mxdad777 wrote:
H E R E - Trailer Village is the place to be, for what you're looking for. Inside the park, full hookups, within walking distance to shops and restaurants, and a shuttle stop at the entrance to get you any place you want to go in the South Rim area. Park and forget about having to drive anywhere. Shuttle can do it and there's no charge.
Make reservations as soon as you have a firm date of arrival, and do that as soon as possible, to make reservations NOW so you're more likely to get spaces that are in close proximity.
Thanks for the info. My next question is...are there plenty of things do if we stay for a week or are we going to be bored after 2 or 3 days? Trying to decide if we want to stay a week there or stay a few days and then move on to a different location like Bryce National Park.
Full disclosure...the time of year that I was there was in October. Started out on the North Rim camping there, on the last full week that it was open, then moved around to the South Rim.
Depending on fitness level and interest in hiking, one thing that would take up 2 days would be to hike from Rim to Rim. I had family members who were staying at the South Rim, take a shuttle around to the North Rim, spending the night at the Lodge at the North Rim. Early morning departure from the Lodge, hiking down into the canyon, and staying overnight at the Phantom Ranch. Meanwhile, I was moving the trailer around from North to South Rim, as I didn't join the hike. Early morning the following day and hiking out of the canyon to the South Rim. This would take up 2 of the days of your time there. IIRC, you would need reservations for the overnighter at the Phantom Ranch.
Alternatively, there are rafting trips that can be taken through the canyon, starting in the area of the Navajo Bridge just below the Lake Powell Dam. There's also camping that can be combined with these trips, but again IIRC reservations need to be attempted (there's some sort of lottery system used for camping reservations - perhaps others can clarify).
If any of your group is adventurous, there's also helicopter trips that one can take. And I believe there are trips that can be taken over to the west side of the Grand Canyon to the Skywalk. If that's of interest be prepared to pay a lot for the privilege.
In October, the weather was very pleasant...on the tops, North and South. At the Phantom Ranch, the temperature was about 20 degrees warmer, since one is dropping significantly in elevation. In July, the temps down in the canyon will likely be in the 100s easily. That could be discouraging, depending on how much of a challenge your group is willing to take on. One word of advice wherever you are during your stay...HYDRATE!!! Keep copious amounts of water available.
