The Grand Canyon in December
The South Rim stays open in winter, and December is one of its coldest months. The average daytime high is 43 °F (6.1 °C) and the average night low is 18 °F (-7.7 °C). An average December brings 8 inches (20.3 cm) of snow. The days are short, with sunrise at 7:20 a.m. and sunset at 5:14 p.m. on 1 December.
Expect a different canyon from the summer postcards: snow on the rim pines, icy trails and low sun. The roads can close for short spells. Check the forecast before you leave. For the view from above, see the Grand Canyon helicopter tours, which start in Tusayan, and compare the guided tours below.
Our pick: a guided day in winter
A day trip from Phoenix with hotel pickup, so you do not drive icy roads yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Grand Canyon winter tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and helicopter flights around the South Rim.
Grand Canyon in winter: roads and trails
What to expect on the ground.
Main roads and AZ 64
The South Rim is open all winter. AZ 64 and Desert View Drive can close for a time when snow or ice builds up. Check road conditions before you set out for Desert View.
Desert View Watchtower →Hermit Road by car
From December to February private vehicles under 22 ft may drive Hermit Road, snow permitting. The Red Route shuttle does not run on it in winter. You can also walk or cycle the road all year.
Hermit Road →Winter hiking
Trails ice over. Slip-on traction aids and trekking poles are recommended. Do not count on an ice-free route, and keep at least 2 m (6 ft) from the edge. In 2026 the open trails below the rim are limited, so read the hiking page first.
Hikes and closures →Services at Desert View
The trading post and the market and deli at Desert View have closed for the season. Camping there is closed and there is no lodge. A card-operated fuel pump runs around the clock.
Mule ride on the rim
A rim mule ride runs at 10 a.m. from December to February, about 4 miles and 3 hours, 2 of them in the saddle on the rim, at $192.96 per person including taxes and fees in 2026. Confirm your booking and arrive at least 90 minutes before the start.
Weather in December and January
At rim height December and January are the coldest months of the year. Day highs stay in the 40s °F, and nights fall to the high teens °F. An average of 8 inches (20.3 cm) of snow falls in December and 12.9 inches (32.8 cm) in January. These are long-term averages, not a forecast, and a white Christmas is possible but never certain.
Dress in layers, with a warm hat, gloves and boots with grip. The day is short, so start early.
The full monthly table is on the weather page.
Grand Canyon Railway and Polar Express in December
Two different trips from Williams.
The regular train to the canyon
In November and December the train leaves Williams at 8:30 a.m., arrives at 10:45 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m., reaching Williams at 4:45 p.m. The ride takes 2 hours 15 minutes each way. There is no regular canyon train on 25 December. Extra trips can be added when demand is high.
Grand Canyon Railway →Polar Express in 2026
The Polar Express is a separate evening ride from Williams, not a trip to the canyon. Departures are at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and the whole ride takes between an hour and about 90 minutes. You reserve it separately, and the exact dates and prices should be checked in the booking calendar. Adults are 16 and over, children are 2 to 15, and a child under 2 on a lap needs no ticket. Taxes are extra.
Where to stay in December
Lodging in the park is suspended in 2026.
Lodging run by the park concessioners has been suspended since 31 August 2026 after flood damage to the water line. A new treatment plant is expected to start from mid-November, distribution may begin around Thanksgiving, and filling the tanks would then take about 45 more days. All of this is provisional, so do not plan around a reopening date. Tusayan, Williams and Flagstaff are the bases to use. See the lodging guide for distances and the camping situation.
Grand Canyon in December: frequently asked questions
Is the Grand Canyon open in December?
Yes. The South Rim and both entrances are open 24 hours a day all year. AZ 64 and Desert View Drive can close for a time because of snow or ice, and several services are limited in 2026.
How cold is the Grand Canyon in December?
The average December high is 43 °F (6.1 °C) and the average low is 18 °F (-7.7 °C) at the South Rim. Snow is common and trails can be icy.
Does the Grand Canyon Railway run on Christmas Day?
No regular canyon train runs on 25 December. In the rest of December the train leaves Williams at 8:30 a.m. The Polar Express is a separate evening ride and does not go to the canyon.
Can I drive Hermit Road in December?
Yes, from December to February private vehicles under 22 ft may use it, if snow allows. The Red Route shuttle does not run in winter.
Can I hike into the canyon in winter?
Only on the sections that are open, and with traction aids and poles for the ice. The Bright Angel Trail is open from the rim only as far as the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse in 2026, and the South Kaibab Trail is open to Tipoff.