We are considering taking a tour of the Grand Canyon and parks in Utah, but concerned about what the weather would be if we go in Spring.
We don't want to be snow bound and don't want real cold weather, but we have another tour in July and don't want to do this tour close to the July tour.
Throwing out another suggestion, but what about late fall? We visited Zion National Park over New Years and it was fantastic. I think it would have been even better in November!
It depends on when in spring you go, but you're probably safe if you go in May and really even mid-to-late April. My son-in-law went to the Grand Canyon in mid-April for 10 days a few years ago with no problems. And I've spent time in Utah in May, and the weather was really lovely.
Of course, there is always that possibility (I've driven through snow in June before out that way), but generally once you get towards the end of April and then May, you should be okay.
One thing that makes this a difficult thing to answer is that including the parks in Utah, you are looking at a big difference in elevation.
Grand Canyon NP - 7,000' at the south rim
Zion NP - about 4,000' at the Visitor Center in Springdale.
Bryce Canyon NP - 8,000'-9,000' at the rim
Arches NP - 4,000' at the Visitor Center
March is rainy season for Zion. Bryce might still have snow. I'd go late March or early April. You'll still need jackets for Grand Canyon and Bryce but Zion and Arches will be reasonable temperatures.
Are you doing tours of the area? Road Scholar has some very good tours of these areas although definitely not in depth.
Our family experiences over the last few years...Bryce cold with snow on the ground first week of April. Zion Thanksgiving week, sat in lawn chairs down by the river in Springdale nearing 80 degrees. Last week on opening day of North Rim of the Grand Canyon sunny, long sleeves and no jacket needed during the day. BTW, North Rim, due to the fire last year, the sweeping view is blocked off, not just the historic hotel that burned down.
You just never know what you'll get! Always glorious!
We've been to those parks several times in April and never encountered snow on or near the roads. I think it's a good time to go. Summer would be too hot and crowded. A real treat was the Fruita orchard at Capitol Reef, trees in bloom against the red cliffs. That was early April, but hard to predict just when in a given year.
what the weather would be if we go in Spring.
Spring Starts: Saturday, Mar 20 4:24 pm EDT
Spring Ends: Monday, Jun 21 10:10 am EDT
Depends when during "Spring" you go, what sort of weather is likely.
