grand canyon

[Tanzanite]

I have been to Grand Canyon several times in summer but am planning to go Dec as family are visiting anyone gone this time of year is it doable/We always have car but wont this time any ideas where to book &prices ?

 

[skiingfast]

Are you looking for a hotel in LV or staying near the GC? How much time would you spend at the GC? It's winter so there could be snow.

 

[Tanzanite]

My mum & boyfriend coming to visit we want tovisit for the day we will be at the Ventian for 4 days they are coming from Europe for 2 wks& i would love for them to see Grand Canyon as it will probably be only chance to see it.

 

[skiingfast]

It's an all day trip from LV. I would say you could stop along the rim in a few areas and do some short walks, not hike into the canyon, in about 4-5 hours.

But It is about 4 hours to and from LV. So staying in LV this is an all day adventure.

You also drive by the hoover damn and can spend 2-3 hours there. Making it a long day adventure.

There is a small pass on I-40 that could cause some problems if you happen apon a storm. Also near the grand canyon it can snow. I don't know how comfortable you are driving in snow, but the people around this area driving through won't be going fast. The chance of a strom though is small.


I myself would go from LV early in the am, about 6, a duanting proposistion since I don't go to bed early when there. And plan to get back at about 10 at night. You would want to see the canyon and hoover damn during daylight.

There are hotels, in the park is the El Tovar, historic and old and not cheap. To more contemporary places, and cabin style lodging as well. In the park all the hotels are operated by Xanterra. Thier website will have info.

Also in Kingman which you pass through, it's where you go from highway from LV to the interstate, are several motels. I can recall an Econolodge and Holiday Inn, but it seems like there at least 5-10 places.

 

[Pakey]

You can do a helicopter tour; I arranged one for our visitors from China through Maverick; they were picked up at the Venetian. This one had a stop on the rim of the Canyon where they were able to have lunch (included with the tour) and take photos. They also flew over the Hoover Dam and were able to see that.

I think it was a 4 hour tour with about 2 hours of that time being the helicopter ride to/from the Canyon.

 

[Tanzanite]

You can do a helicopter tour; I arranged one for our visitors from China through Maverick; they were picked up at the Venetian. This one had a stop on the rim of the Canyon where they were able to have lunch (included with the tour) and take photos. They also flew over the Hoover Dam and were able to see that.

I think it was a 4 hour tour with about 2 hours of that time being the helicopter ride to/from the Canyon.

Ithink thats the tour my brother did when he visited me he arranged it through the hotel .Is there one company who is really good who did you use?Thanks T

 

[Tanzanite]

Sorry i see its Mavarick Thanks i will check with them.

 

[aboveH20]

I read this board a lot before our recent LV-Grand Canyon-Hoover Dam tour so want to "pay back" with some info to help others.

We drove from LV to the Grand Canyon (did not stop for Sky Walk, based on lukewarm reviews I read here and elsewhere). The drive is about 270 miles and went pretty quickly once we got past the Hoover Dam. Even with the new bridge it's one lane leading up to the bridge so it was slow going on a Sunday late morning.

One piece of advice--check the temperature before you go. We were there Oct. 23-26 and it was COLD. The average high was in the low 50s and the low was in the low 20s. Quite a wind was blowing, so check (and heed) the forecast.