Summer Vacation to Grand Canyon...Help!!

[Trixiezzz]

We stayed one night in the Thunderbird Lodge - which is right on the rim, too, but was more affordable than El Tovar. Our window looked out over the canyon and it was awesome-- especially early the next morning. You could see Calif. condors flying all around and it was something my kids will never forget.

It's also nice to get up and already be right there, instead of having to drive in with all the crowds in the morning. I think we paid about $175 for 1 night in 2006.
Link to State Park hotels: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging-overview-411.html

 

[mafibisha]

Our airfare out of Houston for 5 was ~$1400, I night at El Tovar in the Grand Canyon National Park is ~$450. 5 nights at Sky Ranch Lodge is ~$940 (Rim View Double Queen with roll-away) 1 weeks entry into GCNP is $25/car.

Wow, really! Was it a double suite or something? We were just there the summer of '08 and paid $175 for a king room with a balcony, shared with another room but still so cool sitting out and gazing at the canyon.

 

[Staceyms]

Wow, really! Was it a double suite or something? We were just there the summer of '08 and paid $175 for a king room with a balcony, shared with another room but still so cool sitting out and gazing at the canyon.

Yes, it's large suite overlooking the canyon. I couldn't get two rooms near each other with such late notice and we need room for 5.

 

[eduk8r26]

We were just at the Grand Canyon last week. It was pretty crowded due to spring breaks being staggered for everyone. I've only been there once in the summertime about 6 or 7 years ago and only for one day. But if it's anything like Yosemite in the summer, I would expect it to be very crowded.

 

[lindsey]

If you really want to see GC without commercialism (sp?), and if you
decide to wait until next year, try going to the North Rim instead.

We flew into Las Vegas, spent one night at one of the off-the strip hotels, drove to Flagstaff - spent three days, then drove to North Rim, spent two days, then drove to Las Vegas and spent two days.

 

[HelloChum]

I was able to make some ressies for this summer afterall!

Started with finding 2 nights within GC NP and worked backwards from there...

Here's the plan so far--

Fly into Vegas and stay 1 or 2 nights (need to decide)

Zion Lodge (in NP) 1 night

Bryce Canyon (2 nights just outside NP--all hotels heavily booked--this was my toughest reservation to make) Hope to get ressies for 1/2 day Canyon horseback ride here too...reviews were great for canyon ride...would love tix for full moon hike, but only 60 FCFS

Lake Powell Resort 2 nights...have ressies for Rainbow Bridge Cruise/hike...

Grand Canyon South Rim 2 nights at Yavapai Lodge--wanted El Tovar--just happy to be in park at this point!!

Sedona 2 nights Sky Ranch Lodge...views look amazing...on way here/while here plan to check out Wupatki/Sunset Crater/Walnut Canyon/Petrified Forest/Painted Desert/Montezuma Castle/Tuzigoot and Slide Rock State Park...okay maybe that is too ambitious

Route 66 -> Stay 1 night in Kingman @ Hampton Inn (couldn't resist checking out Rt. 66 after seeing Cars...any thoughts??)

Hoover Dam on way to Vegas -> stay one night at Vegas airport hotel

Fly home!


We had toyed with heading out to the 4 Corners--just to say we were there--but, realistically there is no easy east-west route, so we're skipping it!

Thanks for all your previous replies!! Any suggestions for must sees to add to the above??

Hello Chum

 

[kacaju]

Can i come??? That sounds wonderful, you will love it!!
If you are staying at Lake Powell for 2 nights you HAVE to see Antelope canyon.

Sedona 2 nights Sky Ranch Lodge...views look amazing...on way here/while here plan to check out Wupatki/Sunset Crater/Walnut Canyon/Petrified Forest/Painted Desert/Montezuma Castle/Tuzigoot and Slide Rock State Park...okay maybe that is too ambitious
Yeah...that might be too much in two days. I did Petrified forest/painted desert and Walnut canyon in one day with my friend (no kids) and that took a lot of time. Both places are so neat.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

I'm so excited for you! And congrats on getting the reservations! you are going to LOVE your trip!

 

[DawnM]

We are considering a trip in the fall, driving from NC! My parents live in Phoenix and Dad is having surgery so we would go out for a week or so to deal with that and then do the Grand Canyon and drive over to LA (where we are from) to see friends and Disneyland and then maybe drive up to San Fran and drive back the Northern route.

It will take over a month most likely so we need to think carefully about it, but I am considering it.

Dawn

 

[slamzim]

We had toyed with heading out to the 4 Corners--just to say we were there--but, realistically there is no easy east-west route, so we're skipping it!

Thanks for all your previous replies!! Any suggestions for must sees to add to the above??

Hello Chum

We are heading to the Grand Canyon the end of May, so enjoying this thread. We are looking at going to the 4 Corners - picture opp. We are staying in Flagstaff a few days and thinking of heading to the 4 Corners after the painted desert or petrified forest. Any suggestions on how much time it would take?

TIA

 

[mafibisha]

We are heading to the Grand Canyon the end of May, so enjoying this thread. We are looking at going to the 4 Corners - picture opp. We are staying in Flagstaff a few days and thinking of heading to the 4 Corners after the painted desert or petrified forest. Any suggestions on how much time it would take?

