Grand Canyon National Park

Winter Travel to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

In our journey this winter, we ventured from Las Vegas and Hoover Dam to Zion National Park and Horseshoe Bend. But our exploration wouldn't be complete without visiting Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is more than just a big hole - it is a wonder to behold. I encourage everyone to make the trip to the Grand Canyon to truly observe its magnitude in awe.

Traveling to the Grand Canyon

There are multiple ways to get to the Grand Canyon, but if you are coming from Page, Arizona and Horseshoe Bend, the majority of your trip will be through Navajo nation. I would highly encourage you to make any necessary pit stops before getting on the road, because there are not an abundance of places to stop along the way. Although, lacking in places to stop, this road does offer some amazing scenery, foreshadowing more to come. A good place to get out and stretch the legs along this journey is at Cameron, before turning onto the road that runs along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the Grand Canyon Village and main visitor center. If you are looking for some souvenirs, the Cameron Trading Post has a huge selection of beautiful gifts, including local Native American art. And they will ship items to your home if you don't want to fit extra items in your suitcase.

Driving Along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Even if you have limited time, a great way to see much of the Grand Canyon is by driving along the South Rim and stopping at marked overlooks to take in the scenic views. From East to West you can go from Desert View Watchtower to Hermit's Rest and everything in between. Each visitor center stop offers unique perspective on the Grand Canyon. Whether it be about geology of the canyon, Native American culture of the region, or even history of exploring the Grand Canyon and its history within the National Park Service. In addition to the interesting exhibits, each overlook offers different points-of-view of the canyon itself and sometimes even the Colorado River deep within.

Lodging at the Grand Canyon

The accommodations at the Grand Canyon Village are quite nice, albeit at a higher price than your standard lodging. It is hard to beat staying overnight so close to the edge of the canyon and being able to roll out of bed and catch the sun rising upon the canyon. What a splendid view, not to mention how beautiful the night sky is here.

Despite the price, I would definitely recommend lodging somewhere in the Grand Canyon Village during your visit. Otherwise, you will travel a decent way to the nearest hotel. If visiting during more ideal weather, there are many camping options, as well, both in the national park and the surrounding national forest.

In addition to lodging, there are also many great options for dining within the Grand Canyon Village. I highly recommend visiting the El Tovar Hotel during your stay and having a meal at its restaurant. This historic hotel has housed many famous people, including President Theodore Roosevelt. The restaurant offers a fabulous view, overlooking the canyon, as well as very delicious food.

Rachael and I opted for some tasty, Southwestern dishes. I enjoyed my prime rib hash, complete with sauteed peppers, tomatoes and onions on a bed of diced potatoes and topped with prime rib and poached eggs with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. Rachael's Eggs Sonoran were delightful. Her dish included chorizo, black beans, peppers, and eggs served atop tortillas with refried beans inside and all drizzled with a ranchero sauce and pepper jack cheese.

Winter at the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular National Parks in the U.S., with millions visiting annually, but the winter time allows visitors to the park to enjoy less crowds of people.

The North Rim receives additional snowfall during winter, being approximately 1000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim. Roads to the North Rim are closed after the first snowfall and can only be accessed by hiking through the canyon from the South Rim.

However, the South Rim remains open to visitors year-round, with a few exceptions of some restaurants and perhaps some trails depending upon daily conditions. The South Rim is definitely the more popular destination, and it offers views of the Colorado River which can't be seen from the other side.

Do take caution when choosing to hike at the Grand Canyon during winter months, as trails can become snow and ice covered. Even the different rim trails, which offer easy hiking, can become more challenging with ice. The very popular Bright Angel Trail, which allows visitors to hike or ride by mule into the canyon and back, was a sheet of ice during our visit. The National Park Service recommended using crampons over your hiking boots, to offer extra traction when walking on ice.

Overall, we had an amazing visit and I highly recommend it to everyone. If you choose to go in winter, I would suggest dressing warmly and in layers, as the temperature can fluctuate greatly throughout the day. Also, be prepared for it to be windy atop the canyon. I hope you get a chance to visit. If you have visited before, please leave a comment about your experience. Be safe and happy trails!