The Grand Canyon truly is a bucket list destination and no one can prepare for just how grand this place really is! The views here are staggering and we can’t imagine anyone visiting and not being completely wowed by it.
However, being prepared can make a MASSIVE difference to how much you enjoy your trip to the Grand Canyon. After all, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, so a little planning can go a long way.
So here’s the top 10 mistakes you will want to avoid when visiting the Grand Canyon.
Mistakes to avoid at the Grand Canyon
1. Visiting in the summer
In general, summer is the worst time to visit the Grand Canyon. The heat and the crowds make it a pretty challenging time to visit and anything but a cursory look at a few viewpoints will feel a lot harder than at other times of year. The crowds are so big that the chance of parking in the park itself are slim to none. That means you will have to queue to get the shuttle bus!
The heat makes any hiking exhausting. We don’t recommend even attempting the stunning Bright Angel or South Kaibab trail in the summer unless you are going very early. Even then, the park recommends turning around early so that you don’t suffer heat exhaustion.
If you can, we’d recommend visiting in the spring or fall for the best weather and ability to do just about anything.
2. Writing off the winter
Following on from the point above, winter in the Grand Canyon can be a magical time of year to visit. The snow on the top of the mesas makes for a spectacular sight and the crowds are at their lowest at this time of year.
Not only does this mean you won’t have to struggle as much to park, but you can get reservations at the historic accommodation along the rim, for an affordable price and at much shorter notice!
It can get cold, but it isn’t too bad (and it’s pretty warm compared to the northern states!). It’s also a great time of year to hike below the rim, as the temperatures are pleasant - not too hot, not too cold.
Just make sure you pack the right gear. We started our walk with Yaktrax on to help with the snow and ice and ended in a t shirt and wishing we’d brought shorts!
That’s what an incredible temperature difference there can be between the rim and the bottom of the canyon!
We loved our winter trip and would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure you book at least two days, in case one is foggy, which is the only downside to a winter visit we can think of.
3. Not realising the North Rim is shut for half the year
Due to heavy snowfall the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is generally only open between 15 May and 15 October. It sits at a much higher elevation than the South Rim which is open all year round. If you had your heart set on visiting both rims then you need to plan your trip around the five months of the year that both rims are accessible.
4. Not arriving early enough
Arriving early at any time of year makes a big difference, come at midday and the majority of parking spaces are gone. This is particularly true in the summer, and there’s nothing worse than driving for hours to sit in a queue when you’re so close!
It may be painful, but if you get up really early, you’ll miss the majority of the queues and the park is more enjoyable. If you really can’t face an early start, then park outside the park boundary and get the shuttle. This way you can avoid the traffic jams (but you’ll still have to queue for the bus!).
5. Only going to a couple of viewpoints and then leaving
The viewpoints are absolutely staggering at the Grand Canyon but you don’t really get a feel for the place by just seeing a couple and moving on. We’d recommend spending at least one night in the area to really soak up the beauty of the place. Catching a sunrise or sunset here is something you’ll never forget.
6. Not hiking below the rim…
Even if you are not an avid hiker, the trails below the South Rim are out of this world and worth making the effort for. The views are completely different to those at the top of the rim, instead of looking down into the canyon, it looms over you and it’s a truly mesmerising sight.
If you aren’t a massive hiker you really don’t have to go far to get some feel for being inside the canyon, even going half a mile each way will give you a taste of it.
A section of the South Kaibab Trail
The two best hikes are the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. Both offer stunning views from just below the rim and allow you to truly take in the enormous scale of the Grand Canyon. They are two of the best day hikes we’ve done in the world, so don’t miss out!
The Bright Angel Trail
7. But believing you can hike to the bottom and back in a day!
So you can walk down to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and back in a day, but we don’t recommend it (unless you are a navy seal and crazily fit).
You can do a loop by combining the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trail, but they are so steep that it even hurts a bit on the way down!
On the way back it’s quite a slog, so put them together in the same day and it’s a punishing affair - especially if you are doing this any time of year other than winter.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t see of the best of these trails in a day. You don’t have to go all the way to the river to see some unforgettable scenery as the views from Cedar Ridge/Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab Trail and Indian Garden on the Bright Angel Trail are spectacular.
As we said earlier, go early, pack a lot of water and be wary of the heat, then you’ll have a great time.
8. Giving up on booking Phantom Ranch
Staying at Phantom Ranch is a truly special experience. This rustic lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon only accepts a limited number of campers and hikers each night, and the spots sell lightning fast, most go on a lottery system.
However, don’t give up! Cancellations are fairly common, so you need to keep checking. We checked every day for months and managed to get a cancellation a week before we were due to arrive. The effort is worthwhile as staying at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is an experience that few people get the chance to do. Checking the website so often felt futile for a while but we were so glad we never gave up!
Phantom Ranch
We also asked the rangers at the park and they said it is worth checking on the day as they have some people that don’t show up and they allow you to book their spot. Check early in the morning at the Bright Angel Lodge.
9. Leaving it too late to book accommodation
It’s a no brainer, but accommodation goes quickly at the Grand Canyon and if you leave it too late you’ll find yourself spending most of the day in the car. The accommodation options near the South Rim are pretty limited and sell out quickly, so plan ahead if you don’t want to be staying in Flagstaff or Williams (which are 1 - 1.5 hours away).
We’ve stayed in three lodges at the canyon and at both Williams and Flagstaff (yes we really did love the Grand Canyon that much!) so we give you the full low down on what each option is like in our guide to the best places to stay at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
10. Not having the right gear for hiking
The conditions for hiking the Grand Canyon can be extreme - from snow and ice in the winter, to scorching heat in the summer. This means that if you plan on hiking, you’ll need the right gear. Plenty of water is a must, as there are few places to fill up the Bright Angel Trail and nowhere on the South Kaibab. You will want to bring a lot in the summer as there is no shade, and the exposure and heat will be very dehydrating.
In the winter, you will need warm weather clothing and - very importantly - traction devices for your shoes if there has been snow and ice. As the snow compacts and sometimes turns to ice, the top of the trails can become pretty slippery. Yak Trax or traction devices that slip over your shoes will make all the difference to your enjoyment. You can get them for between $20 - $30 on Amazon or REI.
Then you have the extremes of hiking below the rim in the winter, where you will go from snow and ice on the rim to hot temperatures on the canyon floor (the temperature can be 15C - 60F warmer at Phantom Ranch than the rim)!
Packing suggestions for the Grand Canyon
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, whether it’s hiking during the hot summers, or the potential snow in the winter. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: An essential for any visit! Check for sunscreen on Amazon or REI
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon, REI or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check out REI or Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check then out on REI or Amazon
For winter
Where to stay at the Grand Canyon South Rim
We stayed in so many places around the Grand Canyon South Rim that we’ve written a full detail (unsponsored) guide to each place, including distance from the rim and value for money. Where to stay at the Grand Canyon South Rim.
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Are you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon? Have you been and have any recommendations for having the best time? Let us know in the comments below!
