Grand Canyon Vacation?

[imktdqt810]

I'm all OVER the place with trying to do research with my son for his 2023 HS Grad present. At first the research was all about a Cruise to Alaska (he loves nature, became an Eagle Scout this year and is def an outside guy). So I asked on a few threads about different ships. He threw me a curve ball today (out of the blue) saying "What about we go to the grand canyon" which I also know NOTHING ABOUT! For example I had no clue the closest airport was over 4 hours away. So I am just curious if anyone has been to the Grand Canyon, did you rent a car, where did you stay, did you book things to do while there or just drive to different places to sight see? Thanks in advance.

 

[Meriweather]

Well I live 5 hours away, so we drove my car.
Renting a car would be best.
Lots to do in the park and the surrounding areas.
We just did a 6 night trip in Oct. DD and DGD's first time to the canyon.
We drove to Out of Africa for the day, then to Williams and spent the night. Went to Bearizona and then into the park. We stayed inside for 3 nights. DD is the hiker and went off on her own several times. This year, of course, was different that usual.
The we went to Flagstaff and spent 2 nights there. Went to Meteor Crater and to Petrified National Forest.

But with a teenager, and if things are normal, there is plenty to do in the park itself. Lots of trails, hikes, ranger talks and info. You have plenty of time to research.

 

[design_mom]

We did it in 2016. We flew into/out of Las Vegas (but I think Phoenix is a little closer). We rented a car and drove to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon (south rim), then drove around the canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

We enjoyed the Grand Canyon but we all enjoyed Bryce and Zion as much/more. The Grand Canyon is definitely impressive, but unless you're in good enough shape to hike down/up (I'm not) there's not that much hiking to do. We found Bryce and Zion to be equally impressive (on a smaller scale) and more hike-able for our abilities.

 

[imktdqt810]

Well I live 5 hours away, so we drove my car.
Renting a car would be best.
Lots to do in the park and the surrounding areas.
We just did a 6 night trip in Oct. DD and DGD's first time to the canyon.
We drove to Out of Africa for the day, then to Williams and spent the night. Went to Bearizona and then into the park. We stayed inside for 3 nights. DD is the hiker and went off on her own several times. This year, of course, was different that usual.
The we went to Flagstaff and spent 2 nights there. Went to Meteor Crater and to Petrified National Forest.

But with a teenager, and if things are normal, there is plenty to do in the park itself. Lots of trails, hikes, ranger talks and info. You have plenty of time to research.

Thank you for the information. I looked at airfare a few mins ago just to get an idea of flight time and leaving in the morning puts us out there in the afternoon (with time change) so it might be worth it to stay near the airport the same day we arrive since it will be a long day (driving To the airport, long flight etc) then getting a rental the next morning. Yes, will def have time to figure it all out! That is as long as DS doesn't hit me with "something tropical" out of the blue tomorrow. LOL

 

[JimMIA]

I'm all OVER the place with trying to do research with my son for his 2023 HS Grad present. At first the research was all about a Cruise to Alaska (he loves nature, became an Eagle Scout this year and is def an outside guy). So I asked on a few threads about different ships. He threw me a curve ball today (out of the blue) saying "What about we go to the grand canyon" which I also know NOTHING ABOUT! For example I had no clue the closest airport was over 4 hours away. So I am just curious if anyone has been to the Grand Canyon, did you rent a car, where did you stay, did you book things to do while there or just drive to different places to sight see? Thanks in advance.

You should probably post on the DIS California and the West board.

The whole area of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is just amazing. You could spend months there. Grand Canyon, unless you are going to do a rafting trip or hike to the bottom, is really a 1-2 day trip -- but there is SO much do see and do elsewhere.

We spent 2+ weeks in Northern AZ a few years ago and could easily have spent a month.

ETA: My avatar is from Lower Antelope Canyon in Northern AZ, just east of Page, AZ. Amazing place -- one among many.

 

[bcla]

For example I had no clue the closest airport was over 4 hours away.

