Nice! Well, seems I did everything ok for just going on a whim 👍 lol. Drove from Milwaukee WI to Salt lake to ski for a week, from there drove to Bryce, and Zion, and then Grand Canyon. The only rim open was the South. I got there at evening to watch sunset, drove out of the park and slept in my suv in the mcds parking lot, got up early and experienced sunrise. I was there on March 30 and 31. Crowds weren't bad at all. Especially at sunrise. It was awesome. Great tips you give. Nice channel 🙂
You can book one way tickets on the train. We are going in April and have a train trip from Williams to the South Rim on Thursday, and a return trip on Friday. Staying at the GC Railway Hotel Wed and Fri nights, and the El Tovar on Thursday night. It is the best of both worlds.
Winter is the best time to visit GCNP Lipan Point is the best place to watch the sunset Downhill from Desert View on SR 64 until the road straightens out is the best place to watch the sunrise Red Canyon / New Hance trailhead is the best place on the S.Rim to be alone w/ the Canyon , it is also the best place to hear the River The hike out to Yuma Point is the best dayhike in GCNP The hike down to Indian Gardens is the worst dayhike in GCNP The Cameron Trading Post is the best alternative to staying on the S.Rim Altitude lost is altitude is altitude that must be regained is the best advice that I can give a visitor to GCNP
We took the train to and from the rim and it was a great day. Several people on board were taking the train up and staying at one of the lodges for a couple of days and coming back down later. You can check luggage and they will deliver it right to your room. It does not have to be just a day trip.
I worked at the Grand Canyon south rim for five years. You didn't mention not get too close to the edge on really windy days. A two year old girl was literally blown off the edge when a wind gust came. So sad
Take the tour for the sunset. They take you out to Hermit's Rest or another of the far west overlooks, and there will be many other people out there who took the shuttle bus or hiked there. However when it is over you get to hop back on the bus and get back down to the village within 30 minutes. The others are fighting for spots on the shuttle buses or walking back and that can take hours.
You are really helping us with our vacation plans, thank you. What do you think about the Amtrak destination tour to the Canyon? We are looking at the round trip package from Chicago.
I just took that trip (started in Springfield, MA, then through to Chicago, then down to the Grand Canyon, and then back) and it was absolutely incredible! I simply cannot recommend it enough. The train trip was incredible, the hotels were great, and it was wonderful having everything taken care of for us and not having to plan everything out. You should absolutely do it!
We had a planned group trip in April. 2 weeks where we packed it in and packed it out. Hiked along the trails. Swam in the freezing creeks. Camped outside at the campsite/ ranch at the bottom. The night skies were beautiful. Best time / trip of my life. Stunningly beautiful.
Thank you for your tips and insight of what to avoid and how to. Wondering if the Fall or Spring time would be better ? Any advice would be appreciated.
I personally went in April, May, and September. It's really out of the way and a much longer drive, but going to the North Rim is fantastic with the fall color. Bring your own food, EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE as they need to have it brought in. South Rim is great if you don't mind all the people. Never been there in Winter, but not afraid to. If you don't mind the COLD, GIVE'R HELL!! I think it would be incredible!
I am planning to go to visit Grand Canyon south rim in mid December. Unfortunately I won’t have a lot of time for the visit , perhaps a bit more than half day, but I am driving , what do you guys suggest me to do?
If anyone ever tells you that the Grand Canyon is too busy and you should visit Sedona because it's less known, they are lying to you. If you want non-crowded Grand Canyon, go early, the South Entrance gate is open 24 hours, the shuttle vans start running before dawn. Sedona, on the other hand is like MTV Dance Party during freaking spring break. People. Everywhere.
Oh, there are plenty of great hikes in and near Sedona ... just stay well away from "the 'Y'." Unfortunately these days Sedona is drowning in its own yuppie popularity, as you say. But there are plenty of great trailheads, both there and to either side along the Mogollon Rim.
A place called Two Guns or Twin Arrows, AZ is the best spot near there, amazing viewing. If you get a cloudless night it's worth a visit.See pics here: www.groundedlifetravel.com/15-bucket-list-experiences-you-must-visit-in-arizona/
Thank You...I want to take my wife there in a few days and I just heard there are no shuttle buses running now. I heard that Hermit Road is the best place and you must take shuttle bus there. I do not want to drive 3 days to get there and not be able to go to the best places bc no shuttle buses. Is it possible to just drive your car and take in the grand canyon that way...stop at the view points and do a little hiking and just use your car to get around or should I wait until the shuttle buses are running again...Help!
Thanks for the video!...Can you tell me if there are affordable/"cheap" (under $100 a night) roadside "mom and pop" type motels or low end Motel 6/Super 8 type motels in Tusayan or between Williams and the park?Places that usually exist everywhere, but aren't on expedia/orbitz type booking sites.
No. There are some points, especially on the west rim toward Hermit’s rest, that are closed to private vehicles, except in the winter when the shuttle buses are not running.
Nice video with good advice, but you made a mistake about the train ride. While I would never ride the doggone thing, you should tell train fans that if they wouldn't mind spending more money, the railway offers several packages that allow staying overnight at the rim hotels, so you can take your time and see the sun set and rise. The ride is also two hours and fifteen minutes each way, with only 3 hours at the rim if you return the same day. I love trains, but would avoid the thing because I hate fake wild west shows, which appear to be mandatory "entertainment", and I would be annoyed by the singers onboard who sing folk songs and play their guitars even if you don't like what they're doing. Also, I would for sure get stuck next to the obnoxious parents with 5 loud bratty kids who would be throwing ice cubes and yelling the whole darn way up and back from Williams. Worse, I'd likely be stuck next to some hideous blue haired guy who would complain about the scenery, the comfort of the seats, etc etc etc, and while not doing that, would insist on telling me all about his decades of successful business ventures or the fact that he and his wife have seen every national park, national monument, and in fact, every country on the planet. Screw that. Have fun, as you say, in your own car, even if parking at the rim might be a royal pain. :-)
Wow, that’s a pretty negative opinion on something you have never done. I agree that the cowboy singers and train robbers are not my thing, but most people do enjoy them. Some of the singers are actually very talented, although they are better to watch when they are playing on the patio at one of the local restaurants in the evening. But if you really don’t want to see them, you can go visit the cafe car during their show. They only play about 15 minutes of the trip. And for the kids, there are a couple cars that are 12 years and up. No screaming kids!
