly? We will hike down, and would like to remain a day or 2. Any advice? We want to spend some time in the area, that is, a triangle of the GC, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque. Maybe try some rafting on the Colorado or Green Rivers, and want to see Ruins/Parks in the area. We do not like crowds, parking lots, lines. So how do we get to lesser known places, and avoid the crowds at the big places? We won't be camping, but Airbnb or small motels. Swimming in canyons is a plus. Tips?

posted by ebesan to Travel & Transportation around United States (7 answers total)

I visited Phantom Ranch in January, and it was VERY quiet and very pleasant weather.
posted by Grandysaur at 2:45 PM on March 3, 2021

I also went in January (a long time ago) and it was not crowded at all. I really liked hiking down from the snow at the top into warmer weather below, like descending into springtime.
posted by pinochiette at 3:02 PM on March 3, 2021 [2 favorites]

The North Rim is a lot less crowded than the South, but it also comes with much fewer National Park-like amenities. It's also farther than the South Rim to Phantom Ranch, ten miles vs 13.6 miles. But also as expected, there are much fewer people making the trek from the North Rim.

I passed through Phantom Ranch in mid September. It was still nearly 100F at 1 PM. You usually don't have much of a choice what day you can go, you have to prepare for whatever the weather is going to give you.
posted by meowzilla at 3:13 PM on March 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

I haven't done this, but have been doing a fair bit of research into this- the problem is that anytime that is generally low-crowds is often a risk for snow/ice on the upper part of the trails. But certainly, avoid whenever Summer vacation is for K-12, but even May/Sept will have more people compared to the colder months. Some people (people with microspikes and a bit more bravery than I have) are okay with some ice/snow on the trail. The good news is, based on a number of recent hiking videos I've watched, it's clear the vast majority of the visitors never get that far into the canyon. And it's also clear for a lot of those people, getting an "early" start is hitting the trail at 10am. So, regardless of what time of year, if you hit the trails while it's still a bit dark out, there won't be that many people, at least not once you get an hour or so into the canyon.

I will recommend this guy's YouTube page -he's really just a hiking nerd, he's not trying to be "cool" like a lot of annoying travel vlogs - and I have found his Grand Canyon videos helpful.
posted by coffeecat at 4:04 PM on March 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

ABQ and SLC might be a bit of a hike unless you're staying for multiple weeks. I'd do the Page -> Zion -> Vegas circuit, the drive to Page is almost as interesting as the canyon itself. Antelope Canyon is gorgeous but crowded, Zion will be crowded too but more spread out. Lake Powell should be better for swimming in fall. And Vegas has Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Lake Mead, and plenty else to keep you busy.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:16 PM on March 3, 2021

Avoid Albuquerque and the surrounding areas around the beginning of October if you don't want crowds. That's when Balloon Fiesta happens, and it is by far the busiest time for tourists.

If you want to do rafting, availability for that will determine a large part of your schedule. Check into that first.
posted by yohko at 7:58 PM on March 3, 2021

I’m sure winter can be nice and uncrowded at Grand Canyon but I have been at Christmastime when it was inaccessible due to snow.

I thought Sept was good for the area. Nice weather, kids are back in school.
posted by vunder at 9:57 AM on March 4, 2021