Zion / Bryce Canyon / Grand Canyon in the Fall?

My wife and I are looking into heading out that way later this year and are wondering if one of you folks out in that area can tell us how the weather is in September or August. Being east-coasters, we haven't a clue what it's like out there at that time of year. Any help would be appreciated.

August will be extremely hot at grand canyon. It will start to cool down in September. Zion and Bryce will still be warm but not to bad probably in the 90's.

All three locations have a good chance to be in the middle of monsoon season. Afternoon thunderstorms with very high humidity to go along with the high temp. However, this also mean you will get incredible skies to photograph. You may also have issues with wildfires.

Average High/Low at Grand Canyon Village:
August - 81/49
September - 75/43

Zion Natl Park
August - 97/64
September - 89/56

Bryce Canyon
August - 76/45
September 68/37

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is at an elevation of 7000' and temps are quite moderate. What's unique about the GC is that it gets hotter as you go deeper into the canyon. It can be a very comfortable 80 degrees at the rim and still be well over 100 down at river level.

Hope you do, in fact, come see some our natural splendor out here in the west!

Thanks for the info, folks. We're really hoping we'll be able to pull this impromptu trip off.

September would be a wonderful time for the weather. Zion will be much warmer than Bryce and since they are north of the Grand Canyon, hit the north rim. I think it's just as beautiful as the South Rim, much less crowded and cooler. It's a fantastic trip no matter what time of the year, though.

Ooooh big +1 for the north rim...

I spent a week based out of Page, AZ last September and one of my day trips was to the North Rim. It was just amazing.

Some images in this gallery:

http://www.pbase.com/f​lyingphotog/northern_a​z

Thanks guys - great info to have! Love the pictures on your galleries - great stuff! Hopefully I'll get this trip in gear.

Page, AZ. Antelope Canyon a must. Was there 2 weeks ago. Upper and lower both great.

Thanks again everyone - the trip is starting to come together. We're heading out for 2 weeks in September, flying into Vegas and then heading to Zion; Bryce Canyon; Page, AZ (north rim of GCNP); and Williams, AZ (south rim of GCNP) - plus other destinations in the area. Wow, I'm psyched!

That's a great trip...the wife and I did that same loop (Zion-Bryce-Page) last October. You should also try to get a permit for the Wave formation...the trailhead is about 30 minutes north of Page. Access is limited to only 20 people per day, and the permit can be obtained by an on-line lottery or in-person at the Ranger station on the day of. If you go the on-line route, you'd need to apply approximately 4 months prior to your visit...the lottery winners are selected 90 days prior to the visit date. Check the NPS website for more details. Its worth seeing.

Also, try the book "Photographing the Southwest", by Laurent Martres. Its a 3-volume set that covers Arizona, Utah, etc. You don't have to buy all three...they're very indispensable. Amazon has them fairly cheap...

EDIT: Also, if you do Zion first, and then head to Bryce, you'll pass Red Canyon on Highway 12 heading to Bryce. You may want to give that place a vist for a few hours...great trails and scenery, lots more hoodoos. Very red, and also not very crowded.

You are going to love this trip .We were in bryce one september and hung around for a ranger led telescope viewing....it dropped to 28 degrees....be prepared! enjoy!