Grand Canyon??

DSDP Don wrote:
The South Rim has a campground within the park called Trailer Village. I'm guessing that if you haven't booked a spot already, you won't get one. There is also a campground (nothing special), called Camper's Village. It's right at the entrance to the park, in the town of Tusayan.

Camper's Village is located behind a strip mall with restaurants and stores. Just in front of the campground is a shuttle stop for the park. This would probably be your best bet for finding a campsite and getting around without a car.

The South Rim is accessed from I-40 and then north on Hwy 64 for about 60 miles to the park entrance. On I-40 at Hwy 64, is the neat little town of Williams. It has two KOA's (east and west) and several other campgrounds. The one we like is called Grand Canyon Railway Park. I believe Grand Canyon Railway Park has a shuttle that will take you into town and to the Grand Canyon Railroad.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the railroad trip, just a straight ride up and back, nothing exciting.

You should allow at LEAST two days to see all of the park. Once inside, the shuttles will take you everywhere you need to go.

For us, the best experience is to stay at Trailer Village, inside the park and be able to walk to the village or catch the shuttle at the rv park gate. You'll see Elk walk right through the campground during the day.

If you know your dates, I would call Tuesday for a Trailer Village site. It's booked through Xanterra.

What he said ^^^^^^^. Train ride is a waste of money.IMO..and I'm a train buff....Dennis

I'd also recommend staying in the park at Trailer Village. The free shuttle stops right there and you can even walk to the Rim. It's the easiest way to visit the Canyon and you'll want to be there at least two nights to really enjoy it. It's best early morning at late afternoon/evening when the majority of folks thin out.

Taking the train from Williams is a long day and you're only at the Canyon a couple hours before having to return. It's definitely not enough time if you're making the effort to really 'see' the Canyon. There are many ranger programs and an easy hike along the Rim getting off and on the shuttle bus whenever you want. I'd also recommend that you hike below the Rim on the Bright Angel Trail if only for 1/8 mile or so. It will give you an altogether different perspective of the Canyon. Also plan to be at the Rim at sunset. It's always a great show!

Stay in Williams and take the train to the South Rim.

The South Rim has a campground within the park called Trailer Village. I'm guessing that if you haven't booked a spot already, you won't get one. There is also a campground (nothing special), called Camper's Village. It's right at the entrance to the park, in the town of Tusayan.

Camper's Village is located behind a strip mall with restaurants and stores. Just in front of the campground is a shuttle stop for the park. This would probably be your best bet for finding a campsite and getting around without a car.

The South Rim is accessed from I-40 and then north on Hwy 64 for about 60 miles to the park entrance. On I-40 at Hwy 64, is the neat little town of Williams. It has two KOA's (east and west) and several other campgrounds. The one we like is called Grand Canyon Railway Park. I believe Grand Canyon Railway Park has a shuttle that will take you into town and to the Grand Canyon Railroad.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the railroad trip, just a straight ride up and back, nothing exciting.

You should allow at LEAST two days to see all of the park. Once inside, the shuttles will take you everywhere you need to go.

For us, the best experience is to stay at Trailer Village, inside the park and be able to walk to the village or catch the shuttle at the rv park gate. You'll see Elk walk right through the campground during the day.

If you know your dates, I would call Tuesday for a Trailer Village site. It's booked through Xanterra.

Use Williams AZ as your basecamp. It is a 60 mile straight drive up the highway to the Grand Canyon Rim. We have often stayed at the Circle of Pines KOA in Williams. They have a car rental connection at the front desk, we rented a van for our group. Williams is a small large town 15 minutes from Flagstaff, and I'm sure car rental will not be a problem at any location. You can take the tourist train up to the canyon. We haven't made that trip, spending a day on the train to cover an hour drive just wasn't our thing. Enjoy.

Stay in Williams AZ. ride the train up and back. no car needed. train is a fun ride. use the transit in the park.

I don't know about car rentals at the Grand Canyon, but the South Rim shuttle buses are THE way to get around in the park. They are free, and will take you anywhere you want to go inside the park. The Park Service discourages people driving themselves around in the park by having those buses free and ubiquitous as well as having a HUGE parking area in one spot and few parking places elsewhere in the park.

If you are talking about the South side, yes, but I would recommend reservations for both the campgrounds and the rental. It can be really busy. Do a search for RV parks, Grand Canyon, south side, and you should find quite a few. If I remember correctly, there is a shuttle bus that runs on the south side.

stepdad wrote:
Hey good folks,
We would like to stop by the Grand Canyon this summer and maybe without a toad. If we don't have a toad are car rentals available at the Grand Canyon? Also, how about RV parks?

~Thanks, John

Stayed a week in the Flagstaff KOA once and rented a car there for going about town and other points of interest besides the south rim of the canyon. Not sure about uptown Grand Canyon itself, but did see a lot going on not far away, so most likely not a problem, either way with campgrounds, as well as the one inside the park.
Did the west rim as well, with a rental car out of Las Vegas where we were staying. Don't know about the North rim and most likely, it's pretty remote by comparison.

If you stay inside the Park at Trailer Village RV Park, The free shuttles will take you to most of the stops and overlooks.