When to Go

When to Go

There's no bad time to visit the canyon, though the busiest times of year are summer and spring break. Visiting during these peak seasons, as well as holidays, requires patience and a tolerance for crowds. Note that weather changes on a whim in this exposed high-desert region. You cannot visit the North Rim in the winter due to weather conditions and related road closures.

Festivals to Plan Your Trip Around

May: Williams Rendezvous Days. A black powder shooting competition, 1800s-era crafts, and a parade fire up Memorial Day weekend in honor of Bill Williams, the town's namesake mountain man. 928/635-4061. www.williamschamber.com.

Sept.: Grand Canyon Music Festival. Three weekends of "mostly chamber" music fills the Shrine of Ages at Grand Canyon Village. 928/638-9215 or 800/997-8285. grandcanyonmusicfest.org.

Dec.: Mountain Village Holiday. Williams hails the holidays with a parade of lights, ice skating rink, Polar Express train rides, and live entertainment. 928/635-4061. www.williamschamber.com.