Grand Canyon Travel Forum

Hi there - I'm planning in September to take a 2-week tour of the National Parks & Canyons, and I have the option of it being the first fortnight, middle fortnight (my preference, timewise) or last fortnight. I've looked at average weather info, and it looks like rainfall in September averages 0.5 inch - 2 inches, which doesn't sound too bad for visibility of, in particular, the Grand Canyon?

And when do the kids go back to school after the summer break?

Thanks

Steve

Most US schools will be back in session by early September so certainly by mid-month you will avoid most of them. BTW it would also be cool to see a great thunderstorm in the GC. Probably an awesome sight.

It would be outstanding to see a thunderstorm in the canyon, yes! Maybe AFTER I've had the helicopter ride and I'm back on terra firma! :)

Later in September is one of the better times to go. The earlier you go, the more crowds you'll see and the hotter it will be. The only downside is that the nights will be cooler.
The desert gets random, violent rainstorms in the summers, but it usually stops by mid-September.

September is a great time to visit the GC. In 2006, we were there around September 11. It was stormy the day we arrived, coming in the east entrance, and we got some great shots. Here is my album from that trip:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EYs2jhw4cMXfg&notag=1

Hi Steve, I would personally opt for the last 2 weeks but that is MHO. If you want to get away from the crowds try the North Rim, just as spectacular and a few million less people. BTW, have a great day tomorrow (26th)

I agree on late September. But planning around school year in the US is not much help. A lot of schools are year around so the normal school year that you think of is out the window. However, most "traditional" year schools are back in session by late August or first week of September.

Mike - stunning, stunning photos

Paul - thanks for the birhday wishes

all - Thanks for all the advice ... I've now booked the trip - the middle weeks, and we'll be at the Grand Canyon late in week 3. Looking forward to it.

Which of the other National Parks are you planning on going to?

The crowds should be thinning out by September - what is a fortnight?

Mid to later September the "rainy" season should becom less.

The reason I ask about your plans, there is so much to see and do around the Southwest part of America.

Mike

My wife and I hiked in the GC in late Spet. and it was beautiful, OK you CAN get some surprising weather...it snowed the night before our hike! But, highs were in the low 80's and coupled with low humidity levels it was gorgeous! Enjoy your trip to the GC and do yourself a little favor and at least take a short hike "below the rim" you won't be disappointed! This Nat'l Park is an awesome wonder! Check out my GC travel pages and if you have any questions/concerns leave me a message.

Thanks guys.

Mike - is "fortnight" a word only used this side of the pond? = 2 weeks.

Which other places?: it's a package tour, and I can't remember all the places (age!), but includes Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone Park, Mt Rushmore (I think), and loads of others. It's one of those "It's Monday, it must be Belgium"-type tours ... wham bam ...

In American popular vernacular it's not used, but most know it just from reading classical British lit (we're all required to take a class of it in high school).
You can do Bryce, Zion, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, Escalante, Cedar Breaks and tons of others in that region. There are also some great state parks in that corridor, like Valley of Fire near Vegas, that are often ignored.
Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone are pretty out of your way though. Yellowstone's amazing though, and the drive up through Utah is great, but you shouldn't try to do it in two weeks. Just enjoy yourself and don't worry about "seeing everything."

I don't have a choice - it's a fixed package tour. We'll be covering a lot of miles and travel will be tiring, but it's the way some of us do things. I went with the same tour company to India last year: we averaged 6 hours a day travelling (excluding breaks!). I vowed not to do that again, yet here I go again!

Oh, gotcha.
Well, driving yourself, especially for that extensive of a distance, has its perils and trials all the same, so maybe you'll enjoy it more on the tour. I've always found that the Southwest is more about the in-betweens and not the national monuments and parks. But that may just be me.
6 hours/day is a little much for just sitting. Hopefully our roads are better enough to the point where you won't spend quite so much time on a bus. I'm sure it starts to get a little rank on there after a few days.
Enjoy.

Hi Colin,

I have to agree,I drove us from LA when we did the N.P's and stuff the first time we were in the S.W., but the second time I came by myself and apart from the walk in Canyonlands to Druids Arch I hardly touched a N.P. Slot Canyons and Indian rock art hunting were mainly what I did. I know what I prefer but for some people it's not always feasible. I'm sure that whatever he does he's going to enjoy it, and perhaps go back later,as I did, for a second taste.

Your roads will undoubtedly be better than those we experienced in India. Some well surfaced roads, and much upgrading (to dual!) is going on there, but much was dusty country roads, sometimes potholed. Where upgrading is happening, was often the worst - turning onto new tarmac, bumping onto old road, and back, and so on ... Repeat: your roads will undoubtedly be better!

I'll have reading material and listening stuff, to cover the times when there's not much to see.

Rock art: that would be great to see. I experienced some in South Africa, and maybe some will feature in this trip. I'll have to wait 6 months to find out!