Touring the Grand Canyon is always an unforgettable experience, that you are not going to regret. Even if it is more crowded than you would care for (of course there are lots of other people who also want to see the Grand Canyon on the same day that you do) and it takes a while to get there by car (about 4.5 hours drive from Las Vegas) you are not going to be bothered by the small inconveniences when you are looking out over one of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. The Grand Canyon definitely has a tourist season during the summer when it is warmer, and as a result of this you may find that the ideal time to visit the Grand Canyon is actually at the completely opposite time, during the winter. Depending on the type of experience that you are looking for, many visitors who go to the Grand Canyon in the winter actually prefer that time, and would suggest for you to visit during the winter too. Here are six reasons to book your winter Grand Canyon tour:
- It is far less crowded. The Grand Canyon shows tourism rates during the months between December and February thin down to about 10% of what they are in the summer. While there are still tour buses coming and going, you are going to find it far easier to get lodging and restaurant tables during the winter. Hiking is also far less crowded, and camping is a unique experience when there are less people around.
- Sunrise and sunset. In the winter the sun doesn’t rise and set directly over the canyon. This means that the brilliant colors that make up the canyon walls are more visible, and have more contrast than in the summer. Because the sun is not directly in your field of vision, you can see farther, and on clear days you can actually see mountain tops almost 200 miles away. From a visibility standpoint, winter is the best time to view the canyon.
- Roads are open. If you are visiting by car, many of the roads that are only open to tour groups during the high season open for regular traffic. Most notable is Hermit Road as well as the scenic drives that are only open from December to February to regular traffic, barring snow closures.
- Mild temperatures. The Grand Canyon actually gets very hot in the summertime, and hiking can get a little sweaty. In the winter, the temperatures at Phantom Ranch at the floor of the canyon generally stay around 60 degrees during the day. The higher elevations will get a little colder and will see the 40s with lows at night in the 20s, but most people view the cooler temperatures are a welcome reprieve from the summer heat.
- Winter wonderland. The canyon walls remain the same, but the colors that you get when they are covered with snow is something completely different. There are two different versions of the views of the Grand Canyon, and winter is just as spectacular as summer, just different and unique.
- Animals. There are going to be a lot more animals to view in the Grand Canyon during the winter than the summer. During the heat many of the animals are hiding from the sun during the day, which makes them more difficult to observe. During the winter, the cooler temperatures makes it easier for them to come outside and search for food, which gives visitors better viewing opportunities.
If you would like to tour the Grand Canyon this winter, book your tour early as we do see busy times when the buses sell out. Bindlestiff Tours provides adventure versions of tours to the Grand Canyon unlike other companies. Contact us for information and availability.