Grand Canyon Travel Forum

Hello - we are planning to drive from las vegas to lake powell. On the way have two nights to spend at the Grand Canyon. For the first, we are thinking of staying in the SkyWalk area. Any hotel recommendations would be appreciated?
Any suggestions for the location of the second nights stay. Our goal is to break up the 8 hour drive from SkyWalk area to Lake Powell and get a second look at the Canyon. Ideally a mid way stop would be great. Not clear if we should drive from South Rim to North to Lake Powell or just do the whole South Loop up to Lake Powell. Any hotels/ranches at the second location would be very helpful. Thanks! THis is our first trip with a newborn so we are trying to plan carefully.

When are you going?

I think North Rim will be very out of your way.

I haven't been the Skywalk. But I am not sure if there are any accommodations in the area. You may have to stay at Kingman which is at the junction of US-93 and I-40. As for the second night, depending on your schedule, you could stay at Tusayan (South of Grand Canyon South Rim) or Cameron (East of Grand Canyon South Rim). If I remember correctly, there aren't any accommodations along the east section of Hwy-64 (but it is a very scenic drive). I am not sure if you have enough time to drive to the North Rim. Also, the North Rim is not going to open until mid-May.

Read the reviews on the Skywalk before you plan too much into it, if you haven't already. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon visit the South Rim, which is $35 per car (no parking fees), accessible by paved road and open year-round.
There are no hotels at the Skywalk. The closest hotel is in Peach Springs, which is at least 2 hours away.
Not sure if you were saying it was, but Lake Powell is not part of the Grand Canyon but, rather, Glen Canyon, which is completely different. Glen Canyon, below the dam, is not nearly as exciting as the Grand Canyon, but it's still impressive. Downstream of Glen Canyon, you have Marble Canyon, which is the only place in the region that you can drive down, on paved road, to the free-flowing (i.e. - not dammed) Colorado River. It's a beautiful spot with lots of history but, again, not the Grand Canyon. The actual park boundary starts very near there, but it's far from either access point.
As mentioned, the North Rim is closed until, generally, mid-May with the actual facilities (lodges, visitors centers, campgrounds, etc.) opening about a month later. The road usually closes some time in November when the snow gets heavy.
My suggestion: Drive from Vegas to the South Rim, stay in the park for two days or, if you want some variety, stay at Cameron Trading Post or even in Flagstaff. There's plenty to do at the Grand Canyon and it would be a shame if you were driving almost the whole time. Don't try to do the North Rim this trip.

If you want to stay near the Skywalk you just about have to stay in the park itself. http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging-289.html is the website for those lodgings. The Grand Canyon Lodge is on the north rim.

El Tovar Lodging at El Tovar may be booked well in advance
Bright Angel
Kachina Lodge
Thunderbird Lodge
Maswik Lodge
Yavapai Lodge
Phantom Ranch (at the bottom of the canyon)
Trailer Village (for RVs)

>>>If you want to stay near the Skywalk you just about have to stay in the park itself.

Nope, the Skywalk is actually at the West Rim that is separated from the South Rim and North Rim.

OK - sorry I haven't actually been to the Grand Canyon since about 1966 and there wasn't any Skywalk then. I'll have to figure out a way to take one of my grandchildren out there (since I doubt if I can get my husband to go back).