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grand canyon trip? any tips?

S

Semidevil

Diamond Member
so in late april, the wife and I will be driving to grand canyon. It's the first time for both of us, so we are very excited. Anybody been there? any suggestions on what to do and where to stay? What were your experiences there? any tips and suggestions?

this will be a week long trip, so on the way, I'll probably drive through New Mexico also? anyone have any suggestions as to what to do there? we might stay there a day if it is fun, but the main goal would be the canyon.

we are trying to stick to a low budget, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I was out in Vegas and did a 'hummer tour' trip to the canyon (sorry I don't know which side). The ride was grueling (3 hours in the back of a hummer - not exactly comfortable) but the crazy guide made it all worthwhile. We went out to the middle of nowhere and his sole purpose in life was to pose you for photos so it looked like you were on the brink of death.

Of course, the irony was that one misstep and you were, in fact, dead. The scenery was amazing of course - but the guide's narration is what made it a fun trip.

I had just assumed there would be guard rails...

(Edit: Yes I realize these are two entirely different types of trips, just figured I'd throw in my "day trip" experience for the desk jockies out there)
 
For a week, I'd go to the Grand Canyon for two days or so, then swing into Utah and hit up Zion, Bryce, Arches...since those parks are very, very pretty, more so than the Grand Canyon.

I hope you like hiking, because that's really the best way of experiencing the canyon. You HAVE to walk down into it.


Oh, and note that cheaper digital cameras, like my A70, have trouble with the SUPER-bright colors around that area...you can have bright-colored rocks against a white sky, or a searing blue sky and dark rocks. So...get a good camera, or bring filters.
 
Should do it the Survivorman style. But advice, if you're going to eat groundsquirrels or rats, make sure you cook them very thorough. You can still get the plague from them i think.
 
Bring a Jacket and your Visa Card. It gets cold starting around 5pm, even in late April, and they dont take American Express.
 
-don't spit over the edge
-do bring a nice camera
-avoid the mcdonald's in the middle of nowhere; talk about highway robbery :Q
-do post some pics when you get back
-enjoy :thumbsup:
 
Go to the south rim. North rim might still be closed for winter. Monument valley area you could probably go to, but Canyonlands and Arches is a couple more hours north but supposed to be awesome. I'll be there in late May.
 
How much do you want to spend? There's a cheezball motel in Williams called Route 66 that's dirt cheap. It's sleazy but functional. I stayed there on my way to CO. In the morning take the train to the canyon. It's an old beautiful train, and you can relax and enjoy the scenery instead of driving.
 
Go rent a jackass for a day, it's agreat day trip to the bottom and back, be sure to bring warm clothing.
 
If you're not going to hike to the bottom, only one full day is needed for GC. There aren't many interesting short hikes, unlike the other national parks in the region, such as Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, etc.
 
try and stop in sedona on the way there. beautiful town with a a great artist quarter and great scenery. as far as the canyon goes, i would recommend taking two hikes: one on the rim trail which is more of a nature walk but lets you see a lot of the canyon and one into the canyon itself. pm me if you have any specifics, i have been a few times and can tell you about lodging, travel tim, etc.
 
We were there three days, but could have done it in two. Go to the South Rim, there's a lot more stuff there. Everyone says go down into the canyon, but if you're not much of a hiker, don't do it. It's probably too late to get a reservation to get a donkey and go with the tour groups, and the only other alternative is walking. If you do it you will need a whole lot of water and a whole lot of stamina. Remember going down is easy. It's when you're tired, and have to come back, that it's all uphill. When we were there, it was a nice 72 degrees on the rim. Temp in the canyon was 95.

We stayed in Tusayan, just outside the park itself, at a place called the Grand Hotel. It was overpriced because it is close to the park, but it was nice enough. We could have found cheaper places to stay but they were MUCH farther away and we didn't want to spend another two hours a day driving in and out.

Definitely go to Monument Valley as well. I have some dynamite photos from there.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge since it can be a very long distance between towns.
 
South Rim (AZ) is setup for tourists. Long days drive into NV via the Hoover Dam

North Rim (NV) is much nicer.

You can hike down or take a burro ride down to the floor.

By doing the North Rim; you are much closer to the Utah parks. (2-3 hours).


Best thing would be to get tourist guide books for NM, UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon.

Identify what you would like to do and figure out planning/logistics.
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
South Rim (AZ) is setup for tourists. Long days drive into NV via the Hoover Dam

North Rim (NV) is much nicer.

You can hike down or take a burro ride down to the floor.

By doing the North Rim; you are much closer to the Utah parks. (2-3 hours).


Best thing would be to get tourist guide books for NM, UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon.

Identify what you would like to do and figure out planning/logistics.
Click to expand...

I've only been to the north rim and my parents said it was much less touristy than when they were at the south rim. But is the north rim even open in late April? I know it closes for winter.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge since it can be a very long distance between towns.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is very important especially up in very NE Arizona and SE Utah area.
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
South Rim (AZ) is setup for tourists. Long days drive into NV via the Hoover Dam

North Rim (NV) is much nicer.

You can hike down or take a burro ride down to the floor.

By doing the North Rim; you are much closer to the Utah parks. (2-3 hours).


Best thing would be to get tourist guide books for NM, UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon.

Identify what you would like to do and figure out planning/logistics.
Click to expand...
I've only been to NR and it was really nice from what I remember. Not terribly crowded even in the middle of summer. That's a big selling point for me. Bryce and Zion are awesome as well. Its a perfect opportunity to visit all 3.
 
I've only been to the north rim and my parents said it was much less touristy than when they were at the south rim. But is the north rim even open in late April? I know it closes for winter.
Click to expand...

North rim officially opens in mid-May each year. There's a good chance the road will be open prior to that but keep in mind elevation is 7-9k high so late season snow storms are not uncommon. Furthermore, the lodge and other related services are not open until mid-May so there's no where to stay or eat nearby if you decide to venture there earlier. I wouldn't chance it if I'm planning a trip in late April. Stick with the south.


 
Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Originally posted by: conjur
Do cartwheels on this
Click to expand...

I saw this back in Nov 2005 when I was visiting sunny Goodyear AZ. That looks beautiful! I havent been to the Grand Canyon since 1999. 🙁
Click to expand...

pics???


I'd love to see real pics of that. Is it even open yet?
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
South Rim (AZ) is setup for tourists. Long days drive into NV via the Hoover Dam

North Rim (NV) is much nicer.

You can hike down or take a burro ride down to the floor.

By doing the North Rim; you are much closer to the Utah parks. (2-3 hours).


Best thing would be to get tourist guide books for NM, UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon.

Identify what you would like to do and figure out planning/logistics.
Click to expand...



Have to concur on this one. South rim is tour bus city. Went to the North Rim last year in mid July and and was just me and my wife and about sixty French tourists in the park that week.




 
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