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Which Grand Canyon Rim Is Better

Could the weather influence your decision?

Both the West and South Rim are open year-round. Weather extremes and moderates occur at both rims at different times of year.

February, March & April:

Late winter and early spring are glorious at the Grand Canyon. The West Rim is much warmer than the South Rim, with average temperatures as follows: February high 70 / low 43; March high 77 / low 49; April high 86 / low 56. Very little annual precipitation – only about 5.6 inches per year – means you’re almost guaranteed clear, sunny conditions at the West Rim which is great because rain can make the 15 mile unpaved road a little trickier than usual. But it also means you should definitely pack the sunscreen as waiting in line for the Skywalk can get pretty sunny during the approximate one hour wait.

At the South Rim, average high/low temperatures at the South Rim are as follows each month: Feburary high 45 / low 21; March high 51 / low 25; April high 60 / low 32. Expect to see breath-taking views of snow blanketing the Grand Canyon’s surrounding plateau and settled on the nooks and crannies of the chasm walls. Snow can make hiking or walking on the rim trail tricky, so be even more careful than usual and obey posted signs and guard rails.

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May, June, July, August & September:

The spring and summer months are THE most popular season for visiting the Grand Canyon. If you’re headed for the Grand Canyon Skywalk on the West Rim, be prepared to experience hot, dry summer temperatures and wear tons of sunscreen and/or a wide-brimmed hat and drink plenty of water. Average summer temps at the West Rim are: May high 96 / low 65; June high 108 / low 73; July high 113 / low 79; August high 110 / low 78; September high 102 / low 70.

Average temperatures for the South Rim are: May high 70 / low 39; June high 81 / low 47; July high 84 / low 54; August high 81 / low 53; September high 76 / low 47. In July and August, when the dew point rises, Arizona experiences monsoon rains. Quick, intense thunderstorms contribute to the rapid-shift swings in weather in the summertime, but locals will tell you that the monsoon season is one of their favorite times of year because it brings relief to seasonally high temperatures and makes the landscape incredibly verdant and fragrant. The Grand Canyon’s spectacular vistas just ‘pop’ against a stormy background.

October, November, December & January:

Do come to the Grand Canyon in winter… you’ll love the views and even more you’ll love how few other visitors there are!

Because the West Rim is at a lower elevation than the South Rim (4,000 feet above sea level versus 7,200 feet), it’s much warmer in the fall and winter months, with little to no snow. Average high temperatures range from 64 – 89 degrees F and lows range from 58 to 38 degrees F.

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At the South Rim, the average high in October, November, December & January is between 64 and 40 degrees F and the low between 35 and 18 degrees F. You can expect snow at the South Rim, which makes for some unbelievably beautiful views of the Canyon, but you must be willing to pack on the layers and get out of your car to see them.

Whether you are leaning toward the West Rim or South Rim, you’ll need enough warm, layered clothing to stand being outside in cool-to-cold temperatures for an hour or so to wait in line for the Skywalk, take pictures, walk along the Rim trail or the West Rim viewpoints and tour Grand Canyon Village, etc. Expect some pretty moderate-to-strong winds, too, which can bring the temperature down considerably at either rim.

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