Grand Canyon Travel Forum

Hello!
I'm planning for a trip to Phoenix late this month. I also like to visit Grand Canyon from Phoenix. I have lots of questions about it.
First, is it a good time to visit Grand Canyon around March 24th? Will it be very crowded at the time?
Second, I did some reading about it. It seems that after I arrive there, I can either park my car in a parking lot and take shuttle bus in the park or drive by myself. Which one do you think is better? I'd like to have enough time to see all the wonderful sightsees, will shuttle bus cover all the sightsees I should see?
Third, if I don't drive by myself, is there any tour starting from Phoenix will take me to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas? I have three days, my ideal tour will have both Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. If not, then only Grand Canyon is OK also. Is there any tour like that and how much will it cost?
Thank you very much.

I can not answer your tour questions, but can some of the others. First, late March is a good time to visit the GC. It will be chilly...even cold. There may even be some snow on the ground. But the vis should be good..unless there is the odd weather front passing through. Also, there will not be the crowds as you would experience if visiting during the summer months.

Since there will not be crowds when you visit, I would personally drive since it offers the flexibility to stop where you want for as long as you want and as often as you want. After your visit you can then go to Vegas by car. If you are really adventourous, make the long trip around the canyon to the more remote less frequently visited North Rim.

I know you will enjoy the experience.

My husband and I were at the Canyon in November a few years ago and it was cold. Going during winter months is so much better because the crowds are thin and you can really enjoy the peace of it all.

You cannot go to the North Rim as it is snowed in now and the road from the south rim to the north rim is closed for the winter -- they get lots of snow on the north rim -- higher elevation is part of the reason.

The free bus shuttles weren't operating when my husband and I went and we had taken the train up from Williams. But I checked online and you can find out more information at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm. I'd also give them a call. The weather today 23/58 F.

Let me say this, there is never a BAD time to go visit the Grand Canyon. It is my favorite place on earth. The crowds in the summer are rough so I've stopped going in June-August.

Have a wonderful trip. Oh, take the road that goes through Sedona on your way up -- at least I would look into it -- done that in the summer and it is gorgeous but don't know about the winter (we drove thru there at night in our November trip).

That timing should be great! Not too many people and Spring should be arriving!

Regarding the driving, where did you want to go? You can drive, but the shuttles should be running. Check NPS.GOV under the Grand Canyon for more information. That would be the National Park's websit. Normally the shuttles will run both directions, West to Hermit's Rest (about 7 miles) and to the East near the South Kaibab trail. The shuttle stops at the various view points. Parking is always an issue there. If you arrive early you shouldn't have any problems.

If you drove, you could stop in Sedona and check out the red rocks along the way too. 3 days isn't much time when you factor in the distances. It takes around 5 hours just to get to Vegas from te Grand Canyon. You can make it to Flagstaff in just a couple of hours and it is around and hour to an hour and a half from there to the Canyon.

Where are you staying?

Check out my Grand Canyon page - you need to get below the rim on either the Bright Angel trail or the South Kaibab trail. Even if you just go a mile to 2 miles, you will have a different view of the canyon, not to mention a great experience too!

Doing both tne Canyon and Vegas in 3 days would be tight. You would spend much of your time on the road. I have taken a shuttle from Phoenix to The Grand Canyon. Google Open Road Tours.

Thanks a lot everyone. I have a much clear idea about the trip now.
mikehanneman, your Grand Canyon page is great. I didn't book my hotel yet. I tried Xanterra's website as you suggested but it seems all hotels have been booked out already. It seems I'm too late. :(

Thanks for the comment on my Grand Canyon page! I appreciate it!

Don't give up on calling Xanterra. When I was at the Phantom Ranch I asked a guyhow he got the cabin and he said he just kept calling and someone cancelled.

Ironically, I am going there in June and couldn't get a room at Yavapai for a day earlier than I booked. The person on their 800 number said one of the 16 Bright Angel Cabins had opened up from a cancellation. I booked that and I am really happy! My advise is to call almost daily - I feel quite strongly you can get a room - they don't show up on Xanterra's website as an opening. The Grand Canyon is always busy but youy are going at a somewhat slower time than summer too.

Good luck and have fun. Share some pictures and your story on VT when you get home!

Mike

Our family of four just went to the Grand Canyon this past week.We left from Tucson on Monday morning, drove through Sedona ( beautiful). I would like to say that if you go to the Canyon and can spend a little extra money, book one of the National Geographic tours. We had 3 hours and this was not only enough, but so wonderful since our guide (Mike)was extreamly knowledgable about the history, and geology. I wish I could rave about the lodging in the canyon...I can't. The concession gets alot of money for mediocre lodging and food. We kept our car, drove just5 miles outside the entrance to the park,got the tour, ate down the road at the cafe where locals eat just past Wendy's, then when we headed out of town the next morning, got sandwhiches at the shop just before Wendy's and we Had an absolutely wonderful trip. Picture taking and best sight seeing is before 11 and after 4:00. The weather is always a factor; ours was clear and 60. Hope you have a great time.

agreeing the the previous posts, I used to work at the Grand Canyon. Keep calling you will probably get a space in the park, it is not really that expensive, I worked and subsequently stayed at Yavapai and it is mediocre and the food is too. But to get up in the morning and watch the sunrise....yea! and the shutle bus if it is running is a good thing.