Want to know what to wear in Grand Canyon National Park? This Grand Canyon packing list tells you EXACTLY what to pack and what to wear in Grand Canyon National Park no matter whether you are traveling in Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall.
Grand National Park is a relatively difficult park to pack for as it has quite extreme seasons. In fact there are definitely easier and more pleasant times to visit than others. However no matter what month you visit we have Grand Canyon outfit ideas for you.
Most visitors to Grand National Park tend to visit between the months of April and November. During the Winter (classified as December, January and February), you may find the weather too cold to enjoy the park while the Summer months in Grand Canyon are very hot. In this guide, we will tell you what to wear and what to pack for Grand Canyon during the peak and off peak season including:
- What the weather is like in Grand Canyon month by month
- What to wear in Grand Canyon for hiking, water activities and more and
- other travel essentials to pack for Grand Canyon National Park.
Note: this Grand Canyon packing list is not intended as a Grand Canyon camping packing list, instead for those spending their days in the park. If you plan to camp in the national park check out this post.
Weather in Grand Canyon National Park by Season
But before we get into what to wear and travel essentials for Grand Canyon National Park it is important to know what the weather is going to be like.
Summer in the Grand Canyon is when you will see the crowds and the temperatures soar. Summer is classified as June, July and August with July and August being the hottest months.
During Summer you can expect temperatures to range from average lows of 64.4F to highs of 93.2F. But out in the desert with little to no shade trust me it can feel even hotter. With these temperatures, it is therefore important to have light layers made of natural fabrics which are breathable in the heat.
It is also worth pointing out from Mid-June through to September is monsoon season in Arizona. Therefore during this period, it is important to have some waterproof wear with you and it is important to be aware of flooding and any advisories.
The shoulder seasons of Fall and Spring are classified as September, October and November, and March, April and May respectively. And it really depends on the month of travel as to what you can expect from the weather. May and September still have pretty summery temperatures.
However in the other months you are looking at high temperatures in their low 20Cs / highs of 60s and 70sF and low temperatures around 10C/c.50F. Note: November is significantly colder than other shoulder season months.
Grand Canyon in Winter (considered as December, January and February) however experiences average highs only in the high 50s F.
What to wear in Grand Canyon National Park (year-round)
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So now you know about the weather, we will tell you what to wear in Grand Canyon no matter the time of year you are travel before we look at Winter specifically.
It is also worth noting that while we traditionally create packing lists separated out by gender to allow for dress codes and fashion, however practicality is key to any Grand Canyon packing list so this list is universal.
But for Grand Canyon we recommend packing:
Layers
Layers are your best friend in Grand Canyon. As although the temperatures get very high in the afternoon, if can feel very chilly when you are out early in the morning. For this reason we recommend always having an outfit for Grand Canyon that contains lots of light layers.
I always travel to all National parks with a fleece as a top layer. These pack away into day packs easily but also are quick drying should you get wet while out on a hike.
T Shirts
T shirts are my favorite base layer for Grand Canyon no matter what time of year you are visiting. However for summer be sure that they are made of natural fabric to help reduce sweating.
Shorts/ Pants
For all national parks I recommend wearing convertible walking trousers. These can be worn as full length trousers during early mornings. However by the time the sun comes up you will want to have shorts.
We also recommend having some other shorts with you such as quick dry shorts which are good for hikes during the monsoon season in Arizona.
Packable Jacket
Although it is hot in summer it is still worth having a pack away jacket with you. As you won’t need this all the time in Grand Canyon be sure to pick a jacket that can be packed away really easily.
Hat
The sun can be strong in Grand Canyon so we recommend having a hat with a wide brim or a baseball cap to protect your eyes.
Hiking Socks
Even though the temperatures are high, we prefer hiking boots over sandals in Grand Canyon especially if you plan to do longer hikes the park. And if you are wearing hiking boots you will also want good quality hiking socks with you which can help prevent blisters.
However if you just plan on wearking sneakers then sneaker socks may be more appropriate.
Best Shoes to wear in Grand Canyon National Park
So now you know what to wear, we turn our attention to footwear.
Hiking Shoes
Now not every national park visit will need hiking boots, however Grand Canyon is definitely a park I recommend packing hiking boots for. However just be sure to pack a lightweight pair that is breathable and good for hot weather.
Sneakers
On top of hiking boots I also recommend packing sneakers. I like to wear these in towns around the Grand Canyon like Kingman, Flagstaff, and Page and in the Visitor Center.
Hiking Sandals
I personally like boots over sandals as they offer more protection for your feet. However if you aren’t concerned for this and want to keep your feet cool then walking sandals are a great pick. My favorite brand of walking sandals are Teva.
What to wear in Grand Canyon National Park in Winter
My what to wear in Grand Canyon National Park in Winter actually has a lot of overlaps with the items we put on our packing list for any other time of year.
