It’s not a random cliche, there’s a valid reason why the Grand Canyon is on the top of every red-blooded American’s bucket list and if that adventurous American citizen is well-supplied with this all-encompassing guide for visiting the Grand Canyon from Planet Ware, then they will be well-suited to look majesty in its face.

Since childhood, any United States citizen who has grown up with a radio, television, or novel has been inundated with images of the famous Grand Canyon, its 227-mile expanse, and its national legacy. Americans have been raised under the watchful eye of Grand Canyon iconography whether it be in Hollywood cinema, television canon, or American Literature, so it’s simply no wonder why the 18-mile landmass attracts approximately six million annual visitors. So, if you’re an American citizen who has the Grand Canyon on their bucket list, be sure to follow the following tips for when it’s best to travel, ensuring the most enjoyable trip imaginable.

It should be initially noted that Grand Canyon National Park is open year-round, and the views observed at any region of the Canyon’s perimeter (commonly referred to as “Rims”) are outstanding, there are still optimal times of the year, week, and day to visit, depending on your interests. For instance, if you prefer the solemn solitude and meditation near-silence that can be found in the Canyon during the winter, you’ll only be able to access the Eastern, Western, and Southern Rims, as the North is closed.

That being said, if your long-awaited Grand Canyon adventure would be made more ideal without the summer crowds, then you’d want to follow Planet Ware’s suggestions and travel during the spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) months, skipping summer entirely. Not only will these times of year help you avoid the vacationing Grizwald families of the world, but you won’t be tortured by the sweltering heat of Arizona’s July and August days. In fact, if you’re visiting the Grand Canyon in the Spring, average temperatures typically reach the mid-70°’s and snow occasionally continues to fall well into late May on the Southern Rim.

Throughout September is where you’ll begin to see those summer crowds thinning as many visitors return to their hometowns with schools starting back up again following Labor Day. In fact, if you’re looking to visit the Grand Canyon during the fall season, it might be a good idea to take advantage and visit the North Rim before it’s closed for the Winter, as it houses some of the better expertly guided adventures, campground accommodations, and restaurants that the national park has to offer. Also, since the temperatures of the Grand Canyon’s interior become significantly lower during the fall, a September week spent on the North Rim is the optimal time of year to visit and hike the many trails offered at varying levels of expertise.

Over the past few decades, the Grand Canyon’s Western Rim has become a popular destination for tourists, courtesy of the area’s staggering views, visitor-friendly lodging, and white water rafting experiences. Though, the Western Rim’s Skywalk, a 10-foot wide horseshoe-shaped bridge of glass that extends 70 ft. out over the canyon at a bewildering height of 4,000 ft. is the main attraction to anyone who isn’t a member of the region’s native Hualapai Tribe. As this area is quite popular, the best times of the year to visit are during the Fall and Spring, with springtime being ideal for anyone wanting to use the skywalk to dry off after a white water rafting adventure. This is due to the fact that the Canyon’s official rafting season is optimally set between April and October. Though, if rafting interests you, be proactive and apply for a permit or book a river guide early to avoid waiting periods or crowds.

As previously stated, the Grand Canyon is famous for valid reasons, and there’s no “wrong time” to visit, as the famed American landmark and National Park are open year-round. So, prepare early and fully, decide on what time of year best suits your interests, and venture out to visit the piece of Americana that’s as naturally enticing as apple pie.

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