| The Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument is mostly desert with rainfall averaging less than 10" a year. Temperatures vary widely depending on altitude, but generally the best times to visit are April to June and September to October. During these periods temperatures are more moderate and rainfall minimal. Unfortunately, gnats and deerflies are often bothersome in May and June. Summer months are hot with temperatures frequently reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit at lower elevations. Average highs are in the 90's; average lows are in the 60's. As is the case in all desert environments, temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets. July and August experience thunderstorms that tend to quickly come and go. The rainy season can last into September. In Winter, temperatures range from 15 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit with snow common at the higher elevations. |
