Grand Canyon vacation...
- Thread starter Hugh Manatee
- Start date
All of the advice given here is terrific. You can't go wrong with any of the mentioned parks/stops. They are all spectacular in their own way. If you are heading to/from the Utah parks and the Az locales (Flagstaff, GC) you'll pass through Page. Worth a 1/2 day there to tour the lower Antelope slot canyon, see the horseshoe bend and the Glen Canyon dam.
Agree with others that if you are sticking to Utah and Az fly into LV or PHX and not LA.
Agree with others that if you are sticking to Utah and Az fly into LV or PHX and not LA.
my canyon story, fwiw....I drove in from the west and it was dark by the time I got to the canyon. I was young then and the GC was one of my most wanted places to visit. As I drove in, there were places to stop for a scenic overlook. I had to stop. I did, I came to a short trail, maybe 50 yards, to a deck. It was absolutely dead black except for the stars (no moon that night). I was struck by the absolute lack of anything in front of me. it was like standing at the edge of the abyss. What I sensed was shocking. The next morning, at sunrise, I saw the canyon for the first time. No words can describe the size and color. One of my all time best experiences.
On a side note, I came across an old Indian Chief who was sitting on a blanket and had a sign saying he had the best memory in the world. I dropped a dollar in the bucket and to be a smart ass, asked him what he had for breakfast on June 19th, 1984. He smiled at me and said "eggs." Years pass, I decide to take my aging parents and some family members to the canyon. It was anther great experience. As luck would have it, I happened across that same Indian Chief who looked no worse for the wear despite the at-least ten years passing. I looked at him, greeted him as I thought and Indian would by putting up my hand and saying "How". He looked at me, laughed, and said "Over easy with buttered wheat toast". (Its an old joke).
Finally, I thought this might be cool....There are a handful of places where you can sleep in a wigwam/teepee there.
On a side note, I came across an old Indian Chief who was sitting on a blanket and had a sign saying he had the best memory in the world. I dropped a dollar in the bucket and to be a smart ass, asked him what he had for breakfast on June 19th, 1984. He smiled at me and said "eggs." Years pass, I decide to take my aging parents and some family members to the canyon. It was anther great experience. As luck would have it, I happened across that same Indian Chief who looked no worse for the wear despite the at-least ten years passing. I looked at him, greeted him as I thought and Indian would by putting up my hand and saying "How". He looked at me, laughed, and said "Over easy with buttered wheat toast". (Its an old joke).
Finally, I thought this might be cool....There are a handful of places where you can sleep in a wigwam/teepee there.
Yea but if he's going in the summer months that is definitely not the time to hike to the bottom. Will be well over 100-degrees down there. We hiked to the river and back up in early April. It was 35 when we started (around 7am) and 80 at the bottom (around 11am)! But I do agree, the bottom is spectacular and most people never see it.
Asked for help on this one and you really got it. There are so, so many beautiful and awesome places to visit. I found the Grand Canyon one of those, as did my family. Flew over it from Vegas with the wife in a small plane (long ago), landed at the Hualapai Indian reservation for lunch; based on that, decided we had to go back with the kids.
Again long ago, but at the time we went Vegas was a great launch point...good air fares, room rates during the week were much better than weekend; a weekly, unlimited miles car rental was dirt cheap. We stayed at the GC Village but felt not staying at El Tovar or one of the others was a mistake. Did a raft trip down the Colorado starting from Glen Canyon dam.
A lot of great advice on itineraries depending on how much time you have. Given the sheer magnificence and geologic wonder that it is, it would seem a mistake to me to go through life never having seen the Grand Canyon.
Again long ago, but at the time we went Vegas was a great launch point...good air fares, room rates during the week were much better than weekend; a weekly, unlimited miles car rental was dirt cheap. We stayed at the GC Village but felt not staying at El Tovar or one of the others was a mistake. Did a raft trip down the Colorado starting from Glen Canyon dam.
A lot of great advice on itineraries depending on how much time you have. Given the sheer magnificence and geologic wonder that it is, it would seem a mistake to me to go through life never having seen the Grand Canyon.
Good post...my only comment is that El Tovar and the other govt run/canyon rim locations are often booked up a year in advance. They are not easy to get into.
Totally agree with the Cameron/Navajo taco suggestion. It really is a must do if you are in the area. The trading post is right on the road from Page to the south rim area of the GC.
Our family did just that 3 years ago. Wonderful trip. Flew into LV. Stayed 3 nights at Delano (connected to Mandalay Bay so you get to use all facilities but you have cheap suites plus additional things they don't have). Rented a car and did the Hoover Dam one day and Lake Mead. Did the West side of Grand Canyon another day trip. And explored Vegas the other. Then we went to Grand Canyon Caverns (largest dry cave system in US) and stayed at an Indian Reservation Motel (great experience). Then went to Grand Canyon National Park for entire day. Then Sedona for another entire day/night. We flew out of Phoenix after a couple more days as we visited family. Amazing trip. Wonderful country. Plenty to do. Not bad on your wallet either. Have fun and let us know what you ended up doing.
