When to visit Grand Canyon?

As a general rule when going anywhere, you want comfortable weather and smaller crowds. It's almost impossible to have both together. Smaller crowds occur when schools are in session. For weather, check Weatherbase. Its free and lists weather history by city and town within each state. When you check it out, altitude above sea level has a major impact.

Went there in late April. There was about 6" of snow on the ground but roads were all clear.Temperature on the day we were there was about 50.

Rule of thumb for anywhere really is to travel when kids are in school.

Yes, and the SR as the asphalt Rim Paths for handicapped, forgot about those. AND, you can take your dog along the rim trails.

Jeez! Now you guys are making me want to go back sooner than I was planning!

mikestock -- the hiking trails on both the south and north are great, but both are challenging when you drop down off the rim. The north is cooler and emptier, but the south has more handicapped-accessible pathways than the north does. And the north is a lot harder to get to -- much farther from the interstates.

I agree with Lauren. However, if my wife and I were younger and better able to hike the challenging terrain we may like the North Rim better. Also, based on the comments of those who so prefer the North Rim I thought we must have missed something on my one visit.

There seems to be so much more to do on the South Rim in spite of the crowd.

Thanks, profdant139, but not so sure I am an "expert". :-) However I have been to the NR twice (had to go back a second time because we thought we must have missed something the first time there and came to the conclusion we had not) and the SR probably 4 times as many times as the NR.

I pretty much agree as stated above with the late May / early June or late Sept / early Oct. We were there once in March and got snowed in by a white out. (But also got some of my best photographs on that visit).

Profdant139 also makes the point that I often do - on the SR you are not looking into the sun for picture taking or just viewing. I will leave the NR / SR debate at that but there are a lot more points - but that is not this posting question.

To see some of my images go to www.LaurenBarbara.com and to the Wanderings link on the left and then to the 2 Grand Canyon links. Some are also posted on www.LaurensPix.com which is my "professional" site.

Whenever you go, spend a few days - it is at its majesty at sunrise and sunset - the colors and shadows make it breathtaking.

I am pretty much with the late may to early June and LATE September thru October. We go every May for the Grand Canyon Association Members Annual Meeting and the crowds are minimal. The DW is at the point where an electric scooter is required so we can go most places close to attractions with our Handicapped sign. We have taken the DGKs Easter Break and the snow adds another dimension to the majesty. Not knowing what you want to be doing makes it hard to recommend activities. The trail on the South rim called the The Trail of Time tells the age of the Canyon in geological terms using the different rock formations of the Canyon. The Ranger talks and shows are a great way to learn a lot about the Canyon.

Join the Association for $15.00 or so and come to the Annual Meeting and visit many behind the scenes in the park. The meetings has to purposes, one to show the Staffs appreciation for bring and open checkbook to the meeting. You don't have to write a big check like some do, ten or fisteen dollars helps, the real fun is meeting the people who make things run smoothly, like Dave and Diane
the Director and Assistant Director.

There are activities for members that are not normally given and are fantastic. Just don't be a ten minute tourist, really explore both sides and both ground side views and if possible the view from the river.

Don't go during spring break!!!!