Not quite. There's an airport in Flagstaff that's serviced by American Eagle and United Express. There's also an airport right there in Tusayan near the South Rim entrance. That one serves air tours but has no scheduled passenger service.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

What @design_mom said. We flew into Las Vegas, much cheaper than Phoenix for us. Drove to Grand Canyon, stayed at one of the lodges in the park. Used the buses to get to different spots on the south rim. Sunrise and sunset are the best times.

We have been twice from Maryland. Once went to Sedona with our 22 and 24 year olds. We were all unimpressed but loved Grand Canyon.

Went again, just DH and I. Added Bryce and Zion, loved them. Also Cedar Breaks.

It is worth seeing.

 

[imktdqt810]

We did it in 2016. We flew into/out of Las Vegas (but I think Phoenix is a little closer). We rented a car and drove to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon (south rim), then drove around the canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

We enjoyed the Grand Canyon but we all enjoyed Bryce and Zion as much/more. The Grand Canyon is definitely impressive, but unless you're in good enough shape to hike down/up (I'm not) there's not that much hiking to do. We found Bryce and Zion to be equally impressive (on a smaller scale) and more hike-able for our abilities.

Thank you for the information. Yes, Phoenix is about a 4 hr drive and online it states Las Vegas was 5 1/2 hrs. I will need to look into Bryce and Zion also. I will need to figure out a good plan to get the most of the location without making us "on the go" every waking moment! Thanks again!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We drove from Phoenix when I went years ago.

 

[imktdqt810]

You should probably post on the DIS California and the West board.

The whole area of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is just amazing. You could spend months there. Grand Canyon, unless you are going to do a rafting trip or hike to the bottom, is really a 1-2 day trip -- but there is SO much do see and do elsewhere.

We spent 2+ weeks in Northern AZ a few years ago and could easily have spent a month.

ETA: My avatar is from Lower Antelope Canyon in Northern AZ, just east of Page, AZ. Amazing place -- one among many.

Thanks for the tip on posting on the DIS Cali and West Board, I might wait a few days to make sure this seems like a "real thing" that DS wants to do. Not sure about rafting or a hike to the bottom (we have rafting here in WV and DS isn't interested in it at all). But good to know there is tons to do out in the area!

 

[imktdqt810]

Not quite. There's an airport in Flagstaff that's serviced by American Eagle and United Express. There's also an airport right there in Tusayan near the South Rim entrance. That one serves air tours but has no scheduled passenger service.

THANK YOU! We would be taking American since our closest one mainly services American Eagle to Charlotte for a bigger plane. So I need to put those two in to see what it gives me for timeframe and price.

 

[nicolita3]

I would fly to Phoenix, then spend the night and possibly spend the next day seeing any sights in Phoenix. Another stop in the direction of the Grand Canyon would be Sedona. Williams is nice too with a stop at Bearizona. Book your hotel at the Grand Canyon early as I think they fill up fast.

 

[imktdqt810]

What @design_mom said. We flew into Las Vegas, much cheaper than Phoenix for us. Drove to Grand Canyon, stayed at one of the lodges in the park. Used the buses to get to different spots on the south rim. Sunrise and sunset are the best times.

We have been twice from Maryland. Once went to Sedona with our 22 and 24 year olds. We were all unimpressed but loved Grand Canyon.

Went again, just DH and I. Added Bryce and Zion, loved them. Also Cedar Breaks.

It is worth seeing.

Thanks for the information, DS will be 18 at the time of travel and someone else also mentioned going to Bryce and Zion! I will add Cedar Breaks into my list of places to research IF this seems like something he really wants to do. Grant you...it's 2 1/2 years away and ALOT can change but I would like to at least get an idea in my mind of prices, locations etc.

 

[OneOftheB's]

We went in September of 2019 and it was an amazing trip. We flew into Vegas, stayed 1 night, rented a car and drove to Hoover Dam then to the Skywalk (I don’t recommend). We stayed 2 nights in Tusayan and were at the Grand Canyon for 2 days. We hiked part of the Bright Angel Trail and took the bus to the various viewing points. I really wanted to stay in the park and do the mule ride but we planned the trip too late for either.

