Grand Canyon in December?

[Ruben]

Hi everyone, newbie here (to the forum, and fairly new to RVing, although some experience)

We're going on a cross-country trip in December. We is; my wife, our toddler, baby and me. We'll take about 4 weeks to drive from Northern California to Florida. There are 2 basic routes we're considering;

1. Via Grand Canyon etc. Mainly because I've never been there and would love love love to visit this part of the US.
2. Drop down to San Diego, and take the Southern route.

The 2 main questions I have are;

1. What would your preferred route be?
2. Does anyone have experience with Grand Canyon in December? I know it can get cold, but would you discourage it with kids around that time?

TIA! 

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

It can be cold at the Grand Canyon in Dec.  The North Rim will probably be closed, the South Rim will be open but the weather may not be the best.

[Darryl&Rita]

Highways can be snowed in, too. Sometimes, I10 is too far north.

[2gypsies]

Here's the weather history for last December 2018 at the Grand Canyon:

High 59; Low 1

Average High 40; Average Low 14

That's very cold for camping although some do it.  You would need full winter gear for the toddler and baby.... and probably yourselves. The RV would be susceptible to freezing water pipes ..... and you'd use a lot of propane for heating.

Are you staying in Florida or will you be returning?  Best to do it on your return if in a better time period.

https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/us/az/grand-canyon/KGCN/date/2018-12

Edited August 27, 2019 by 2gypsies

[Ray,IN]

I agree with 2gypsies. I have heard of I 40 in Flagstaff being closed due to snow in these winter months months Dec,Jan,Feb, Mar.Apr. If you choose to use I 40, this website may be of great help: http://oss.weathershare.org/

It even has live weather/road cameras denoted on the maps.

Personally I would not take the risk with small children along.

[sandsys]

The Grand Canyon is lovely but NOT at that time of year in an RV. Frozen pipes are not fun. Especially when they thaw and you find all the leaks from pipes that burst when frozen. 

Linda

[trostberg]

I worked at Grand Canyon Dec-March and stayed in my RV.  I was winterized.   The Grand Canyon is as busy as the summer between Christmas and New Year and alot of international guests.  

Most days was at least in the 40s during the day.  If the weather does snow I40 is a horrible road to drive.  I would just watch the weather.

[Kirk W]

On 8/26/2019 at 7:54 PM, Ray,IN said:

I agree with 2gypsies. I have heard of I 40 in Flagstaff being closed due to snow in these winter months months Dec,Jan,Feb, Mar.Apr.

Me too. I have traveled I-40 in winter more than once and can tell you from experience that it can be treacherous in bad weather. Even if the weather is good, it will be cold for the children and can be very cold. If you are winter experienced people like some from ski country you may have the needed cloting for you and the children and if you have enough time to wait out any bad roads if the weather turns bad, then it could be a good experience. The canyon is very scenic in snow and quite different than in warm weather, but you need to be prepared for it.