I realize I will probably be in a heap of trouble when I ask this, but here goes. I have a trip planned to go to Sturgis for bike week then over to Yellowstone for a week. We are then heading south Kanab so the wife can spend a couple of days at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. From there we are going to the canyon. I realize that this is not the best time of the year to see Yellowstone and to be in Arizona, but wanted to combine that part with our trip to bike week.My questions is, what exactly is there to see at the grand canyon. As much as I would like to go to the bottom of the canyon that will not happen as my wife had surgery and lost part of a lung. This makes breathing difficult for her. We were at the canyon about 2 years ago, but were only able to spend a couple of hours as it was a day trip with friends from Phoenix.I realize that this is a strange request, but any help would be appreciated.

Honestly, the Canyon is what you see at the canyon. There's different views and small details to pick out. Going down into the canyon I guess you get a different perspective? Spending a day jostling around on the back of a mule/donkey doesn't sound exciting to me :) There's the touristy Watch Tower, part gift shop, part observation tower over near the South East entrance I found Utah highway 128 to be equally spectacular. Same Colorado River, same fantastic blends of oranges, reds, browns in the rock. The bonus of UT128, you can pull your camper right into a BLM rustic site along the Colorado and camp there a few days. Only way you're camping next to the Colorado in Arizona is after riding or hiking down the walls, and then you're sleeping on the ground in a tent.

" I realize that this is not the best time of the year to see Yellowstone and to be in Arizona"I've been there in all seasons. Its always a good time to see the canyon.

While you are waiting for responses search this Forum for `Grand Canyon' and read the previous posts. Consider the train.

The first question is, when are you going? If it's in the spring/summer, you will have the choice of visiting the North Rim, which is an easy two hours from Kanab rather than the 5+ it will take to reach the South Rim. It's much quieter on the North Rim, and just as pretty.Unless you want to hike into the canyon, at either North or South, your activities are more or less limited to driving around to scenic points and oohing and aahing. But there are few places on earth better suited for doing that. You could also attend a ranger talk; those are fun.Both rims are at considerable altitude (the North is well over 8000 feet, and the South 7000), so you might want to consider how that might affect your wife. For that matter, most of Yellowstone is at 7000 feet or higher, so I would keep that in mind as well. Most people, even with lung problems, handle the altitude just fine after a couple of days, but I would ask your wife's doctor.

Presumably, since you mentioned Bike Week at Sturgis, you'll be there some time between August 3 and 12? Then a week in Yellowstone, driving south to Kanab for several days...sounds like that would put you at the Grand Canyon in late August. Having just done the GC, both rims, in October 2017 I would strongly recommend the North Rim. It will be cooler, less crowded, and quieter there. The campground inside the park is no hookups, so keep that in mind, depending on your needs. There's a couple of FHU campgrounds at Jacob Lake, which is about 45 miles north of the North Rim Visitors Center. Since your wife has limitations there are still points of interest to see, that would not overly tax her health, and to which you can drive for photo ops.If you decide to do the South Rim, check out Trailer Village inside the park. FHU sites are available (for A/C) and there's a shuttle that can take you everywhere you want to go. There's 3 very distinct areas at the South Rim, each with appeal depending on your interests. There's also museums and lots of information on the formation of the Canyon and it's historical development. We were there for a week (family hiked down to the Colorado River from north to south) and there was plenty to see and do while there. You will not be bored.ETA: Elevations. Will impact the weather you experience. It will be generally cooler. You don't indicate your starting point, which could be important. Sturgis is around 3400 feet. Yellowstone is around 8000 feet average. Kanab is 4200 feet. North Rim of the Grand Canyon is 8300 feet and South Rim is 6800 feet. Going the way you plan, starting in Sturgis, is actually a good idea, since you and your wife can acclimate to altitude gradually, which is the recommended way to do it. And, with the exception of some passes in the Yellowstone area, you'll be under 9000 feet the entire trip. Certainly doable for folks with health issues, if proper precautions are taken.

Grand Canyon | Good Sam Community

Lauren
Explorer
Jan 14, 2018
I have won 2 awards for images shot right into the sun - but one was sunrise and one at sunset; not midday.

I will go back to NR if you give me a winning Powerball ticket. The top prize only.

Will be back to the S R for 5 days this Sept.
donkeydew
Explorer
Jan 13, 2018
considering your wife's condition the north rim may be to high for her comfort.
you might consider a helicopter or fixed wing tour of canyon,having done both and visited both sides i enjoyed the view from the air flying through the canyon the most.what ever you decide they all are spectacular. you can't go wrong.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jan 13, 2018
Lauren wrote:
As you are taking pictures from the North Rim, remember you are shooting directly into the sun.

