Grand Canyon in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 61/100 · #10 of 12 months
November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Grand Canyon National Park: crowds run 62% of the July peak (326,699 average visits). Weather: highs average 51°F and lows 33°F, with 1.1″ of precipitation and 10.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Grand Canyon in November
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 33°F.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Grand Canyon in November: what the park service says
November is the North Rim's last month of the year: the park service keeps it open through November 30, or until the first major snowstorm if that comes sooner. Plan it as a day trip with a full tank, since the rim has no fuel, its campground and General Store are closed for 2026, and lodging is outside the park. Hikers should know the entire North Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are closed after the August flash floods, with no reopening date yet.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Grand Canyon averages 326,699 recreation visits in November — 62% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Daytime stays cool (highs average 51°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 33°F). It is typically dry (1.1″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GRAND CANYON VISITOR CTR, AZ US (1 mi from park coordinates, 7,083 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Grand Canyon in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Grand Canyon are February and April.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Grand Canyon crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 62% of the July peak, averaging 326,699 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Grand Canyon.
What is the weather like in Grand Canyon in November?
Average highs of 51°F, lows of 33°F, 1.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GRAND CANYON VISITOR CTR, AZ US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Grand Canyon in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Grand Canyon in December has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24