TIA

Whats in Flagstaff? I'm always intrigued when I hear people say that. We didn't find much to do there so stayed there only one night on the way to see all the other wonderful parts of the west.

 

[HelloChum]

Just booked suite for 2 nights at THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay in Vegas!! --only about $10 more than room in tower, but roomier. Hotel looks awesome--my kids are excited! Thanks for the recommendation! Can't believe this all fell into place!! Booked airfare out to Vegas already too--of course, return trip has increased in price since I first looked--ugh!

In reply to "thinking of heading to the 4 Corners after the painted desert or petrified forest. Any suggestions on how much time it would take?"--from Lake Powell, it would have taken us almost 4 hours. It looks like the Petrified Forest NP has a more direct N/S route to the 4 corners, but I bet it will still take you 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I did read that it is closed until June 2010 due to renovations--you may want to verify when it reopens.

Question: still need to reserve rental car--any suggestions? what type of vehicle would be best for this trip--any tips on rental car bargains? Haven't done a rental in years (gotta love those Disney trips and Disney transportation!!)

Can i come??? That sounds wonderful, you will love it!!
If you are staying at Lake Powell for 2 nights you HAVE to see Antelope canyon.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks again and to all PP with upcoming trips, have a great time!!

HelloChum

 

[kacaju]

your kids are big, you'd really want a van so you can all stretch out!!
When we did the Vegas, GC, Antelope, Bryce and Zion loop we put about 1,000 miles on the rental that week. Everything is so spread out, BUT it is so beautiful!!

 

[slamzim]

Whats in Flagstaff? I'm always intrigued when I hear people say that. We didn't find much to do there so stayed there only one night on the way to see all the other wonderful parts of the west.

I'm not sure there is much in Flagstaff...just a good central location to travel to the other sites, but not have to change motels every night.

Also, thanks OP for the heads up about 4 corners. Will definitely check it out b/f we go.

 

[HelloChum]

you HAVE to see Antelope canyon.

Looked at info on Antelope Canyon online--I see what you mean!! Antelope Canyon is on our MUST SEE list!! Incredible!

Curious--did you book a tour or just show and take a tour on the spot?
Thanks again!

Also, I think I got a good deal on minivan rental--holy cow the prices--got it for about $300/week with all taxes/fees...$624 total...some quotes were $800-1100--yikes! How have others fared?

Have a great day!

 

[Irin997]

If you still plan to go in August I would suggest booking a hotel near the CG that can be cancelled without penalty ( and that you would not be disappointed with)....and then calling to check on El Tovar weekly. We went the 2nd week in August...and I booked a cabin at Bright Angel Lodge 8 days before we left! I had a couple of choices too...one of those being El Tovar...so cancellations do happen and I was told by the reservations agent to call 2 weeks out...and then call every day thereafter as openings do occur.

Caribear, I noticed you are going on the Oasis - when are you sailing? Looks like we could be on the same cruise.

 

[slamzim]

Any suggestions for a night in Sedona? We are staying at the Sky Ranch Lodge at the beginning, but it is booked for the end of trip. TIA

 

[rillsung]

We are heading to the Grand Canyon the end of May, so enjoying this thread. We are looking at going to the 4 Corners - picture opp. We are staying in Flagstaff a few days and thinking of heading to the 4 Corners after the painted desert or petrified forest. Any suggestions on how much time it would take?

TIA

4 Corners is so out of the way that driving there takes most of the time. Not sure on driving times from painted desert or Petrified Forest though without using an online map. Also you might check since I saw on the news the other day that it's under construction so you might not be able to walk out to where the 4 corners are marked. The native americans run the area and charge what I remember to be a higher than expected fee for us to enter and then there is shopping where you can buy native american art and jewelery.

We Just got back from the GC 4 days ago! Road trip for us though lol. We Stayed at the brand new Courtyard by Mariott in Flagstaff (yay name your own price on Priceline!) and took the train from Williams up to the GC. Train ride was neat, but too long and mostly boring really.

 

[Vivianne]

Couldn't resist it I had to put my 2cents on this one.

We did the Vegas-HooverDam-Sedona - Flagstaff -Route 66 - GrandCanyon-CameronTradingPost-BryceCanyon-Zion back to Vegas 1300 mile driving trip back in 2004 and loved it. We did do it in spring (weather wise great) since I researched fodors message forum and after spending days lurking on the forum I got the best tips from that website.

We did as much as we could and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend staying onsite at GrandCanyon/Bryce/Zion if you can manage it. It takes alot of research and planning but...it turns out to be a wonderful trip. It may be the once in a lifetime so take a good camera

BTW We stayed at the Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona (beautiful) ate at the airport (at the end of the road) lots of locals eat there.
Flagstaff has an observatory & plan on alot of stops during your driving on this trip. You won't regret it.

 

[WiscMomof2]

Don't mean to hijack but I just want to say thanks for the great info! We just decided to go see my SIL in AZ in July and are going to do GC and Sedona for a few days. I'm not used to planning this spur of the moment so I'm trying to learn all I can. The Sky Ranch looks cool and is available for our dates - definitely going to book that. As far as GC NOTHING is available in the park, which I'm not surprised. Does anybody know anything about the Holiday Inn Express right outside the South Rim area? It seems to get decent reviews and more importantly is available for the date we need.