The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World for good reason. It is a truly awesome sight every time you stand on the edge of the rim. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there before. If you thought it was spectacular in the warmer months, seeing the Grand Canyon under a fresh blanket of snow will take your breath away.
That being said, Grand Canyon snow photography is a much different beast to tame than traditional Grand Canyon landscapes. While the goals of both types of photography remain the same, photos that really pop in the snow are often not the same awe-inspiring ones taken during the summer.
Plan Out Your Trip Beforehand
Winter weather introduces new layers of complexity and uncertainty to any kind of trip planning. At 7,000 feet above sea level, weather conditions at the South Rim can change rapidly and unexpectedly in the wintertime. As a result, your plan can go sideways in a hurry, which happened to us when we unexpectedly got caught in a blizzard exploring the Oregon Trail in Wyoming. Have a Plan B and a Plan C in place in case you need to unexpectedly spend the night somewhere or get stranded somewhere you didn’t expect.
Best Snow Routes to the Grand Canyon
The safest route to the Grand Canyon in the snow is via State Route 64 from Williams. The entire route stays below 7,000 feet elevation and has enough traffic that if you get stranded, someone will find you pretty quickly.
If you’re coming from Flagstaff, US-180 looks like a shortcut, but it comes with a catch. You’ll reach elevations of nearly 9,000 feet on a road that’s deserted and desolate as it snakes through the Kaibab National Forest north of the Arizona snow bowl. If you break down or get stuck, you’ll largely be on your own. Cell service is spotty to non-existent at best. We’ve driven US-180 in blizzard conditions, so trust us. Taking I-40 West to Williams and going up Highway 64 is much safer.
What Areas of Grand Canyon National Park Do You Plan to Photograph?
If you thing you can freely move around the park like you can in the summer, you’re going to be greatly disappointed.
- The North Rim closes for the winter in October, so you’re relegated to the South Rim.
- Park roads outside of Grand Canyon Village, including Highway 64, often close during and after heavy snow.
We know we’ve sounded like a broken record in the past when we’ve told you to stay away from Grand Canyon Village when taking photos. However, snow photography is the one exception to that rule.
In fact, you want to do the exact opposite. Center your plan for snow photography around Grand Canyon Village. In this guide, we will focus on the village itself, as well as nearby lookouts you can hike to if roads are closed.
Time Your Arrival as the Winter Storm Pulls Away
The most dramatic Grand Canyon snow photo opportunities occur when the clouds start to part as the winter storm pulls away. The shadows and snow create a stunning contrast as the sun shines through the broken clouds.
To correctly pull it off, you will have to thread a bit of a needle. Arrive too early and the heavy snowfall will obscure your view of the canyon. It will also make driving extremely treacherous. On the other hand, if you arrive too late, you’ll miss the most dramatic views.
Dress Appropriately
The weather, elevation, and high desert climate present a unique challenge. The best advice we can give you is dress in layers. You will see large swings in temperature as the sun goes in and out of the clouds.
Additionally, wear warm gloves that allow you to operate your camera without taking them off. Wear snow boots or waterproof hiking boots. In those conditions, you can get into serious trouble from hypothermia or frostbite very quickly if your feet get wet.
Let Your Camera Acclimate, Too
Cameras hate going through rapid changes in temperature. If you take your camera straight from the warm car out into the winter elements, you run the risk of the lens fogging up and condensation forming inside the camera body. You have two strategies to reduce the temperature gap and prevent lens fog.
- Store your camera in a cooler part of the car, such as the trunk.
- Tuck your camera under your jacket when you first step out in the cold to let it gradually cool down.
Grand Canyon’s high desert climate helps reduce lens fog and condensation. If it does happen to you (it’s happened to us plenty), just be patient. The lenses will clear up once the equilibrium is reached between the temperature inside the camera and the ambient outdoor temperature.
Expect Winter Driving Conditions and Road Closures
Winter driving in Arizona’s high country is not for the faint of heart. Expect rapidly changing conditions, occasional white-outs, and slow going. You don’t have to get much north of Phoenix to get into the snow and ice, either. The clump heading north out of Black Canyon City on Interstate 17 — only about 20 miles (30 km) from the northern fringes of Phoenix — is often where you first run into snow and ice.
Drive a 4×4 and Carry Tire Chains
The biggest mistake we see inexperienced drivers make in the snow is driving like they would on dry pavement. Unfortunately, that often leads to spin-outs, crashes, getting stuck, and winding up in the ditch. Even with four wheel drive, some people think they can drive normally.
