Home › When to Visit › November
Grand Canyon - Things to Do in Grand Canyon in November

Things to Do in Grand Canyon in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

Good time to visit Shoulder Season · Good Value

November Weather in Grand Canyon

Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance

64°F (18°C) High Temp
43°F (6°C) Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking

Advantages
  • + November air on the South Rim is the clearest of the year. You'll see the Colorado River glinting 1,600 m (5,249 ft) below, not a hazy smear. Clarity stuns first-time viewers.
  • + Daytime highs hover around 12°C (54°F) on the rim. That's perfect hiking weather without July's sweat-drenching. Breathable fleece is enough.
  • + Elk are in rut. Sunrise at Hopi Point echoes with eerie bugling calls. The sound ricochets off Kaibab limestone. Bring your zoom lens.
  • + Hotel rates drop 25-30% after leaf-peepers leave. You can snag a rim-side room without the October bidding war. Book midweek for deeper cuts.
Considerations
  • − Sun sets before 5:30 pm. If you want sunset shots you'll race daylight savings time, not the canyon. Arrive an hour early.
  • − North Rim facilities close October 15. The higher, lusher side is now snow-locked, so you're stuck with drier South views. Plan next May for contrast.
  • − Morning ice patches form on Bright Angel Trail from spray freeze. Micro-spikes help but most tourists don't pack them. Rental shops in Tusayan sell out fast.

Explore Other Months

Find the best time for your trip

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Activities in November

Top things to do during your visit

Rim-to-River Day Hikes

November's cool 12°C (54°F) rim temps keep you from overheating on the 1,400 m (4,593 ft) descent to Phantom Ranch. Cottonwood leaves along the Colorado are gold and rust, something you won't see in May.

Booking Tip: Start 6 am latest to finish before trail ice forms. Book a licensed guide if you've never done 25 km (15.5 mi) with 1,500 m (4,921 ft) gain in one push. Check the booking widget below for current options.
Sunrise Photography Walks from Grand Canyon Village

The village's century-old stone lodges glow amber under low-angle light. Canyon layers shift from violet to coral in under ten minutes. November dryness gives razor-edge horizons without summer haze.

Booking Tip: Meet at 5:45 am. Local photo walks include tripod permits and hot coffee. Book 3-4 days ahead. Groups stay small so the rim doesn't look like a camera scrum.
Desert View Drive & Stargazing

After 6 pm the park becomes an International Dark-Sky zone. With 10-hour nights and zero humidity you'll watch the Milky Way rise straight out of the canyon. July monsoon clouds block this view.

Booking Tip: Drive Desert View Drive yourself, then join a ranger-led telescope program at 8 pm. No booking needed. Just show up at the Tusayan Museum lot. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate.
Hermit Road Historic Shuttle & Sunset

Private vehicles are banned March-November, keeping the 11 km (7 mi) Hermit Road quiet. November's elk herds graze beside shuttle stops at dusk. The sun drops into bass-wood-colored Vishnu schist.

Booking Tip: Hop the free park shuttle 90 min before sunset from Grand Canyon Village. No reservations. But seats fill. Board at the Backcountry Information stop, not the main visitor plaza.
Colorado River Flat-Water Raft Trips

Glen Canyon Dam releases are steady in November, giving glass-smooth water from Page to Lees Ferry. No white-water, just 25 km (15.5 mi) of canyon walls reflecting in 8°C (46°F) water with zero motorboat traffic.

Booking Tip: Trips run with heated boats. Book 7-10 days ahead as only two outfitters run November departures. Bring a fleece and wind-shell. Spray feels colder than air temps suggest.
Explore More Activities in Grand Canyon

Didn't see anything interesting yet?

Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Grand Canyon.

See All Grand Canyon Tours on Viator

November Events & Festivals

What's happening during your visit

Throughout November
Native American Heritage Month Talks

Daily noon programs at the visitor center feature Hopi, Havasupai, and Zuni speakers explaining ancestral trails inside the canyon. You'll taste blue-corn mush samples and hear flute music echoing off rim walls.

Packing Checklist

Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits

Need the full list with shopping links?

Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.

View Grand Canyon Packing List →

Essential Tips

Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid

Insider Knowledge
Book a Hermit Room at Bright Angel Lodge. These are the only units with claw-foot tubs facing the canyon. November cancellations let you switch at check-in if you ask politely. Carry two memory cards. Sunrise cold drains batteries faster, and swapping a warm spare revives the camera. The El Tovar wine list stocks Arizona Sangiovese. It's cheaper than California pours and pairs with bison chili after a 25 km (15.5 mi) hike. Free ranger geology walks depart 10 am from Verkamp's. November group size is smaller, so you'll hear the microphone.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming 'cool' means no sunburn. UV reflects off Kaibab limestone and doubles exposure at 2,100 m (6,890 ft). Skipping the 0.8 km (0.5 mi) Rim Trail between Powell and Maricopa Points. It's the best 15-min canyon preview without crowds. Relying on one water refill at Indian Garden on descent. November hours are shorter, and rangers often drain hoses at 3 pm for freeze protection.

