Calgary to Grand Canyon - what not to miss on the way?

Thanks. Great to hear from a local. Have you ever done the day rafting through the canyon with the helicopter out? A bit pricey but looks really nice.

Hi from AZ. . . yes, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder ! We SO prefer the North Rim of GCNP. It's higher, cooler, wilder, & WAY less crowded. It's said that 9 out every 10 visitors go to the South Rim. The South Rim has more buses full of tourists, more t-shirt shops & more snack bars. There are several places to see the Canyon either way, and. . . it's the same canyon. It's farther from, say Phoenix, because you have to go around the canyon, but from Page or Utah, closer. We love that place. regards, Craig

Thanks for the suggestions!

Check out Williams, Az. Has great train ride to Grand Canyon and RV campgronds--also,Route 66., Lars

http://experiencewilliams.com/

If you go to Bryce Canyon Nat. Park--this is a great place to camp:
http://www.rubysinn.com/

Glen Canyon Dam has tours also. http://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

The south side of the Grand Canyon has more areas to see the canyon as one drives along the 'side' road & has a long drive along it, if I remember correctly. They have shuttles one can take to see some selections of it.

One could see a lot of Bryce Canyon National Park in one day & an overnight as well as Zion. We did Zion with a day trip, not taking the TT.

Edit addition:
There was a heat wave in the area when we visited Bryce & Zion, therefore we went to higher elevation to spend some time in the area. We camped at a Forest Service Campground (Dixie Nat'l Forest, I believe) at Panguitch Lake & drove the back country to Zion one day. We got into very high elevations on the route, very cool & it wanders through the upper sections of Cedar Breaks Nat'l Mon't. We wanted to see Bristlecone pines. It was a detour loop back to US 89 using UT 143 & UT 14. A neat drive.

The oldest trees in Cedar Breaks National Monument are the Bristlecone Pine. One Bristlecone is over 1,600 years old. You can view this tree on the Spectra Point Trail.

I didn't know about this: "Cedar Breaks offers a spectacular camping experience at 10,000 feet elevation. Ranger-led evening programs are offered on weekends in the 26-site campground." Might be neat.

If only doing one & it isn't 100 degree weather, Zion would have a lot to do, even wading/splashing in the river there.

One thing I regret doing was taking the kids on a trail ride at Bryce. But it was hot at the time.

Yes, they still do tours.
Hoover Dam tours
I would do the south rim. More to see and the Sun will be at your back so canyon is more visible. Great photo opts mornings and evening.
Go to NPS.gov for good information on US national parks

Thanks - haven't heard of Canyonlands - will check it out.
Would you bother with both sides of the Grand Canyon?

Hoover dam was my sons idea - do they still do the tours?

Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Canyonlands NP, Arches.
I would skip Hoover Dam and go through Page, AZ. Only thing to see is the new bridge. It is more of a wonder! and see Glen Canyon area at the upper end of the Grand Canyon. Great Dinosaur exhibit

I know we won't have time for much - too many nice places to pick from - that's why we need the help. For example would you pick Bryce Canyon or Zion national park to spend a day or two? Mesa Verde looks incredible but it is a bit off the path - worth the drive?
Thanks.

With that short a time frame I would not try to see too many places.