Here’s the truth. Four wheel drive will help you get going from a stop and will give you some traction going around corners. Contrary to popular belief, it does absolutely nothing to help you stop. In fact, in certain situations, it can actually hinder your ability to stop safely.
Tire chains are your secret weapon to helping you stop and maintaining traction in the snow. They’ll also help you get going and make it up hills if you don’t have four wheel drive. You can purchase chains at most auto parts stores in the west. Make sure you buy tire chains with actual chain links on them. The ones that look like the cables you wire your television with do not give you much extra traction.
Know How to Use Your Chains
Before setting off on your winter adventure, practice putting your chains on in your driveway, You don’t want to try and figure out how to chain up on the side if the freeway in white-out conditions. Arizona does not have workers at the chain-up areas to install your chains the way California does. You’re on your own.
Finally, don’t drive faster than 25-30 mph (40-50 km/h) with chains on. Take it slow, stay in control, and you’ll have a great time at Grand Canyon.
Tip: If you’re coming from Phoenix, there is a chain-up area on Interstate 17 just north of the McGuireville Rest Area, which is near Mile Marker 300 in the Sedona area.
Expect Roads Leading to and Within Grand Canyon National Park to Be Closed
Encountering road closures is one of the main causes of frustration traveling in winter weather. Grand Canyon country is no exception. Always check road conditions before you set off, either on Google Maps or directly with the Arizona Department of Transportation or the National Park Service.
Roads That Almost Always Close During Heavy Snow
- Desert View Drive (SR-64) from Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower and East Entrance Station
- Hermit Road from Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest
- State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona to Flagstaff
Frequent Closures During Heavy Snow
- Interstate 17 between Munds Park and Flagstaff
- US-180 between the Arizona Snow Bowl and Grand Canyon Junction/SR-64
Roads That Generally Stay Open, but will Close if Conditions are Bad Enough
- Interstate 40 between Ash Fork/SR-89 and Winona, which is east of Flagstaff
- State Route 64 between Williams the the main entrance to Grand Canyon National Park
- US-89 from Flagstaff to Page
Carry Winter Survival Gear
You’ll be driving through remote and desolate territory as you travel from Flagstaff or Williams to Grand Canyon National Park. If you break down, spin out, or get stuck, you want to ensure you can stay warm and safe until help arrives. Winter storms in Arizona’s high country can strike fast and fiercely. Things can go sideways in a hurry if you’re not prepared.
At the bare minimum, you should carry with you:
- Extra water
- Extra food – Snacks such as cereal, granola bars, and trail mix work great
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Blanket and/or sleeping bag
- Change of clothes
- Extra pair of shoes or boots
- Snow shovel
- Ice scraper and/or snow brush
- Jumper cables
- Keep your gas tank at least half full. If you get stranded, run the heat to stay warm.
It May Take Significantly Longer than Normal to Get to Grand Canyon
You need to drive according to the conditions. We cannot stress this enough. If you’re driving through heavy snowfall or white-out conditions, expect to be moving at a crawl, even on major freeways such as Interstate 17 or Interstate 40.
Want some proof? We took a snow adventure to Grand Canyon in January, 2017. That day, snow levels dropped to about 4,500 feet elevation. Coming from Phoenix, we made the climb out of the Verde River Valley (about 3,000 feet) to the top of the Colorado Plateau (about 6,500 feet) on Interstate 17.
As we crossed that magical 4,500 foot elevation threshold, things transitioned from normal overcast driving conditions to a white-out blizzard in a matter of minutes. By the time we reached the top of the plateau, Interstate 17 was completely snow-packed and traffic slowed to about 15 mph (25 km/h). Keep in mind, the normal speed limit is 75 mph (120 km/h).
We couldn’t believe how many idiots we saw go flying by in the left lane trying to drive the normal speed limit. They were driving way too fast for the conditions. But here’s the kicker. For every vehicle that went flying by, we saw them less than 5 minutes later spun out in the ditch waiting for a tow truck. It took us over six and a half hours to drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon that day. It was worth every one of those extra minutes to get there safely.
Use the Main Entrance to Grand Canyon’s South Rim at Tusayan
Desert View Drive, which runs from the park’s east entrance along the rim to Grand Canyon Village, always closes any time there is appreciative snow accumulation. As a result, the South Rim’s Main Entrance is usually the only entrance to Grand Canyon National Park that is open. The main entrance brings you directly to Grand Canyon Village, which has the Visitor’s Center, restaurants, hotels, and all the other comforts you need. You’ll likely be cut off from those comforts if you use any other entrance.
Snow Photography is Different from Regular Landscape Photography
This is especially true at Grand Canyon National Park.
