The Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon

One of earth’s most breathtaking natural scenes, a visit to the Grand Canyon National Park is right at the top of many travelers’ wish lists. Located in the corner of Arizona, the Canyon’s landscape is picturesque and its climate is subtropical. 

Like any area of outstanding natural beauty, the Canyon is a very popular tourist destination. If you’re planning a Grand Canyon vacation, whether with friends or with the whole family, there’ll be months you may want to pass on, but also times you won’t want to miss. Read on to find out when the best time to visit the Grand Canyon is for you – and find out more about the best Scottsdale vacation rentals to use as your base.

Horsehoe Bend

Knowing the Best Time to Visit 

The Canyon is at its busiest during the summer breaks. Between June and August, the park is filled with sightseers and vacationers soaking up the warm weather. During these months, temperatures can easily reach 29 degrees celsius, especially in the early summer when the Canyon is at its driest. Towards the end of summer, however, comes the Grand Canyon National Park’s monsoon season, where rainfall peaks. 

The least popular times to visit fall between March-May, and September-November, when both the temperatures and the crowds are more moderate. 

March-May

The Spring months offer cooler, comfortable temperatures for hiking, below-average rainfall, and minimal tourist traffic – which can make it a good time for a Grand Canyon vacation. While some areas like the North Rim might still be off-limits due to snow, the hotspots will be much quieter for a more serene trip, and National Park Week is in April. The temperatures are known to get very cool at night, though. In which case, you’ll need some cozy accommodation for when you visit the Grand Canyon.

Our luxury home rentals pride themselves on being suitable for any weather. If the weather’s not great for hiking one day, you can relax in the pool, cook in the outdoor kitchen, or spend time with family in the games room of our Scottsdale 73 villa, for example. 

The Milky Way over Monument Valley

September-November

Autumn marks another period with thin crowds and optimal temperatures for outdoor activities. The autumn colors can’t be beaten and, before the snow starts falling, the climate is mild. Vacation homes like the stunning Scottsdale 12 villa are complete with a pool to beat the heat in summer, and cozy interiors to shut out the snow in winter, making them ideal for Grand Canyon vacation rentals.  

Scottsdale itself offers a lavish cityscape known for its golf courses, spa resorts, and high-end boutiques.  If you’re planning a road trip through the US, Scottsdale vacation rentals are a must and are just a few hours away from the Canyon. If you’re looking to enhance your vacation experience, we offer an exciting range of Travel Extras alongside our villa rental services, such as park tickets and equipment rentals, to elevate your family vacation to the next level. 

Hiking at the Grand Canyon

Book with Top Villas 

Whichever month you decide to Stay in Arizona,  you’re guaranteed a first-class service when staying in one of Top Villas’s vacation homes. If you have any queries throughout your visit, our Guest Experience team is on hand to enhance your stay.

What’s more, with our new Affirm credit payment option*, you can spread the cost of your Grand Canyon vacation rental over a 3, 6, or 12 month period. When browsing, simply keep an eye out for properties with the Affirm banner.

*Subject to meeting Affirm’s credit criteria. T’s & C’s apply

Choosing Our Flex Homes 

Many of our vacation rentals also operate under a new flex cancellation policy

If you cancel within the specified time frame, no matter the reason, you will receive a full refund, Alternatively, you can amend your travel dates for free.

To gain from this peace of mind, simply reserve a vacation home with one of the following badges:

  • Flex 14 – Cancel for a full refund or amend your dates free of charge, up to 14 days before check in.*
  • Flex 30 – Cancel for a full refund or amend dates free of charge, up to 30 days before check in.*

*T’s & C’s apply.

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