After the GC, we drove to Monument Valley, which was absolutely amazing. From Monument Valley we drove to Holbrook to see part of Route 66 and then spent the day at the Pertified Forest NP (this was the highlight in my and my kids opinion, just an amazing place). Then we went to the meteor impact crater, then on the Phoenix and flew home. I think we were in AZ for 6 days and I wish we either had more time or another trip planned.

 

[JayMass]

I loved the Grand Canyon. In 2018 my family (from Boston) flew into Las Vegas, rented an RV and hit a bunch of National Parks before arriving in Denver and flying home.

We went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon which is really cool because it's wooded and less desert. It was amazing to say the least. We were there on the morning of the 4th of July and watched the sunrise. Absolutely breathtaking.

With all that said, our favorite NP was Zion in Utah. If you're son wants to test his nerve he could do Angel's Landing which is like the scariest hike ever (look it up).

If he's a scout (my son quit two years into Boy Scouts--it just wasn't as much fun as Cub Scouts) then I am sure he'd love a camping trip to a few of these NPs.

Highlights of our trip:

Bryce Canyon
Great Sand Dunes
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Lake Mead
Glen Canyon Rafting Trip
Mesa Verde
Durango, CO

 

[JimMIA]

We flew in and out of Phoenix and used Wyndham timeshares in Sedona and Flagstaff for our bases. In addition to Grand Canyon, we visited the following:

• From Sedona
  • Montezuma's Castle
  • Oak Creek Canyon
  • Sedona and surrounding red rock country (Don't miss the Chapel of the Holy Cross)
• From Flagstaff
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Sunset Crater NM
  • Wupatki NM
  • Lower Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Nation Park
• Monument Valley Navajo Nation Park (Stayed at "The View" hotel, right on the rim!)
  • Drove to 4 Corners, and from there back to Grand Canyon
• Four Corners Navajo Nation Park
• Grand Canyon (South Rim) - 2 nights -- left 1 day early (stayed at Maswik Lodge at GC Village)
• And back to Sedona

 

[bcla]

I'm not sure what's going on right now, but normally most of the popular spots on the South Rim aren't open to personal motor vehicle traffic. They run a shuttle, which seems to be open now but with limited capacity.

Not sure exactly where to stay. We stayed years ago at some budget cabins that were apparently removed a few years ago. Nothing fancy, the location was well off the rim, but it was clean and cheap. I personally think that the Bright Angel Cabins have the best location on the South Rim - especially the Rim Cabins. But they're going to be rustic. If you're up to it, maybe try for a campground reservation? If you can't find or would prefer lodging outside of the park, Tusayan has quite a bit of lodging and it's just outside the park entrance.

You can drive to Desert View as well as other spots east of Grand Canyon Village. However, you can't really drive to the west. That's generally only serviced by their shuttle buses. I would expect that by 2023 there should be no problem with capacity as they have now.

 

[JimMIA]

For national parks, monuments, etc -- go to www.nps.gov. They have a search feature by state that will help your search.

Do NOT ignore National Monuments, historical sites, and other NPS sites just because they are not PARKS. Much of the time, that is just a difference in use permitted (hunting, logging, etc). It has nothing to do with the beauty of the place.

 

[momz]

If you fly into Phoenix, I recommend spending a couple days is Sedona to hike around there. It’s beautiful. Hike up Bell Rock for sure.

Then head on the Canyon from there. You will need to get a reservation to stay in the park well in advance, months in advance. We stayed at the bright angel lodge. Our room was just steps away from the rim. The next day, we rose early to start our decent to phantom ranch. You will need a Reservation for back country hiking as well. If you plan to backpack, you need to have your reservation for the campground and backcountry pass.

 

[JimMIA]

Generally, reservations for lodges INSIDE national parks open up one year and a day from arrival. And they go quickly.

Grand Canyon has a LOT of lodging, so it's not so terrible, but if you're planning on staying at the North Rim, Zion, Bryce or lots of other places, you really must book 366 days out. If you miss out, keep calling back especially at the cancellation deadline. A LOT of people book and then cancel at the last minute.