Do I Need a Tent for Backpacking in Grand Canyon?
This question has been debated by backpackers since the early days of recreational exploration into the backcountry of Grand Canyon. Experience has shown that the old-schoolers generally tend to shun a cumbersome tent and its addition to pack weight. On the other hand, new-schoolers seem to prefer the luxury of a portable shelter. So what is the right choice for you?
The answer, as it turns out, depends on the expected weather conditions of a hike and personal preference. With the exception of monsoon season and the occasional storm, the use of a tent is largely unnecessary during the summer. You certainly won’t need it to keep warm at night. To save weight in the warm season many hikers carry just a ground cloth and perhaps a tarp if a 
rainstorm is possible. But if you have issues with creepy-crawlies like spiders, scorpions, and snakes (especially the nocturnal variety), then packing a lightweight tent may be a good idea.
It is far more common to see backpackers with tents during the winter in Grand Canyon. Heavier snowstorms and blizzards can extend all the way down to the Colorado River. Under these conditions a lightweight tent with a waterproof fly can keep a hiker warm and dry, making potentially miserable weather at least more comfortable. Of course, some hardcore hikers still don’t carry a tent in winter, but they prepare by packing warm synthetic sleeping bags and at least some kind of waterproof sheet in the event of heavy precipitation.
