Grand Canyon for Vacation

[MisterB]

Flying into Phoenix after Easter for a week of vacation ..... wife and kids want to see Grand Canyon so I am seeking advice on where to stay, places of interest to see and how many hours to get to Grand Canyon.....any advice is appreciated.

TIA

Ed

[lally911]

Its three hours north to Flagstaff then another 90 miles to the Canyon. Best thing is to stay at the El Tovar right on the south rim but its usually booked well in advance. There are a couple other chain hotels at the rim as well - google for grand canyon village for those. Plenty of places in Flagstaff. Amazing place. Hike down in a bit to really get the scale of it.

[jriera]

Go to Williams (a bit West of Flagstaff) and take the train --> http://www.thetrain.com/

Enjoy

[trekkor]

Yep to the train.

We stayed in Williams at some cheapo motel next to Denny's.
Super8 or some such.

If you haven't been to the GC before, you'll be racking your brain at first, trying to comprehend that anything can be this big.


I want to go back badly.


KT

[RoninLB]

I've been to both S & N sides.

N side is lower key but less Disneyland congestion than S side imo. Best Hotel w/lunch, dinner and bar on N side.

The S side mule trip to the bottom will keep everyone occupied all day.

[trekkor]

I am scared my mule would get spooked and take me over the edge


KT

[cool_chick]

Originally Posted by lally911

Its three hours north to Flagstaff then another 90 miles to the Canyon.

The drive is absolutely spectatular too. I'm jealous, Mister.

[89911]

Since we where only going to do this maybe once or twice in a lifetime, we decided to do it up and stay at the "El Tovar" for three days. I would suggest a minimum of two day at least. One to drive the rim and see the Canyon from all the view points. The "castle" at the bottom end is really amazing. The other day you can spend walking the trails along side it. True , you can do the "family vacation" approach and look at it for a few seconds then drive off.
(The El Tovar is where Clark Griswald robbed the clerk when he wouldn't take his check)


Bright Angel Trail. Interesting when its icy and snow covered. Immediately to the left is about a 3000ft drop.


Bring you digital camera and some storage. The Canyon can turn almost anyone into an artist.

We went in January. It was cold, but mild compared to Pittsburgh. The days went in the mid 40's and the sun was very warm. The best thing was the lack of crowds. At many of the vantage points, we where the only ones there. The silence was amazing. I guess it gets very crowded and hot in the summer. Amazing trip.

[austin552]

Dont take a tour, Go durring Spring or Summer.

[KNS]

I lived at the south rim for a year and a half ( there is an entire community up there that most people are unaware of ) and all the comments are good. The train from Williams is great and so is the El Tovar hotel. The best way to see the canyon though is to hike down into it. Even a short hike down to Indian Gardens is incredible.

[CarreraDan]

Originally Posted by KNS

I lived at the south rim for a year and a half ( there is an entire community up there that most people are unaware of ) and all the comments are good. The train from Williams is great and so is the El Tovar hotel. The best way to see the canyon though is to hike down into it. Even a short hike down to Indian Gardens is incredible.

Kurt, My older brother is with the Park Service and lives about 1/4 mile from the edge of the canyon. I am hoping to get out to see him in the near future as I have never been to the canyon. He said the helecopter tour is good too, just not as good as the government version who can fly down into the "ditch" but neverless he said it was fun. I would really like to take my kayak.

[rattlsnak]

+1 on the Train,. we took the package that included the hotel in williams, and the canyon, with all meals. I had been to the canyon several times, but this trip was way cool.

and stop in Flagstaff at Frisco peak, but more importantly, you MUST drive down through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. Its MUCH better going south, (downhill, better views) than north.

from Flagg, take ALT 89 South to Sedona, (of course take a few hours to shop/take Jeep tour etc) then continue ALT 89 South through Cottonwood and Jerome to 89 South to Prescott, then 69 back to I-17..

That route is almost better than seeing the canyon.!

[KNS]

CarreraDan,

I was pilot with Papillon Helicopters a while back. Your brother is right, you can't fly down into the canyon on the regular park tours but you can fly down into the Supai reservation over on the west side of the canyon. You are not going down as "deep" but the flight is spectacular and well worth it if you want to see Supai falls. Check with Papillon, they are the ones who do the flights down to Supai.

I've always thought the best way to see the canyon is to get down into it, either by foot or boat. The second best way is a flight over, even the 30 minute tour.

[charleskieffner]

wayyyy better than the "hole in the ground".................fred flintstone land in valle,arizona. where n-bound hwy from flag and williams intersect. you CANNOT MISS THIS!!!!!!

as a native i have hiked rim to river,rim to rim, rim to rim to rim(twice), havasupai(twice), bright angel,hermit, and down into marble canyon at lees ferry, and paria canyon.

well worth the aching muscles and blisters.

north rim closed now due to snow.

[kqw]

Originally Posted by austin552

Dont take a tour, Go durring Spring or Summer.

+1... IIRC, the South rim is closed during winter, isn't it?

[charleskieffner]

south rim open year round barring cataclyzmic snow events. after leaving williams northbound look for antelope off into the distance east or west of road. once near south rim watch for elk and mule deer.

[MisterB]

thanks for the input, what will the weather temperature be like at the end of March in Flagstaff?

[RWebb]

Flagstaf is high elv., hence cold.

[MisterB]

on my way to Grand canyon.... arrived at Flagstaff yesterday... awesome drive thru Oak Grove Canyon...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by CarreraDan

...He said the helecopter tour is good too, just not as good as the government version who can fly down into the "ditch" but neverless he said it was fun...

I'd love to hike down into the GC! I was fortunate to have been able to take the helicopter tour down into the canyon many years ago when they were still allowed to fly below the rim. It's been 30 years, but the memories are still vivid !