Grand Canyon tips please

big_show

Hey guys, going to the grand canyon in a months time, just looking for tips on the best parts of the canyon, also what town do you recommend to stay in? looking at flagstaff at the moment. thanks

Evo

argh, i had wrote a whole post and my computer frooze :mad:

to summarize what i said

1) Check out Williams Arizona.. nice small town, trains into the canyon, cowboy show at night..
2) Look into the Canyon Visitor Centre, they have buses/trams around the canyon that will bring you to good viewing points
3) If your willing to travel, goto Vegas and look at staying in the Plaza off Fremont Street.. thats the street with the largest TV screen in the world, well worth the look
4) From Vegas, you can do a helicopter ride into the Canyon which believe me is amazing, you land on the canyon floor and have a snack and you see so much, Papillion Helicopters is the company for it http://www.papillon.com/
Theres a guy in a shop in Fremont street that can book you on it and they'll provide shuttles to/from the airport. we stayed at the plaza and got the bus from the door there. Well worth every penny

Sin e, any questions shout and let me know how you get on..

dolphinius

big_show wrote: »

Hey guys, going to the grand canyon in a months time, just looking for tips on the best parts of the canyon, also what town do you recommend to stay in? looking at flagstaff at the moment. thanks

Please, please visit Monument Valley. If you stay in Falstaff, you can still drive there, spend a few hours and drive back in a day.
MV was the highlight of the USA trip I did a few years ago. Intend to go back some day.
Arizona is just so hot and humid. So hats, sun block factor 100, lots of water.
Air conditioner in your car is necessary. Bring a jumper too, for when the sun goes down.
There are helicopter trips and pony treks down into the canyon. There is the new(ish) glass walkway out over the canyon itself.
Check if available on North or South side before you decide on route. Not sure if pre-booking is necessary. Saw my first coyote and rattlesnake there.

Make sure cameras, phones etc are fully loaded with memory and batteries. Bring good sounds as it's quite a long straight drive.
Set off early, bring 2 picnics, spend the whole day.
Try and be there as the sun sets as the colour changes are spectacular.

Again, if you have time, spend the next day visiting Monument Valley.
Helluva trip. It'll stay with you forever.

big_show

Thanks guys for the response! this is exactly what i was looking for. will try and check out every thing both of you mentioned, thanks a million!

Ponster

When you get to the Canyon you have a choice of the North side or the South Side. The north will be less populated but is harder to get to if driving from Vegas or Arizona. if it's your first time there then the South will be fine.

You have the choice of 3 'trips' at the south side. 1 involves walking along the rim of the Canyon and the other 2 take you down into it. It really depends on your level of fitness if you go in or not. Out of the 2 I'd recommend the Bright Angel Trail as it has 2 or 3 sheltered areas and a couple of water stops. The South Kaibab Trail has neither water nor shelter and when it's 30°C on top of the Canyon it'll be closer to 38°C towards the bottom. Also don't try to go too far in one day. The park rangers will advise you to not try to hike to the river and back up in the same day. Should you really want to then you're looking at setting out 7am and getting back 12 hours later.


You can always get a mule trip down if that's you're thing

For the best photo, get to Hopi Point at sunset. You can get great maps of the park, the trails and sunset/sunrise times on the official GC National Park website.





The helicopter trip from Vegas is a great day out *but* you don't actually go to the Grand Canyon that you've probably seen in photos. It takes you to what's called West Canyon. and while it's impressive if it's your first time there, it's nothing like the *real* part at the south/north side.

Never been to flagstaff but I'll be driving through it on July 8th on my way to the GC

Trapattoni

Was there in Feb and flew inside it with Papillion on helicopter - was pretty cool - landed inside it and went on a short boat trip

I would recommend NOT going on sky bridge - waste of money really - better view from outside anywhere!!

dixiefly

Here are my comments in no particular order:

1. When I hiked down, I went South Kiabab part way. It gets out into the Canyon much quicker than Bright Angel, it's a bit steeper but is better to get a view and to get a feel that you are into the Canyon. Of course you will need to bring water etc.

2. I wouldnt stay in Flagstaff, nice place but you could either stay at the rim or at the little village on the outskirts of the park at the South rim. There is an i-max theatre which is there and worth a visit.

3. I have been to both north and outh rim and if I was to recommend one, I'd go to the South rim.

4. Nice steakhouse on the rim edge - Arizona steakhouse - think it's still there.

5. Agree with comments on Monument valley.

6. Sedona is very nice to visit if you are coming from Phoenix.

I would love to go back, most of my trips there were while on business, just 1 holiday taking in North Rim, Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon. Generally, summer months should be avoided at the Canyon.

preddy

Is Death Valley worth seeing?

I will be heading to Vegas for 5 nights on a 5 week trip to California and am planning to see Grand Cannyon while there, south Rim seems to be the spot to see but is it a day trip from Vegas or where should we stay?

Ponster

It's possible to get to the GC and back to Vegas in 1 day but you'll pretty much be turning up, taking a few photos, grabbing a sandwich before driving back again
It's much more rewarding if you can spend some time there. In fact maybe the helicopter ride would be better from Vegas if you don't have the time (~10 hour round-trip)

As dixifly said, if driving from Phoenix then head off the Interstate on to Prescott and take the scenic 89 road to Sedona before driving on to Flagstaff.


As for Death Valley... Well I for one think that there's only so much of desert you can see before it all starts to appear the same
I guess it depends on where else you're going to see in CA/NV.

daycent

Just wanted to second that Monument Valley suggestion. It's definitely worth visiting if you get the chance, it's like a reverse grand canyon! It'll be worth it for the pictures you get