Ready to plan your trip to Grand Canyon?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Top Things to Do

Curated attractions, tours, and experiences in Grand Canyon.

Browse activities →

Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

Find hotels →

What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for Grand Canyon.

See packing list →

Book Experiences in Grand Canyon

Top-rated things to do in Grand Canyon this November

Vegas: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lunch/Skywalk Options, WiFi

Vegas: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lunch/Skywalk Options, WiFi
★ 4.6 5726 reviews from $99
Book now on GetYourGuide →
Vegas: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Skywalk Option, & Two Meals

Vegas: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Skywalk Option, & Two Meals
★ 4.8 2918 reviews from $99
Book now on GetYourGuide →
4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim

4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
★ 5.0 752 reviews from $149
Book now on Viator →
From Williams: Grand Canyon Railway Round-Trip Train Ticket

From Williams: Grand Canyon Railway Round-Trip Train Ticket
★ 4.6 819 reviews from $117
Book now on GetYourGuide →
Half-Day Private Grand Canyon Guided Hiking Tour

Half-Day Private Grand Canyon Guided Hiking Tour
★ 5.0 230 reviews from $345
Book now on Viator →
Grand Canyon Tour from Tusayan

Grand Canyon Tour from Tusayan
★ 5.0 163 reviews from $249
Book now on Viator →

Continue Planning Your Trip

October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Where to Stay in November

Accommodation guide for Grand Canyon in November

Climate Guide in November

Weather and seasonal patterns for Grand Canyon in November

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Grand Canyon Like in November?

November brings cooler, quieter conditions to the Grand Canyon. The South Rim stays open year-round with daytime temperatures around 45-55°F, while nights can drop to the 20s. Crowds thin dramatically after Thanksgiving week, making it easier to secure parking at popular viewpoints like Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station.

What's the Weather Like at the Grand Canyon in November?

South Rim November weather averages 45-55°F during the day and 20-30°F at night. Early snow is possible, the rim sits at 7,000 feet, though most storms are light and melt quickly. The North Rim closes mid-October, so November visits focus on the South Rim where conditions remain accessible.

What Should I Wear Hiking the Grand Canyon in November?

Layer with a moisture-wicking base, fleece or down mid-layer, and windproof shell. Temperatures swing from near-freezing at sunrise to mild afternoons, so pack a hat, gloves, and sun protection. Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails can be icy near the rim, traction devices like Yaktrax help on shaded sections.

Is Antelope Canyon Worth Visiting in November?

Yes, Antelope Canyon sits 130 miles northeast near Page and sees smaller tour groups in November. Midday light beams are less dramatic than summer (sun angle is lower), but the slot canyon's wave-like sandstone remains impressive. Book Upper Antelope for easier access or Lower Antelope if you're comfortable with ladders.

How Does Bryce Canyon Compare to the Grand Canyon in November?

Bryce Canyon, 260 miles northeast, averages 10-15°F colder than the Grand Canyon's South Rim and sees more snow accumulation. Its orange-red hoodoos contrast beautifully with November snowfall. But trails like Navajo Loop can become icy. Visit both if you have four days, they show completely different geology.

Can You Raft the Grand Canyon in November?

Commercial rafting trips stop by late October, and the National Park Service rarely issues private permits for November launches due to cold water (48-52°F) and unpredictable weather. If you're set on a river experience, consider a smooth-water float from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, it runs year-round with outfitters like Colorado River Discovery.

Should I Visit Zion or the Grand Canyon in Winter?

Zion National Park sits 1,500 feet lower than the Grand Canyon's South Rim and typically sees milder November weather, daytime highs around 55-60°F in the main canyon. The Narrows may close due to cold water. But Angels Landing and Canyon Overlook remain accessible. Choose Zion if you want easier hiking conditions, or the Grand Canyon for well-known vastness and fewer crowds.

Is Backpacking the Grand Canyon Safe in November?

Backpacking is possible but requires winter experience. Permits are easier to secure, and trails like Bright Angel and South Kaibab stay open. Temperatures at Phantom Ranch (2,500 feet below the rim) remain comfortable, 60s during the day. But the rim-to-river temperature swing demands careful layering and a four-season sleeping bag for rim camping.

Are Grand Canyon Lodges Open in November?

South Rim lodges including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik Lodge stay open year-round. Phantom Ranch at the canyon bottom also operates through November, though reservations book months ahead. The North Rim closes after the first major snowfall, typically mid-October, so November visitors rely entirely on South Rim accommodations.

How Crowded Is the Grand Canyon During Thanksgiving Week?

Thanksgiving week sees a brief increase, parking lots at Grand Canyon Village fill by mid-morning, and popular trails become moderately busy. Book lodging three to six months ahead for that specific week. The week before and after Thanksgiving are noticeably quieter, with plenty of elbow room at sunrise viewpoints like Hopi Point.