The main difference is in the thickness and amount of items. For instance, I still recommend bringing a jacket, however as the temperatures peak in the 50s F you will want a thicker and warmer jacket with you than just a pack away one.
I also recommend buying fleece lined pants instead of convertible walking trousers for extra protection against the cold. And if you don’t have these or don’t want to buy new ones, I recommend wearing leggings under your walking trousers.
On top of these layers we also recommend having a hat, scarf and gloves with you for cold days in the park.
What to pack for Grand Canyon National Park packing list
Day pack
Any day we spend in a national park we take and pack a day pack. My favorite backpack brand is Columbia but this is a purely personal choice. If you are traveling to Page in Winter or during the Monsoon season then we also recommend packing a waterproof rain cover for your backpack too to ensure your stuff stays dry if you get caught in a downpour.
If you are looking for the Grand Canyon rim to rim hiking packing list check out this post
Power Bank
Days are long in the Grand Canyon and cell phone reception is sporadic at best. This combined with using your phone for photos, maps and searching for signal mean your battery will drain quickly. For this reason we recommend having a fully charged power bank with you to recharge your phone during the day.
Sun protection
The sun can be strong in Grand Canyon . For this reason we recommend packing a good quality sun screen with you even if you are hiking in Winter.
Sunglasses
It is important to protect your eyes from the Sun even in Winter, so no matter when you are visiting Grand Canyon be sure to add sunglasses to your packing list.
Reusable Water Bottle and Extra Water
We recommend always having a reusable water bottle for national parks however this is especially important if you are visiting Grand Canyon in Summer.
Coffee Thermos and Mug
Your days start early in Grand Canyon on National Park to beat the crowds and the heat. To make the early start easier we recommend packing a coffee thermos and mug so you can get your caffeine hit in the park.
Snacks
Refreshment stops are limited in Grand Canyon so we recommend taking plenty of snacks into the park with you and potentially a packed lunch also.
First Aid Kit
Although no one wants to use a first aid kit on vacation, it is a good idea to pack a first aid kit with you on any national park vacation just in case especially if you plan on going on more remote hikes..
Map
![Grand Canyon, North and South Rims [Grand Canyon National Park] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419Y-ycyVUL._SL160_.jpg)
Whether this is a downloaded map on your phone or a physical one it is worth having a map with you that shows the trailheads you plan on taking.
Camera
Grand Canyon is absolutely breathtaking, in fact I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the US, so trust me when I say that you will want a camera with you.
Toilet Paper, Hand Sanitizer and a She wee
The toilets in any national park outside of the main visitor center tend to be pretty primitive. For this reason we recommend packing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a she wee with you.
What not to pack for Grand Canyon National Park
So now you know what to pack for Grand Canyon , we will turn our attention to what not to pack.
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics are not your friend in Grand Canyon National Park, especially if you are visiting in summer or the shoulder seasons. Synthetic fabrics make you sweat more and this is something you definitely do not want in summer.
Drones
Drones are classified as unmanned aircrafts and are as such prohibited from being flown in the park boundaries.
Complete Grand Canyon Packing Checklist
- Layers
- T Shirts
- Shorts
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Hiking Boots
- Shoes – either sneakers or hiking sandals
- Backpack
- camera
- binoculars
- map
- sun protection
- coffee thermos and mug
- resuable water bottle
- food
- first aid kit
FAQs about what to pack for Grand Canyon National Park
So now you have your general Grand Canyon National Park we will answer your frequently asked questions:
What do you wear to the Grand Canyon Skywalk?
To enjoy the Grand Canyon we recommend heading out on some hikes. The terrain in the park is uneven and for this reason we recommend wearing hiking boots or hiking sandals in the parl/
However when you visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk you will be given booties to cover your shoes to protect the glass skywalk.
What to wear for hiking in Grand Canyon National Park?
If you plan on hiking in Grand Canyon National Park we recommend packing and wearing:
- Closed Toe Shoes such as hiking boots – much of the hikes in the park have uneven terrain and I find closed toe hiking boots are the best shoes for the trailheads here.
- Quick Dry Clothes – For monsoon season.
- Hat and sunglasses – it is important to protect your skin and eyes from the sun no matter what time of year you visit the park.
On top of these you may want to also pack
- Walking Sticks
- Backpack with Waterproof Bag
- Plenty of Sun Protection
- Adequate Water and Snacks
What to wear in Page, Flagstaff or Kingsman?
Page, Flagstaff and Kingsman are some of the most popular towns to visit the Grand Canyon with. The good news is these gateway towns aren’t particularly formal places therefore you can wear trousers and nice tops easily when going out for dinner in the town.
Further National Park Reading
And if you plan on visiting other national parks be sure to check out our other national park guides:
- What to wear in Arches National Park
- Joshua Tree Packing List
- What to wear to Yellowstone National Park in Summer
- What to wear in Yosemite National Park in Summer
What else would you add to this list? And if you have any questions leave them in the comments below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.