Think of the “classic” Grand Canyon photo you may see hanging in a bookstore or coffee shop. What was the photographer trying to capture? The Grand Canyon’s massive size? The geology and breathtaking relief? Its brilliant colors? Its native culture? The Colorado River?
If you’re thinking “all of the above”, let me welcome you to the challenges of Grand Canyon landscape photography. As spectacular as the canyon is, it is next to impossible to capture all of its elements in a single photo.
Thankfully, Grand Canyon snow photography is much simpler because you’re focusing on one thing: the snow. As for the geology, colors, and everything else, they’re what takes a great photo and makes it spectacular. It’s just icing on the cake.
Grand Canyon Snow Photography Strategy
Photographing Grand Canyon in the snow requires a vastly different strategy than classic Grand Canyon landscape photography. Unless the snow level gets really low – we’re talking almost all the way down to the river low – forget about the “full canyon” shots you gravitate towards in the summertime.
Instead, you want to focus on capturing snow on the canyon walls. Use either the outer walls of the canyon or the spires, temples, and buttes inside the canyon. We actually find the most dramatic photos are when you use a combination of both. You’ll get a distinct foreground and background that will provide pronounced depth to an already dramatic photo.
Additionally, you want to make sure your viewing angles are correct. There is an endless selection of lookouts along the South Rim for you to find the perfect photo op. If you’re not seeing anything looking left, look to the right. At Grand Canyon, what looks terrible in one direction often looks spectacular in the other direction.
Furthermore, shadows inside the canyon add flare, depth, and focus to photos any time of year. Low sun angles in the winter maximize this effect. After mapping out your favorite lookouts, come back throughout the day. Changing sun angles drastically alter Grand Canyon scenery throughout the day. A terrible photo op at 10 or 11 AM may turn into one of the best photos you’ve ever taken at 4 PM.
Use the Weather to Your Advantage to Make Your Grand Canyon Snow Photos Dramatic
You are taking snow photos after all.
Weather is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make any landscape photo really pop. For example, just have a look at some of our storm chasing photos.
An exiting winter storm presents an incredible opportunity to add weather to you Grand Canyon snow photography. To take full advantage, have a look at the weather radar and head to the part of the South Rim from where the storm is leaving. If it’s moving east, head to the east end of the South Rim. Go west if the storm is leaving to the western part of the park.
Regardless of where you set up to take pictures, the most common weather features you’ll see at Grand Canyon include:
- Snow or rain squalls moving across the canyon
- Dramatic lighting from the sun beaming through broken clouds like a spotlight
The Golden Hour is Still King for Grand Canyon Snow Photography
If you look at Grand Canyon photos in coffee shops, art galleries, magazines, and advertisements, you’ll notice a common thread. Most of them were taken close to sunset during the Golden Hour. That’s because the mid-day sun creates harsh contrasts inside the canyon, especially in the summer.
Luckily, low sun angles in the winter minimize the effect of harsh contrasts. Regardless of what the date on the calendar says, the best time of day for any Grand Canyon photography is the 60 to 90 minute window after sunrise or before sunset, more commonly known as the Golden Hour.
Keep the sun over your shoulder and use the strategies we just discussed during the Golden Hour. Your photos will be absolutely stunning.
Tip: At the South Rim, you’ll find the best photo ops looking west (left) in the morning and east (right) in the evening.
Don’t Get Frustrated if You Can’t See Inside the Canyon
You can still take great pictures.
All right, time for a quick meteorology lesson. Air parcels are constantly moving up and down through the atmosphere. Warm air near the ground rises. As it gains altitude, it starts cooling down.
Cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. The air parcel eventually cools off enough where it cannot hold any more moisture. At that point, the moisture condenses out in the form of clouds. The height at which this occurs is called the Lifted Condensation Level, or LCL. If there’s enough upward force to keep the parcel moving upward, additional moisture that condenses will fall as rain or snow.
In most synoptic (large) scale storms, the LCL is at most only a few hundred meters (1,000 to 2,000 feet) above the ground. Keep in mind that the South Rim sits roughly 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) above sea level. As the storm passes overhead, Grand Canyon’s width, steepness, and depth allow the LCL inside the canyon to fall well below the elevation of the run. As a result, clouds and precipitation obscure your view of the canyon.
If you encounter an obstructed or obscured view of the canyon, don’t panic. Your efforts haven’t been for not. You can still take great pictures. Here are a few ideas.
