Grand canyon lenth of stay?

Wow thanks time to make reservations. I think 4 days. What if I book 5 and leave early do they refund?

There is at least one, maybe 2 or 3 gas stations just south of Hwy 64 on Hwy 89 in Cameron. Gas Buddy shows regular yesterday at $3.59.

Just got back from there last week. Spent 3 days at Trailer Village. 3 whole days is the minimum if you aren't hikers. Add in 2 days for any trip down to Phantom Ranch (be in GOOD shape or take a mule, reservations need to be made months in advance). Bring a refillable water container for each person, plenty of free refillable water sources around, and bottled water is not sold anywhere in GCNP. It's an anti-plastic, anti-litter thing. Gas up at Williams or Flagstaff or Tuba City, the ONE gas station in the park is way out east at Desert View near that campground, and it was $4.16 last week.

I did the mule ride as a child, MANY MANY years ago. I will say this outloud, riding a mule is NOT EASIER THAN WALKING. If you are not an experienced rider, equine of some sort..it will hurt you later, even if you're physically fit. Riding a pack animal is jarring and awakens muscles and tendons you didn't know you had. Just something to think about.
They do go slow. It is beautiful. But it is an animal. It is rocky and dusty. It is descent one way and accent the other. It is all day, unless you camp.

I would do at least four days at south rim. Trailer village is not fancy but it is right on the shuttle route. Groceries are a short walk away. Sunrise and sunset are awesome. If time and budget allow take one of the flights over the canyon. They are not cheap but you get a great view. We took one of the single engine cessna's. The north rim is higher and gives a different perspective. See both if you can.

For the beauty to be truly seen you want at least 3 days at Trailer Village and get out at sunrise and sunset when the colors and shadows are at the peak. Gets pretty washed out most of midday.

If hiking you will want another couple of days.

As mentioned, the hikes are great going down but get steep coming up - and you are tired. Bright Angel gets quite steep the last 1/2 mile below the rim.

And once you decide I would make reservations at Trailer Village asap; it fills. And, if you cancel in time you get your money back 100%.

Several years ago we rode the mules down to Phantom Ranch and stayed the night. It was a fun trip with lots of great views. If you think you are interested, make reservations now.

One day was plenty for us. We're lookers, not hikers any more. If we were physically able to hike into the canyon it would be different.

TenOC wrote:

Queens Carriage wrote:
So how many days should we book to see most of that area on the south rim?

You can see it all in 4 hours, or you can spend 4 years to see it ALL. The first time I spent 1/2 a day.

The last time I spent a week dry camped at the NP campground. Then a week on the North Rim.

I'm with that. Half a day, I've seen what there is to see, as a been there done that tourist, from all of the major vantage points on the south rim. But as a geologist, I would need months to take in what the rocks are telling me, and years to appreciate the flora and fauna, because I am not trained for interpretation.

If you approach it as a physical sport sort of adventure, you might be looking at a week of hiking, descending, climbing. And you could still not see everything there is to see, if you are not trained to see it. If you are, years to take in the detail, or at least multiple visits through the changing seasons. How much depth do you want?

hawkman541 wrote:
You didn't say if you were hikers or viewers. If you're hiking, I would say no less than 5 days. You have the east end to hike, the middle, and the west end. The buses will take you to the start of each area. All of them are different, so you will have to see them all. Then you can hike down to different levels depending on you physical stamia and health level. We went down to the 5 mile level one day, but went longer 5 days later when we had built up more stamia.

If you're a viewer, then you could probably do it in 4 days. You could drive to each area, or bus, your choice, depending on kids or pets. Pets CANNOT get on the bus. But you have Jeep tours, or helicopter tours, horse tours. You name it. Good luck. We stayed 8 days.

Agree with all of above and x2 about good health,stamina if you decide to hike down the canyon. We have hiked down a few trails but enjoy Bright Angel the most. The problem we have seen over the years is that people don't necessarily have a problem heading down the trails but then they turn around to start the hike back up the canyon and it becomes a very different experience. You need good legs,good knees,good lungs and good hiking boots and plenty of water.
Re: Hoover Dam......you will wowed by the experience and more so now because the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman memorial bridge is open. It's the highest & longest arched suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere- 890 feet above the Colorado River. It's stunning!
And enjoy Sin City. Always fun to see,especially at night. Don't miss the dancing fountains at the Bellagio and make sure to take advantage of the monorail service that takes you to many of the top name resorts/casinos.