Went to the N R twice; thought we really missed something on the first visit. Confirmed to us we did not.

Yes, I knew about the side roads and the hiking - some or both of which many cannot do for one reason or another.

Have been to the S R many times. Have award winning photography. Most photographs you see of the GC are from the S R.

We'll keep trying to get you back to the North Rim Lauren, Sometimes looking into the sun has advantages;

:B
cliffy49
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2018
Well, thanks for the advice. Wife and I are going to possibly change our stops to take in some of your advice. Me, I just drive. I have determined it is better to let her decide where we are going.
Lauren
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
As you are taking pictures from the North Rim, remember you are shooting directly into the sun.

Went to the N R twice; thought we really missed something on the first visit. Confirmed to us we did not.

Yes, I knew about the side roads and the hiking - some or both of which many cannot do for one reason or another.

Have been to the S R many times. Have award winning photography. Most photographs you see of the GC are from the S R.
ohhell10339
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
Lauren wrote:
North Rim is very limited views - go to South Rim. This is ongoing debate but that is a fact. And, as said, North Rim higher and not so good with your wife condition. God bless.

The North Rim has a much greater variety of views than the South Rim. That's because the South Rim is a single relatively even cliff edge, whereas the North Rim is irregular and has several peninsulas, or points, jutting into the canyon. So you can drive to viewpoints that are physically much closer to the Colorado even though the South Rim is closer to it than the North Rim developed areas.

There are four such viewpoints, all of which you can drive to, each of which offers a much different perspective than from the North Rim developed areas (Point Sublime Road is fairly rough). You might think there's not much to see at the North Rim if you didn't know about those side roads.

Altitude is high at either rim, so if your wife can cope with one, she can cope with either--but what seals the deal for me is that the South Rim is an absolute zoo in the summer, while the North Rim is a quiet oasis in the sky.
Lauren
Explorer
Jan 11, 2018
North Rim is very limited views - go to South Rim. This is ongoing debate but that is a fact. And, as said, North Rim higher and not so good with your wife condition. God bless.
2chiefsRus
Explorer
Jan 10, 2018
lots of good suggestions so far. Maybe an odd suggestion but have you considered buying a couple of those small portable disposable oxygen tanks to take with you as a "just in case" idea? might ease some of your wife's concerns. You can get two off of Amazon for less than $25
padredw
Nomad
Jan 10, 2018
I would strongly recommend the North Rim. It will be cooler, less crowded, and quieter there. The campground inside the park is no hookups, so keep that in mind, depending on your needs. There's a couple of FHU campgrounds at Jacob Lake, which is about 45 miles north of the North Rim Visitors Center. Since your wife has limitations there are still points of interest to see, that would not overly tax her health, and to which you can drive for photo ops.

From Kanab I'd highly suggest you go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a day trip. Have lunch at the Lodge overlooking the canyon and just outside the Lodge starts an easy trail out to a point overlooking the canyon.

These are great suggestions considering where you will be coming from, and especially is your earlier visit to the Grand Canyon was at the South Rim. We stayed out at Jacobs Lake and made the drive into the North Rim. Got beautiful sunset photos from the lodge, and then had a very nice supper there before returning to our trailer. You can drive along the rim and find many places to just get out, enjoy the view and take photos. This might be very good for your wife. After all these years, we still find our memories of the North Rim a highlight of our twenty years of RV traveling.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jan 10, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
Best Friends is an awesome facility. They have a couple RV sites in a gorgeous area. Reserve now!

From Kanab check out nearby Coral Pink Sands State Park. The color is beautiful. Also nearby is Pipe Spring Nat'l Monument. You could do a day trip to Zion but a long day. In my opinion, Bryce is too far for a day trip.

From Kanab I'd highly suggest you go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a day trip. Have lunch at the Lodge overlooking the canyon and just outside the Lodge starts an easy trail out to a point overlooking the canyon.
It doesn't sound like you're experienced heavy-duty hikers so you shouldn't even try hiking down to the river. It's a very demanding, difficult hike - even down! However, I do suggest you at least walk 1/8 or 1/4 mile down to get an altogether different feel of the canyon.

^^^^^^^I AGREE^^^^^^^

North Rim is just perfect if you want a day to just stare out across the Vistas.

Images

We have always enjoyed the Brunch in the Lodge - the View through the windows is just Special. Then walk around the area close - higher elevation means COOLER, even in August.

Depending on the weather, your Exit could take you to Page/Lake Powell - Monument Valley - Mexican Hat/Goosenecks SP - and then on into the San Juans of Colorado.

Sounds like a Solid Plan.

Best of Luck,

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