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old_guy's avatar
old_guy
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014

Grand Canyon

DW and I were talking last night about the grand canyon and I told her it was just north of Kingman AZ. it that right? we will be coming back to Oregon from Yuma through Lake Havasu city and if we go to Kingman can we get to the south rim or should we go to the north rim? some day before I die I want to go see the meteorite crater.

16 Replies

  • I believe your think about the Grandcanyon West, it's on the Hualapai Indian reservation land, which is north of Kingman. If you really want to go there be prepared to pay some bucks, see the above website.

    If you have the time drive to the south rim national park, I believe it to be a better choice.

  • paulj wrote:
    I believe the Sky Bridge operated by the Halapai Reservation is the closest Grand Canyon view to Las Vegas. Maybe you want to catch a tour rather than drive yourself.

    http://www.grandcanyonwest.com/skywalktour.php


    I think it is highway 93 that goes just about straight north from Kingman towards Las Vegas, and the new overlook is along that highway. However the skywalk is several (dozen) miles west of the "Grand Canyon" and is not part of the National Park.

    In the winter, Kingman is near sea level (well about 300 - 400' elevation) and Williams is closer to 5,500 or 6,000 feet elevation and likely to have snow on the ground. The south rim is likely to have snow on the ground at this time of year too - even ice on the roads is possible. The north rim is likely to have 3-4 feet of snow on everything, with all the roads closed.

    So if you like snow, then winter is the time to visit the south rim. You can still see snow in May at the north rim, depending on the snow pack that winter. It is 7,500' elevation.

    You can check the sky bridge. It is possible that it is not nearly as cold as the Grand Canyon, and might be a much lower elevation. From what I hear, the Indians wanted to keep the last 10 miles of the road to the skywalk primitive, so that most people would take a tour operated 4 wheel drive vehicle in and out of the reservation.

    Fred.
  • From Havasu City, if you're that close to the Grand Canyon definitely take the time to go there. The South Rim is where you want to head in the Spring. The North Rim is much higher elevation and doesn't open until later. Don't bother with the Sky Walk on the reservation - it's not even at the main part of the canyon and it's very expensive. Go to the national park itself and stay at Trailer Village near the canyon rim for the best experience. Park and pick up the free shuttles just outside the campground entrance and you can ride all day long and get off to explore whenever you want. From Havasu City head to Williams and turn north - easy to get to and well worth a visit!
  • What @Executive said. It is 175 miles from Kingman to the NP at the south rim, but only 70 miles to the glass bridge, on the Hualapai reservation.
  • The South Rim is just north of the City of Williams Arizona. Meteor Crater is east of Flagstaff..both off I-40..The north rim is closed for the winter.

    IMHO, if you are going to Meteor Crater:

    1. Stay in Holbrook AZ...KOA is a good park located in the middle.
    2. Visit Winslow AZ of Eagles fame. Stand on the corner..
    3. Visit Petrified Forest. Start at the south entrance and exit the north through the Painted Desert.
    4. While in Holbrook visit the Wigwam Motel. The motel in CARS was patterened after that motel.
    5. Visit Meteor Crater. There is a CG there but the visit to the crater is only a two hour tour, tops...they no longer allow journeys to the bottom.

    For the South Rim:

    1. Taking the train from Williams is a waste of money.
    2. Stay inside the park at Trailer Village. FHU and you can take any of the five trollies anywhere along the south rim village for free.
    3. See the sunrises and sunsets from different areas of the park. They are different.
    4. Get a "geezer" card if you qualify to avoid the entrance fee.

    Enjoy the trip but watch the weather..they do get snow and sometimes very heavy rains........Dennis