Come explore the Grand Canyon in spring for beautiful scenery and the perfect weather for hiking and exploring.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Grand Canyon National Park — the temperature is perfect for hiking, crowds and prices are a little lower than in summer, and the days are longer than in fall and winter. I’ve visited in April and May and have fallen in love with spring at the Grand Canyon.

If you want to see the Grand Canyon in spring, we’ve got all the tips and info you need for planning your trip, from what weather to expect to where to stay and what to do at this bucket list Arizona destination.

Whether you’re setting up a Grand Canyon spring break road trip or just wondering if it is better to visit the Grand Canyon in March, April, May or June, we’ve broken it all down here.

You’ll also want to save the guides below to help you sort out all the details of your trip.

1 Day at the Grand Canyon Planning Guide

2 Days at the Grand Canyon Planning Guide

3 Days at the Grand Canyon Planning Guide

Grand Canyon Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Keep reading for how to plan a Grand Canyon spring vacation.

What is Open at the Grand Canyon in Spring

Parts of Grand Canyon National Park are open 24/7 all year, but some sections and amenities close for winter. Here’s what is open in spring at the Grand Canyon in spring. 

Grand Canyon South Rim in Spring

The Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round, though some facilities and bus routes do not operate in winter. Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View area both stay open throughout the year.

By March 1, everything is fully running and ready for spring vacations to the Grand Canyon, though there may still be some ice and snow on the trails.

Grand Canyon North Rim in Spring

The Grand Canyon North Rim shuts down for the winter season in mid-October, which means the main route into the park on state road 67 is closed and no visitor services are available.

It reopens around May 15 each year, so late spring visits are possible. Amenities on this side of the national park are much more scarce, but there is a lodge, visitor center, campground and trails. I visited the North Rim just a few days after it opened one year, and the weather was nice and warm.

Grand Canyon Weather in Spring

The Grand Canyon has great weather fluctuations depending on where and when you visit, with the coolest and wettest conditions at the North Rim and the driest and hottest some 6,000 feet below at the floor. The National Park Service website says that the temperature rises about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet down, which is especially notable in the hot summer months. We’ve summed up the spring months below, but you can get information for the whole year here.

Spring into early summer is the dry season.

Grand Canyon in March Weather

In March, the average high temperatures are 44 at the North Rim, 51 at the South Rim, and 71 in the canyon. The lows average 21 at the North, 25 at the South, and 48 in the canyon. This is the spring month with the heaviest precipitation, with some snow still possible at the rim and along the upper portions of trails. The North Rim is closed in March.

If you plan to hike at the Grand Canyon in March, bring winter hiking gear just in case, and check in with a ranger about the conditions of the trails.

Grand Canyon in April Weather

In April, the average high temperatures are 53 at the North Rim, 60 at the South Rim, and 82 in the canyon. The lows average 29 at the North, 32 at the South, and 56 in the canyon. Precipitation starts dropping off in April, with less than an inch on average for the month at the South Rim and inner canyon. 

This is a great month for doing long hikes down into the canyon from the South Rim as daytime temps are pleasant. The North Rim is still closed in April.

Grand Canyon in May Weather

In May, the average high temperatures are 62 at the North Rim, 70 at the South Rim, and 92 in the canyon. The lows average 34 at the North, 39 at the South, and 63 in the canyon. This is the second driest month of the year. 

Day hikes a couple of miles into the canyon are still enjoyable in May, but longer hikes toward the canyon floor can start feeling very hot in the middle of the day with the lack of shade. The North Rim road reopens mid-May, so overnight rim-to-rim hikes are possible with a permit for backcountry camping or a reservation at Phantom Ranch at the canyon floor.

Grand Canyon in June Weather

In June, the average high temperatures are 73 at the North Rim, 81 at the South Rim, and 101 down in the canyon. The lows average 40 at the North, 47 at the South, and 72 in the canyon. June is the driest and third hottest month behind July and August. 

Trails into the canyon will be very hot with little to no shade, so don’t plan to go more than a couple of miles on a day hike and start early to avoid the midday sun. The Rim Trail on the South Rim is a great alternative for the warmer months with several options along 13 miles, including some paved and shaded sections.

Grand Canyon Sunrise and Sunset Time in Spring

Watching the sunrise and sunset is one of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon, but you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure you’re at the right place at the right time.

Between the first day of spring (around March 20) and the last day (around June 20), sunrise times drop a minute or so each day from 6:29 a.m. to 5:11 a.m.

Sunset gets later each day, from 6:40 p.m. in mid-March to 7:48 p.m. by the last day of spring.

Grand Canyon National Park has a sunrise and sunset page that shows the exact times on the 1st and 15th of each month, and this website has day by day breakdowns that include twilight hours, too.

To watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon, you’ll want to get to your chosen lookout at least 30 minutes ahead to watch the sky change colors (an hour is even better). For sunset, viewpoints get very crowded, so plan to arrive at least an hour early and keep in mind that the shuttles lines will be long before and after sunset.

Things To Do at the Grand Canyon in Spring

With cool temps at the rim and mild and dry weather in the canyon, spring is the perfect time for Grand Canyon hiking and biking. We’ve broken down the best trails and viewpoints you can access in the spring below. If you have more than a day, you can also spend some time at the Yavapai Geology Museum, Kolb Studio and Tusayan Museum at the South Rim.

