AN AUTUMNAL GRAND CANYON

By Teresa Bitler

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a special place during the fall

The Grand Canyon is beautiful any time of the year, but some argue it’s at its peak during the fall. Fewer people crowd the overlooks once school starts, and temperatures drop to pleasant levels. Plus, some canyon trees sport fall colors.

FALL ON THE RIMS Grand Canyon National Park has two entrances. While the South Rim remains open year-round, the North Rim closes October 15, before snow makes the entrance impassable. Until then, the North Rim offers the best opportunity to see quaking aspen turn golden in the park. But visitors who can’t make it there can still appreciate pops of color from Gambel oak and Fremont cottonwood at lower elevations.

Cooler temperatures at both rims make exploring more pleasant, too. At the North Rim, high temperatures average about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in September but drop another 10 degrees by the end of October. The South Rim is warmer, with an average high in the mid-70s in September. By November, though, the average high is just above 50 degrees. Visitors will want to dress in layers since weather can change suddenly at either rim.

VIEWING THE CANYON During the summer, the park encourages visitors to the South Rim to park and use shuttles to get to the overlooks. In the fall, when there’s less congestion, it’s easier to drive the park’s scenic routes. And because temperatures are so much cooler, fall is a great time to walk the Rim Trail. Along the way, Mather Point has one of the most

The Colorado River is visible at Lipan Point

The Grand Canyon is the ancestral homeland of 11 tribes, including the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Hualapai and Havasupai tribes.

The Grand Canyon is beautiful any time of the year

famous views of the canyon, and Hopi Point is a park favorite for sunsets.

Fall is ideal for hiking into the canyon as well. That’s because temperatures are roughly 20 degrees hotter in the canyon than on the rim. In other words, when it’s 80 degrees at the trailhead, it will likely be 100 degrees on the canyon floor. Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail and gives hikers the option to turn around at the second tunnel before the descent becomes too steep.

OTHER THINGS TO DO For second-time visitors and those staying longer, there’s more to do in the fall than view the canyon and hike its trails. Cyclists can rent bikes through mid-October from the park’s concessionaire and pedal the park’s dedicated routes. Mule rides along the rim and into the canyon are available year-round, although reservations are required.

For a new perspective, the adventurous can fly over the canyon in a helicopter or plane, or tandem skydive with the canyon in sight. Allegiant passengers should book these adventures well in advance to ensure their spot.

For more information about exploring the Grand Canyon at any time of the year, visit their website nps.gov/grca.

Fall is the perfect time to explore the interior of the canyon