Grand Canyon Trip - Suggestions!
- Thread starter Restless
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Blister
Well-Known Member
Price both, with the rental car, we went about 8 years ago and Vegas was the cheaper route. We left Vegas, stayed in Sedona, AZ for a couple of days of hiking, sightseeing, on to GC, stayed at a lodge in the park. Hoover Dam and a night at Lake Meade before returning to LV.
I've lived on the East coast all of my life, and everywhere we went was worth seeing. If you have never been out west it is like you are in a totally different country.
I've lived on the East coast all of my life, and everywhere we went was worth seeing. If you have never been out west it is like you are in a totally different country.
The Grand Canyon is neat, but after one hour your done. Spend your time in Vegas or LA .....JMHO
I was there in July. I flew into Phoenix, my friend lives in Gilbert, a suburb. We made the drive up to the Grand Canyon in one day and even took some lesser known roads instead of the interstate. From Phoenix, we took 60 towards Wickenburg, then towards Congress and north to Prescott. We made a few stops on the way and had lunch in Prescott. Then 89 north to Williams. North on 64 to 180 to Grand Canyon Village. We checked in and stayed at Holiday Inn Express. We had enough time to get into the park for the evening sunset pictures and a late dinner at one of the steakhouses.
The next day did the South Rim hike and visited all the vista points on our way out of the east gate of the park, 64 east to 89 south took us some beautiful painted desert areas and down through Flagstaff. We then took 279 to Sedona. It was dark and raining by the time we got there and couldn't find lodging, we ended up back tracking to Camp Verde for the night. Not much to see there, but it is close to a Casino if that interests you.
First thing in the morning we headed back to Sedona to a very pleasant surprise. The morning was bright and clear and we saw all the red rocks that we completely missed in dark the previous night. We hiked a few trails around the red rocks and lunched in town. Beautiful area! For the last leg of the trip, we did Interstate 17 back to Gilbert.
http://arizona-map.org/road-map.htm
http://www.southrimlodging.com/
The next day did the South Rim hike and visited all the vista points on our way out of the east gate of the park, 64 east to 89 south took us some beautiful painted desert areas and down through Flagstaff. We then took 279 to Sedona. It was dark and raining by the time we got there and couldn't find lodging, we ended up back tracking to Camp Verde for the night. Not much to see there, but it is close to a Casino if that interests you.
First thing in the morning we headed back to Sedona to a very pleasant surprise. The morning was bright and clear and we saw all the red rocks that we completely missed in dark the previous night. We hiked a few trails around the red rocks and lunched in town. Beautiful area! For the last leg of the trip, we did Interstate 17 back to Gilbert.
http://arizona-map.org/road-map.htm
http://www.southrimlodging.com/
LostNFound
Member
May I suggest researching the North rim. Its the area less traveled and populated by tourists. They book their cabins way in advance so if you want to stay in the park this summer, you may actually be too late to book in the North rim. There are lots of ways to see the grand canyon and lots of web sites to help plan your stay. Even youtube has some good info to help in planning. Going to Vegas and driving is very popluar and seems like a fun way to do two trips in one- a few days in Vegas, drive to the canyon, few days there and then back to Vegas air port for a late flight. Hoping to stay at the North rim next June. As I started my research I see Im too late for this year. Would rather not do the typical tourist trap type visit, so advance planning was needed.
Blister
Well-Known Member
Definitely book your lodging, and any special side trips, ie. rafting, or guided tours as early as possible. We booked in park rooms about 8 months ahead with no problem, but an overnight horse trip and campout down the canyon on a nearby Reservation was booked until the following summer. As far as the North Rim, from what I have read and heard from people that have been there, it is a big change in climate, making the timing of your trip very important.
Thank you all for your input! I'd much rather get it from people who have been there recently than guide books that think we are all millionaires and can spend a fortune on the trip. We won't be doing any river rapids, mule rides, etc. just the basics. As it is, we will be straining our budget. :/
desertrat
0_0
Driving from Phoenix is a much prettier trip, especially if you take the route through Sedona. From Vegas you get to see Hoover Dam though and that is very cool. Either way get away from the main overlooks and take a short hike to a spot along the rim. Worth it.
If you want to hike into the canyon and stay overnight, you need an overnight permit. Those book out a year in advance for the popular campgrounds. You can to to the ranger office and see if someone cancelled and pick up a permit for the same day.
When hiking in, it's the opposite of climbing a mountain. It gets warmer as you descend. There may still be snow on the north rim and you can be in a t-shirt at marble canyon.
I second the recommendation for the north rim. Take some headlamps and good shoes/boots. Drive out to Cape Royal before sunrise and walk out to Angels Window for the sunrise (don't run over one of the million Kaibab deer in the process, they like to camp out on the road).
When hiking in, it's the opposite of climbing a mountain. It gets warmer as you descend. There may still be snow on the north rim and you can be in a t-shirt at marble canyon.
I second the recommendation for the north rim. Take some headlamps and good shoes/boots. Drive out to Cape Royal before sunrise and walk out to Angels Window for the sunrise (don't run over one of the million Kaibab deer in the process, they like to camp out on the road).
thakidistight
Wanker
Are you kidding right now? After an hour you havent even scratched the surface. Check out Havasu Falls on the Havasupai Reservation too, Restless. A place I will definitely check out one day, but make sure youre ready for a lil hike, you can rent a mule for the hike part if you want to also. Sad that some people would rather sit in a windowless room full of neon lights and money taking machines than explore the natural wonders around them, but hey it takes all kinds. Turn your speakers down if you dont like annoying electronic music... [video=youtube;kd2AQQ8p118]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd2AQQ8p118[/video]
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desertrat
0_0
Not really, just keep a low profile and use an obscure trail. lol. We camped overnight near Yuma point after finding out on the trail there were a bunch of rangers where we had planned on going. The trail was a bit hard to find in some areas having been wiped out by rockslides.