At Grand Canyon DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at either Yavapai Lodges. You will be very sorry.
WE spent 10 days this past June.
Sedona (take jeep tour)
Grand Canyon (2 days at least)
Monument Valley
Lake Powell
Antelope (Slot) Canyon
Bruce Canyon
Zion Canyon
Hoover Dam (Take both tours)
Las Vegas
If you go to Sedona, take a sidetrip for a couple of hours to Jerome, AZ. Cool little town on the side of a mountain with spectacular views. Walk around town for an hour or so and grab a bite to eat. Definitely worth the side trip.
Last year we did Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Death Valley. Great diversity in all these parks, loved them all. Mammoth Lakes is a very cool area too, although on the eastern side of the Sierras and will be hard to reach if Tioga Pass is still closed. Since we had Sequoia on the agenda, wasn't disappointed with Mariposa Grove being closed in Yosemite. Supposed to open sometime in 2018. Death Valley in August was wild, like being on Mars with the temps reaching 123.
I've done western US National Parks tours in 2013 and 2016. If you want to start in Vegas, I recommend going to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and back to Vegas. About 20 hours of driving time, but well worth it. If you've been to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you might want to try the North Rim this time. Very nice and very different. If you have to choose between Zion and Bryce, see Bryce. More open , less crowded, unique landscape, and you can drive instead of riding a crowded trolley. Lots to choose from out there leaving from Denver or SLC also. We went north from Denver on our first trip and south on our second. Great trips!
One of my most favorite places ever visited. Nothing fancy here. Just natural wonders, fresh air, and peace. So humbled, so awed by the majesty and age of the Giants. Too bad they closed the overnight facilities at Giant Forest Village.
Take the flyover in a helicopter; it was magnificent. I have been there about five times, maybe more. Rode the burrows down and back. Hiked many trails. Still on the list is a raft ride. Every couple years though I go to Death Valley, truly magnificent. If you go come in the south entrance from the Mojave desert. Spectacular changes in scenery and leave on the west side, from stovepipe springs over the mountain and back down into the desert. My favorite National Park I could get lost there for two months.
I was stationed in LV for 3 years. When I went to the canyon, I stayed at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the N rim, in one of the cabins you can rent. Loved it, and had a great experience. It's already been mentioned, but Valley of Fire is a must. it's only about an hour N of Vegas on the 15. Was a groomsman in a buddys wedding there. Also, Red Rock Canyon is a nice little spot. it's up maybe 10 minutes past the Red Rock Casino on Charleston. quick little 2 hour thing to do in Vegas if you're looking for something to do there. I also have been through death valley with a group of sport bike riders that I used to hang out with. Long ride on a sport bike , but the place is beautiful! While you're there, leave the wife and kids in Vegas and swing over the mountains to Pahrump and have a GOOD time.... 
A
anon_1eeb2b426hv3y
Guest
This happens often but I’m one of the few who says the opposite between Bryce and Zion. Bryce is certainly more unique, but once you’ve seen it and the novelty of the view wears off (this doesn’t seem to happen for many), I find there’s less adventure than Zion, which rivals Yosemite as my fave. Hiking the virgin river is super cool and angels landing is amazing—and terrifying. Zion mountain resort is a great place to stay— get a cabin with a view facing the bison herd and you’ll be in awe when you wake in the am. Mountain biking in Sedona is second in my mind only to Moab. So if your teens are into it. My wife and I stayed at the enchantment resort and it worked out well between highline for me and the spa stuff for her. I could go on but you’ve already got some great stuff from the others. Hiking rim to river in Grand Canyon and sleeping over at phantom ranch is cool too, except for the sleeping part. ;-)
Enjoy
Another great loop trip -- fly to Grand Junction, Colo. You hit Colorado National Monument, Arches and Canyonlands in Utah, head down to Monument Valley and Four Corners, and up to Mesa Verde and Durango in Colorado. Then head north on the Million Dollar Highway (Silverton to Ourey), stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and finally wind up again in Grand Junction. There are some newer national monuments along the route (Bears Ears, or what's left of it, and Canyons of the Ancients). If you want to shorten the trip, skip Monument Valley and save it for another time.
Good post.
I really liked Grand Junction and Fruita when I was there. Its on my list of possible places to retire too after Tucson and Santa Fe.
Another nice thing with Grand Junction is that its a short trip to Moab and Arches.
I haven't done Mesa Verde yet but soon.
Durango is another really nice town.
Enjoy[/QUOTE]
I have done this trip...twice. Do the train ride from Durango to the Silverton...awesome..
I have done this trip...twice. Do the train ride from Durango to the Silverton...awesome..
I have done this trip...twice. Do the train ride from Durango to the Silverton...awesome..[/QUOTE]
Agree the trip is great, fall is best. Also just do one way. Its a long slow ride. LOL.
For sure!! There are some wonderful suggestions on here. The OP cannot go wrong on any of them. It's like choosing your favorite painting, all in the eye of the beholder.
