Grand Canyon

[klr650goldwing]

We'll be here in just a couple weeks. We are older and won't be going on long steep hikes. We heard flying through the canyon is pretty cool. What would you recommend for us to see/do in this area? Anyone who has flown in the canyon please offer your pros and cons.

[LindaAnn]

We went to the Grand Canyon about 9 years ago...stayed at Grand Canyon Railway RV Park in Williams and took the train to the Canyon. When you reach the Canyon, you get on a bus that takes you all around. They will also provide a box lunch..sandwich, chips, drinks. The train station is right at the South Rim with breathtaking views and shops. We enjoyed it.And downtown Williams is neat..we ate at a good Mexican restaurant.

[pbeverly]

If on the South Rim the Rim Trail is flat and paved. Easy walk. You can drive the Desert View road between the village and the Watch Tower and stop at the overlooks that are marked with signs. You park and none of them are much of a walk to the overlooks and they are all different and worth seeing.

[teejaywhy]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
...I understand you can no longer drive into the north rim, park outside and ride a bus in? Have a good time

Your statement is confusing. You can drive into the north rim. You can park outside. But to my knowledge, there is no bus or shuttle to take you in... (Nor has there ever been to my knowledge, but my experience does not extend back to 1957 ! :B )

[timandsusan]

Definitely go to the Grand Canyon--either North or South. There is no other place on earth like it!
We have been 4 times over the past 16 years.
The north rim in 2007--with a 37 foot 5th wheel we stayed at a rustic RV Park near Jacobs Lake that is still there with full hookups. Yes it is 40 miles to the North Rim one way--we did it several days. We also got a NF map of the area and drove on NF roads to the rim--a really great experience with the September colors in the aspens.
Next trip a few years later, we spent about 5 days on the south rim again in the fall. Helicopter trip across the canyon with a DVD of our flight with our voices on it. Great Ranger shows, campfires, stayed at the RV park on the South Rim.
In 2016 we took a 6 day float trip for 188 miles thru the Grand Canyon. There is virtually no description of that trip--Western River Expeditions was our outfitter--all meals, water, tents, cots, bed rolls were provided along with river guides who knew the geology and history of the GC. The trip was just wonderful in August. We left our 5th wheel in Page, AZ.
Last trip was in 2018, in September, and we stayed 2 nights at the Lodge on the North Rim. It was again wonderful. Tour buses arrived everyday for about 18 hour stay. The tour buses did not go to any overlook away from the Lodge. We went to the overlooks--along with about 4 other travelers! No crowds. We left our 5th wheel in Kanab on that trip and just drove out truck to the park.
Any questions, send we a message.

[agesilaus]

Definitely wrong. Kanab isn't even the nearest town, that is Jacob Lake which isn't much of a town. Then there is 40 miles or so of National Forest lands before you get to the gate. North Rim has many fewer visitors:


North Rim NPS site

[ferndaleflyer]

Never been to Zion---but I was told you could no longer drive from Kanab Utah to the North rim. I have not been there for 40 years myself. Sorry if I am wrong. It is a shame how the isolation and beauty of these national treasures is being marginalized.

[rr2254545]

Take the Hermit Road Shuttle Bus Route its great you can get off and on as you like

[profdant139]

If you have the time and energy, a trip to the North Rim in September is an option. It's much cooler than the South Rim, and the aspens are changing. Here's a blog post that may be of interest:

North Rim blog post

[monkey44]

Unless it's changed, we drove in the N Rim, and camped ... two years ago.

[agesilaus]

I understand you can no longer drive into the north rim, park outside and ride a bus in? Have a good time

You are probably thinking of Zion, not the case at Grand Canyon

[ferndaleflyer]

My first visit there was in 1957. I have also spent a night in the bottom after a mule ride down from the north rim. Last time I was there I had a class B and couldn't leave the north rim because I was out of gas. The ranger let me sleep in the gas station. Most of the good times are gone from there now I guess. I understand you can no longer drive into the north rim, park outside and ride a bus in? Have a good time

[donkeydew]

i have flown it in both fixed wing and a helicopter plus visited both sides of the canyon.
both flying the canyon beat visiting the side looking down. you can see more in a couple hours than you would see in weeks on land.
both flights we took were from las vegas .

[StarkNaked]

Link to National Park page (includes links for air tours)

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/air-travel.htm

Airport is 7 miles South of Grand Canyon South Rim. It's outside of the park entrance.

1542 Liberator Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023 (Tusayan, Arizona)

[Lwiddis]

Bring a chair. Park yourself and watch the colors change. Start before sunup and/or before sunset. If you bicycle, lots of paved trails. Drive to the east entrance…slowly. Watch for elk and deer.