- Take a “snow globe” or “winter wonderland” photo from the Rim Trail or the surrounding forest
- Take close-up photos of plants and/or animals
- Lean in the the punch and let the obscured view add a touch of mystery to your Grand Canyon snow photos
Don’t Get too Close to the Edge
Just because you see snow accumulations at Grand Canyon does not necessarily mean there is actually solid ground underneath it. Snow has an uncanny way to defy physics that way. Don’t join the infamous club of people who have fallen into the Grand Canyon.
- Keep bushes or trees between you and the edge. You know for sure that they’re attached to solid ground.
- Look for footprints in the snow. They are a good indicator that there is solid ground underneath the snow.
- Use a long stick or hiking pole to prod the ground in front of you if you’re near the edge.
- Stick to areas that have railings and other safety mechanisms in place.
Hike the Rim Trail to Gain a Different Perspective
The Rim Trail runs 13 miles (21 km) along the South Rim from Hermit’s Rest to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Running right through the heart of Grand Canyon Village, the trail is easily accessible from the Visitor’s Center, the museums, and the lodges. Best of all, it’s paved, routinely plowed, and flat.
You don’t have to go far to get away from the crowds. Hiking for just 10 or 15 minutes east or west of Grand Canyon Village is often all it takes. We usually go further than that. If Desert View Drive or Hermit Road is closed, the Rim Trail provides at least some access to lookout points beyond Grand Canyon Village.
Tip: Do not hike any trails with steep hills or switchbacks, such as Bright Angel or South Kaibab. They are very icy, slippery, and treacherous after a winter storm.
Photo Opportunities that are Accessible by Car
If you prefer not to hike, no need to worry. There are plenty of lookout points along the South Rim you can drive to. In the immediate aftermath of a snowfall, road closures may initially restrict where you can go. However, both Desert View Drive and Hermit Road generally re-open within 24 to 48 hours after the storm ends.
Desert View Drive
- Yaki Point / South Kaibab Trailhead (also accessible via the Rim Trail)
- Moran Point
- Lipan Point
- Desert View Watchtower
Hermit Road
Hermit Road is open to passenger vehicles during the months of December, January, and February. Drive the full 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermit’s Rest. The lookouts along the way have some of the best views of Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Village
If roads are closed or you’re not feeling that adventurous, take advantage of the incredible snowy scenery within Grand Canyon Village.
- Mather Point (behind the Visitor’s Center)
- Bright Angel Trailhead and the Lodges on the Rim
- Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum
Despite the temptation, do not take photos through the glass from inside the Yavapai Geology Museum. You risk reflections, grit on the windows, and poor lighting appearing in your photos.
If You Don’t Want to Hike or Drive, Take the Shuttle
Grand Canyon National Park operates free shuttles so you can access lookout points and more throughout the South Rim. In addition to serving Grand Canyon Village, you can take the shuttle to Hermit’s Rest, the South Kaibab Trailhead, and Tusayan.
Shuttle service is pared down a bit during the winter, but you can still use it to access lookout points we just discussed above. If you’re going to Hermit’s Rest or Tusayan, be aware that shuttle routes vary seasonally, but everything else runs year-round.
For up-to-the-minute information on shuttle schedules and routes, please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website.
Know Your Limits
Any time you enter an extreme environment, even the smallest of mishaps can turn into a full-blown disasters. While Grand Canyon gets most of its notoriety from its scorching summer conditions, winter can be just as unforgiving.
Know the limits of not just yourself, but also your vehicle and your equipment. When in doubt, always remember our rule: If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, then don’t do it.
Drink Plenty of Water and Bring Snacks
While Arizona is best known for its sunshine and warm weather, winters at Grand Canyon are nothing to take for granted. The combination of the cold, the high desert, and the elevation can be deadly.
The threats from winter conditions at Grand Canyon are surprisingly similar to the threats in Arizona’s low deserts in the summer. The only difference is that you risk hypothermia instead of heat exhaustion. Indeed, you won’t realize your dehydrating until it’s too late.
While you don’t need to drink as much water as you do survive in the low desert summers, you should carry a water bottle and sip it throughout the day.
Additionally, you burn more calories at high elevation than you do at sea level. The cold further compounds that. Snacking throughout the day is the best way to keep your energy levels up. Just be careful if you eat lots of salty snacks. You don’t want to dehydrate yourself any more than you have to.
Final Thoughts
Seeing Grand Canyon under a fresh blanket of snow is one of the most beautiful and spectacular sights you’ll ever see. You’ll capture photos that are second to none. However, snowstorms in Arizona’s high country are not to be taken lightly. Come prepared, stay within your limits, and you’re bound to have an experience you won’t soon forget.
