Grand Canyon

DH and I would like to book a trip. However, I've become overwhelmed with all of the different options. Any suggestions about where to stay, visit and get around? Should we rent a car? When should we go? Sorry I have so many questions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

TIA!

Re: Grand Canyon

i've been several times to both the north and south rims.

the north rim is great- only open may through oct, but much less crowded and hectic. you feel more in touch with nature over there. downside is of course the short season if you hadn't planned on going during one of those months, absolute remoteness of the area, and only one hotel option in the park. the lodge is gorgeous, but b/c it's only open part of the year it's quite primitive. no a/c (not that you'll need it most times), no tvs, and tiny rooms.

south rim is of course also nice, but i would not go during the summer months (june-aug). it's absolute mayhem there. too many people, not enough parking, and it really takes away from the fact that you're there to enjoy nature. i'd go in either april or oct. any of the hotels are nice, i've personally stayed in the maswik and the yavapai lodges. i'd recommend the maswik over yavapai simply b/c of the proximity to the rim. if you're looking for the 5 star experience and can afford (and get can get reservations) stay at the el tovar.

you'll definitely have to rent a car as there's virtually no other way to get there. from phoenix the south rim is about 5 hours. you can also fly into vegas and get to either the north or south rims in about 5 hours. however, once you get to the south rim there are shuttles available which will make life easier visiting the different vistas (not sure if you're required to take the shuttles).

the other added bonus to the south rim is that if you fly into phoenix you could also visit sedona and flagstaff and some other nice places on the way. of course if you go to the north rim you could also go to zion which is absolutely gorgeous.

grand canyon is my absolute favorite place to visit. in fact we just finalized plans for a rafting trip on the colorado the first week in may. so if you have other questions, or if you want to know about hiking etc feel free to fm me.

Re: Grand Canyon

Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate it.

Re: Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is just unbelievable. You will experience nothing else like it.

We drove from Phoenix to the south rim and it was in Sept. It took about 4 hrs (I drive really fast) and we stayed just overnight at a hotel right outside the park.

Make sure you take in the Grand Canyon movie at the IMAX across the street.

Next time we go we will go white water rafting on the Colorado river and take a helicopter ride down into the canyon.

We were with my senior citizen parents at the time and were limited. We stopped at Sedona and toured some of the art galleries and had lunch as well. That was beautiful as well.

You will have a great time.

Message edited 1/11/2007 9:37:51 AM.

Re: Grand Canyon

Thanks for your replies!

How many days do you think we should do there? Is there anything else around that we should see while there?

TIA!

Re: Grand Canyon

I think I read somwhere that the average time spent at the grand canyon is 11 minutes? or something like that - much shorter than you would think (people go, look around and leave...LOL). If you are into hiking, I believe there is a hotel of some sort half way down the canyon (on the south rim) - I'm sorry i don't know what it's called. You cannot go all the way down and back up in one day. Even the most experienced hikers get sick when they do this. You either have to bring camping gear with you or stay at the hotel half way down.

there are a few lodges within the park and camping sites as well. There is a small strip of hotels outside the park.

You could also stay in Flagstaff (If it's winter - you could also go skiing at Mt Humphrey's) Sedona is beautiful as well and you could easily drive to the GC from there - if you stay there. You definitely need to do the drive from flagstaff to sedona - it's breathtaking and a bit scary, but worth it.

I have heard rumors of casinos going up in the area, so I would imagine that there will be new resorts to stay at within 30 -60 minutes of the park.

Re: Grand Canyon

number of days defintely depends on how into hiking you are b/c there's not a whole lot else to do there. there are lots of nice trails on both rims for day hiking. as mentioned, rim to river and back up in one day is impossible. there is a "hotel" at the very bottom, but it's extremely difficult to get reservations there. i put it in quotes b/c it's more of a camp-like atmosphere, with dorms and cabins. it's called phantom ranch. if you're into camping there's also a campground near phantom ranch, but again a camping permit is hard to secure and you need to apply 4 months in advance.

other things to see- again as mentioned sedona is great. i think flagstaff has lots of things to see and do as well or if you're going to the north rim spend a few days at zion.

Message edited 1/11/2007 7:11:46 PM.