Grand Canyon Hikes in Spring

Trail of Time

The shortest and easiest walk on the South Rim, the Trail of Time is a paved and flat path with geological exhibits. Each meter along the 1.3-mile route represents a million years of canyon history and development. Start at the Yavapai Geology Museum to travel backward in time as you stroll toward Grand Canyon Village. Several lookouts and views are along the way.

Rim Trail

This South Rim trail runs about 13 miles, connecting amenities, viewpoints and other trailheads between South Kaibab on the east end and Hermits Rest on the west. Shuttle stops are available along the whole thing, so you can hop on and off to create your own hike. This is also a great biking trail.

For an accessible and family-friendly option, try the Greenway Trail section between the last three lookouts on the west end of Hermit Road. It’s about 3 miles one way, but you can take the shuttle to shorten it.

South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim runs 6.8 miles to the bottom of the canyon. For day hikes in spring, you’ll want to turn back by Skeleton Point at the 3-mile mark or Cedar Ridge at the 1.5-mile mark when the temps heat up.

There is very little shade and no water along the route, so midday hikes become pretty miserable by late May or June as you drop in elevation — and climbing back up is harder than going down.

Bright Angel Trail

Another option to the canyon floor from the South Rim, the Bright Angel trail is 9.3 miles long. Spring day hikers shouldn’t attempt more than the first 6 miles to Plateau Point, and by May or June, you’ll want to turn around sooner at the Indian Garden lookout at 4.5 miles.

This one has basic rest stops about every 1.5 miles with water sometimes available. Since it’s a steep hike, allow twice as long to climb back up as it took to walk down.

Hermit Trail

The challenging Hermit Trail starts at the far west end of the South Rim, which is less busy than the Grand Canyon Village area. Only experienced hikers should tackle the steep, 7-mile round-trip route to a hanging garden called Dripping Springs.

Grandview Trail

Grandview is a steep and difficult path on an old mining route off Desert View Drive. Day hikers can wander down 1,000 feet in elevation over 1.1 miles to the Coconino Saddle lookout or 2,500 feet in 3 miles to the Horseshoe Mesa campground. Other offshoot trails are recommended for only the most experienced hikers. In early spring, the upper portion can be icy and dangerous.

North Rim Trails

The less popular North Rim has more than a dozen trail options, most along the rim and through park forests to lookouts. The only maintained path into the canyon is the North Kaibab Trail, with popular day hikes to the Coconino Overlook (1.5 miles round trip) and Supai Tunnel (4 miles round trip). If you’re visiting the North Rim in spring, check out the other trails here.

Grand Canyon Lookouts in Spring

South Rim Lookouts

The South Rim has three main sections full of viewpoints.

The first is between the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Village, where popular spots include Mather Point, Yavapai Point and the Trail of Time, all within a couple of miles and easy to walk.

On the west end of the South Rim, the 7-mile-long Hermit Road has nine lookouts, including sunset favorites Hopi Point and Mohave Point. The road is closed to private vehicles most of the year, so the best way to get to these views is by hopping on and off the red line shuttle. You can also walk the Rim Trail between each one. 

Desert View Drive runs east from Grand Canyon Village for about 25 miles, leading to the east entrance and exit from the park toward Page, Arizona. This route is much quieter than the other two as you have to drive yourself. Designated overlooks here include Navajo Point, the highest one on the South Rim, and Desert View, where you can climb a stone tower for views of the Colorado River.

North Rim Lookouts

Many of the North Rim overlooks require a hike, drive or both.

The easiest vistas are near the North Rim Visitor Center, where you can follow a short path out to Bright Angel Point.

An 11-mile drive east will get you to the highest lookout in Grand Canyon National Park at Point Imperial.

About a 22-mile drive from the visitor center, Cape Royal is the southernmost viewpoint from the North Rim. You have to walk out nearly half a mile from the parking area, but the views over the Colorado River are worth it.

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon in Spring

There are a few resorts and campgrounds within park bounds, but more affordable hotels will be in gateway towns near the Grand Canyon South Rim. We’ve broken down the best options below. Reservations for lodging and camping in the park fill up fast, especially for summer and spring break stays.

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Campgrounds

The South Rim has three areas to camp — Mather Campground and nearby Trailer Village for tents and RVs in the Grand Canyon Village area, and Desert View Campground for tents and small trailers near the eastern park entrance. You can read more and make reservations here.

Grand Canyon Village

Grand Canyon Village is the South Rim’s hub of amenities and accommodations. There are six lodges to stay in here, including several historic ones like the 1905 El Tovar Hotel and the 1935 Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins. Find out how to book here.

Nearby Towns

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon North Rim

Campgrounds

The North Rim has one campground for tents and RVs with no hookups. Reserve a spot here.

Grand Canyon Lodge

Grand Canyon Lodge is the only hotel inside the park at the North Rim, open only between May 15 and October 15. It fills up way ahead of time, even though the North Rim is not as popular as the South Rim.

Nearby Towns

Cost to Visit the Grand Canyon in Spring

Admission to the Grand Canyon includes the North and South Rims for seven days. The current price is $35 per vehicle with up to 15 passengers or $20 per person if you visit another way.

Annual passes to the Grand Canyon are $70, or you can purchase an America the Beautiful Pass for $80 for a year of entry to all Federal recreation sites (that includes national parks).

There is typically one free entry day in spring at the start of National Park Week, which takes place in mid-April. Expect the park to be extra crowded on this day, though.

What to Pack for the Grand Canyon in Spring

Our Grand Canyon packing checklist has the clothes and gear you will need to bring to the national park in spring.