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Hi Visiting in June and driving up from Phoenix. I hear horror stories about queues at the South entrance and I want to give my family a great first view ot the awesome canyon. Had thought about driving up via Oak Creek Canyon then up to the East entrance, along the East rim to the Village. We have overnight accommodation at one of the lodges. One more question..is it worth getting up for the sunrise as well as seeing the sunset? Thanks in advance for your replies,
It is many years since I was actually at the Grand Canyon so I can't speak to current conditions - and we were there in October of 1966 so the lines wouldn't have been as great that time of year anyway. As for the sunrise -- If you want to take photographs, sunrise and sunset are the best times. Otherwise the light is very 'flat' and you don't see the depth of the whole canyon - it all just blends together. It's awsome to see the sun gradually creeping down into the depths. So I'd recommend it.
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I have no help for you but I wanted to say something to be notified of future postings - I'm going in August. Have a good trip!
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I can only advise about the queues. Do all that you can to arrive early, grab the first available parking spot you find wherever it is (you'll likely not get a second chance). Lines do form for things, but sometimes food service and bottled drinks vendors will serve you with minimal waiting. As for the bus shuttles, be willing to stand and you can get an early bus -- the people waiting in line are those who wish a seat (a "space" is the Grand Canyon's rarest commodity).
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We were there in Jan 2000 and went throught the south gate. We got there about half an hour before the gates opened. I am not sure about what time it was but it only got light about an hour later. We were the only ones there and when we got to the actual rim there were only a couple of other cars. It is a drag getting up so early but it really is worth it - you can hardly even see the railing it is so dark and you stand staring into the pitch black and slowly the sun comes up and it is spectacular. We stood in the same place for about an hour just watching the light and shadows change - very spiritual. We never saw the sunset as we had to move on but sunrise was awesome. At midday the rock will just look gray the sun has to hit it from the side to see all the striations in the rock. If you can afford it take a helicopter tour for sunset (don't take a plane beacuse you will want to hover instead of flying straight over). Enjoy the greatest wonder of the world!!
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I'll add - since you won't be able to see before the sun comes up (unless there's a moon) try to figure out before nightfall where a good place would be to go. Cause you don't want to be madly driving from overlook to overlook in the dark. We were staying at a hotel there in the park so it was just where we could walk to.
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