Community Forums

Chickadee · 03-03-2008, 05:26 AM

Hi All: We're hanging out in Benson, then Casa Grande, AZ waiting for winter to abate so we can move North to visit the Grand Canyon. Can anyone tell us WHEN (month/dates) it might be o.k. to move North up toward Sedona/Verde area, then further North up around....? say Williams or some place where it'll be pleasant evenings, and good access to visit the Canyon. We live in a 45 ftr. with Honda Element tow car. Frankly, we're getting pretty tired of the COLD and WIND we've been living in since December, and REALLY don't care to move into more freezing nights and cold days while visiting the Canyon. We know there aren't any guarantees, but when is the earliest chance of having pretty good weather up there??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

Chickadee · 03-03-2008, 05:26 AM

Hi All: We're hanging out in Benson, then Casa Grande, AZ waiting for winter to abate so we can move North to visit the Grand Canyon. Can anyone tell us WHEN (month/dates) it might be o.k. to move North up toward Sedona/Verde area, then further North up around....? say Williams or some place where it'll be pleasant evenings, and good access to visit the Canyon. We live in a 45 ftr. with Honda Element tow car. Frankly, we're getting pretty tired of the COLD and WIND we've been living in since December, and REALLY don't care to move into more freezing nights and cold days while visiting the Canyon. We know there aren't any guarantees, but when is the earliest chance of having pretty good weather up there??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

LindaH · 03-03-2008, 07:02 AM

This website shows average monthly minimum and maximum temperatures for the Grand Canyon.

We visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon the middle of April 2006 and the temperatures were very nice. However, since this winter has been colder, it may take longer for the temperatures to warm up. I'd recommend keeping an eye on the temperatures at any of the various weather sites, such as this one from Weather.com.

bkphotog · 03-03-2008, 07:04 AM

Hi Chickadee

Our son lives in Flagstaff and he tells us that this has been a very wet, snowey and cold winter. The "canyon" and most of Northern AZ is at elevation and it could be cold for most of March. The town of Williams is a bit lower in elevation but still could be snowey and cold. You just never know with "Mother Nature". It has been really different this year. Good Luck and just watch and listen to the local weather forecasts. Just be aware that stray storms can hit at any time when you are at elevation.

SRT · 03-03-2008, 08:20 AM

We were at the Grand Canyon last October. IIRC, the south rim is at 7800' so it will probably be chilly for a few more weeks. We really liked the shuttle system. But make sure you have reservations is you plan on staying at the Trailer Village.

Kablewizard · 03-03-2008, 04:47 PM

Howdy Steve, I am no weatherman, so its hard to predict exactly. I think because of the State parks an thing opening mid April you can statrt heading that way around then. The Patriot Guard are planning to hit Camp Verde the 24 of April and they say it will be nice up there. You can check with the Circle Pines KOA near Williams for there prediction on the weather, I am sure they would let you know with hopes you would stay with them, they have shuttles that go up there. So check them out.

skigramp · 03-03-2008, 06:35 PM

The south rim is "open" year around ... the north rim does not open until late spring (as I recall sometime in May)

The ski hill between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon has had a record snowfall this year ... so you need to hang around Casa Grande for another month unless you want very chilly nights ...

PS. Check the change in elevation as you move north from Phoenix to Verde, Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon ...

Chickadee · 03-04-2008, 03:58 AM

THANKS All!! Sure is nice hearing from folks who know an area. Looks like I just better get used to the idea of cold evenings for quite awhile yet. (No comfortable sittin outside in the evening playin the harmonica for awhile....dang !) Thanks also for you suggestions about campgrounds. Have yourselves a great spring & summer travel time. Steve & Lynette

Kablewizard · 03-04-2008, 06:39 PM

I just linked this to the Southwest region for some more local input from those that live close.

abarkl · 03-04-2008, 07:43 PM

You definitely don't want to head that way this week or weekend. They are releasing water from Glen Canyon and the rivers up north will be a flowing!

blacktie.shooter · 08-06-2008, 04:07 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chickadee:
Hi All: We're hanging out in Benson, then Casa Grande, AZ waiting for winter to abate so we can move North to visit the Grand Canyon. Can anyone tell us WHEN (month/dates) it might be o.k. to move North up toward Sedona/Verde area, then further North up around....? say Williams or some place where it'll be pleasant evenings, and good access to visit the Canyon. We live in a 45 ftr. with Honda Element tow car. Frankly, we're getting pretty tired of the COLD and WIND we've been living in since December, and REALLY don't care to move into more freezing nights and cold days while visiting the Canyon. We know there aren't any guarantees, but when is the earliest chance of having pretty good weather up there??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I can horn in on this thread for a sec, how about early to mid-October? Planning to go through Bryce, Zion, etc., last half of September, then on to Grand Canyon South Rim (meeting son & family in their coach.)

Digital Boy · 08-08-2008, 05:05 PM

We visited the South Rim of the GC in early March of 2007. We stayed at the campground owned by the Grand Canyon Railway. The RV park is spacious, level and paved. All sites are full hook-up.

We bought a 3 day 2 night package that included a train ride to and from the South Rim as well as two nights at the RV park (walking distance from the train).

The weather was probably high 50's during the day and low 40's at night. I remember that we wore our leather coats, gloves and hats. We really enjoyed our visit.

Kablewizard · 08-10-2008, 04:27 PM

You know, I really dont think any time is really bad, except the winter. Everyone who lives around here goes up north in the summer to escape the heat. So with locals and visitors it will be busey. after School starts around here again (last schools start here in Mesa tomarrow Aug 11) the locals are weekend only. Watch the news for the north rim closing in winter some areas Oct - April Cheri and I will be going up the end of August and will let yall know.

Come and visit and have fun.

Magoo · 10-26-2008, 01:31 PM

My cousin takes a troop of boy scouts into the Canyon each March. Snow & Ice on top. At the bottom t-shirt & shorts. They stay a week. Live off fish & MRE's.