I’m going to visit my dad in Phoenix for Thanksgiving, and hopefully visit some friends in Las Vegas over the weekend (and see the city). And since I’ll be in the area, I’d be a fool not to see the Grand Canyon on the way. In fact, I want to take the long way around and see the north rim. My dad has a Harley he’ll let me borrow.
But I’m told it gets a little chilly around those parts at this time of year. Am I insane to even think about trying this?
Are you going to jump it? THAT would be insane.
According to weather.com, Grand Canyon Natl Park has an Average high of 52F and an average low of 24F in November. It’s a desert climate, so naturally it cools off quite rapidly once the sun sets! if you can get back by nightfall, I don’t see why it would be a problem.
I’ve been to the canyon that time of year (and almost every other time of year) and it was cold…scratch that it was COLD!
If you do it I’d look into some serious layering of clothes.
John F
The north rim closes in mid-October.
Phoenix > South Rim > Vegas and back sounds like a sweet ride, though. Chilly, but sweet.
Yeah, we made that mistake once when visiting Vegas. Rented a car and drove to see the North Rim. Didn’t know that they had closed it for the season.
Zion National Park was awesome however!
Well, that seems to have settled that question.
So how cold is the weather going to be on the south rim? From the maps I’ve checked, it looks like the places to actually see the canyon are pretty limited. (Not like there’s a road that runs along the rim.) Should I take the long way anyway? Anything to see at Lake Powell?
I came around a Grand Canyon corner at about 80 on a Z1 Classic only to confronted by an old Navajo woman and about 50 roadhogging sheep. Learn from my mistake.
Not insane for thinking it, but mildly nuts for doing it.
I did Zion, Bryce and that area in late November once. Gets cold as the sun gets low, and dangerously cold at night. Layer up and plan to be indoors by 5pm and you should have a fun trip.
Good tip, lieu, thanks.
Excellent. I aspire to be mildly nuts.
Who cares if you’re nuts, even if you end up huddled next to the running engine with your clothes stuffed with dried dessert grass for warmth all night, it will still experience.
I am very jealous of you.
Who cares if you’re nuts, even if you end up huddled next to the running engine with your clothes stuffed with dried dessert grass for warmth all night, it will still be an experience.
I am very jealous of you.
So are you planning on driving from Phoenix to Vegas, stopping by the Grand Canyon in one long day? I suppose it’s do-able, but you’re going to be running mighty short of daylight. I’m guessing it’s about a 500 mile trip which doesn’t leave nearly enough time for sightseeing.
The Grand Canyon is about 8000 feet above sea level, so it’s going to be pretty chilly there in November. Rte. 64 on the East end of the park is pretty scenic and once you enter the park there are lots of vistas.
It can be pretty cool/cold at the south rim. I spent Thanksgiving (and a couple days after) at the south rim last year. There was snow on the sides of the road, and at a few of the lookouts on the eastern end. But at the south rim village area, there wasn’t any snow. When the sun was out, and the wind was calm, it wasn’t too bad. But the wind kicked up one night, and it was buttcold.
Not sure what maps you’re looking at, but there is a road along quite a ways of the south rim (with plenty of lookouts to pull out into).