Grand Canyon Travel Forum

Hi. We will be staying in Flagstaff for 2 days in mid June and plan to do a day trip to GC (our first). I've read in all the guide books that's a busy time of year with crowds, parking problems, etc. at the South Rim. I'm curious to know from those who have been there at that time of year if its really THAT bad of a problem. Can you get a few pictures without people getting in the way? Or would it be worth the extra time to drive to the North Rim?

Thanks

We just got back from a trip that started at the Grand Canyon. There will be many places where you can get unobstructed views of the canyon -- it is HUGE and the trails cover a long distance.

While most people head straight for the South Entrance of the Grand Canyon, from Flagstaff you can take US 89 to Arizona 64 to reach the EAST entrance of the park. Desert View is the first official "vantage point" and the views are extraordinary. For the next 25 miles, you can drive and stop at several viewing spots such as Navaho Point, and Lipan Point (where you get great views of the Colorado River). You park your car and head down the paths to the vantage points. Having taken advantage of seeing some of these places, continue on this drive until you reach "Grand Canyon Village" where there are multiple parking lots. This is where you'll find some of the crowds - but you can see what the in-the-park lodges are like, and pick up general park information either at the Info Center or in the lobby of Bright Angel or El Tovar Lodges.

If you've packed a picnic lunch, you might want to catch one of the shuttle buses to Maricopa Point or Powell Point if you want a longer trek, and hike the rim trail back to the village, stopping to picnic along the way. (There aren't tables or clearly marked spots, but it's not hard to find some shaded rocks or felled trees just off the path. Obviously you will need to haul your trash out with you to be disposed of in the containers that are easy to spot at each "viewing" area. ) Even if you don't take a lunch, be sure to CARRY WATER, and drink it! You get dehydrated easily at high altitudes!

I'm sure there will be more people there in July than we saw in April, but don't worry. You won't be stuck "in a crowd" at very many places.

Yes, very busy time of year, and parking will be a problem. Go early. Very early, and not just for the crowds, but also because there's a lot to see and do at the Grand Canyon and it may be hard to mush it up into a single day. It will also be fairly hot.
There are quite a few places to see the actual canyon where you can get pictures. If you go to the vantage points near the parking lots, then you'll likely find crowds waiting to get to the edge for a picture.
From Flagstaff, it wouldn't be worth your time to drive to the North Rim. But, if you were coming from Vegas, it would be about the same. However, mind you, North Rim has fewer places to see the Canyon and, although there are significantly fewer people there than at the South Rim (the buses of geriatric and foreign tour groups iconic to the South Rim will be missing), there are still plenty of people that visit it.

Yes, the crowds can be awful but it is as easy as taking the shuttle to Traveler's Rest or one of the stops in between and walking along the rim to find some solitude. The biggest crowds are where the hotels, restaurants, etc are located on the south rim. So go there for a quick look but go somewhere else quickly if you want to lose the crowds. Also go for the sunrise.
As the previous post mentions it is too long a day to go from Flagstaff to the North Rim and be able to enjoy it.

You can get pictures on the North Rim, but you might have to walk a ways. You can always park down by the off-rim lodges. The North Rim is pretty great - way less crowded and it's a pretty drive. On the other hand, there are condors near the south rim. I really hate crowds, so I would probably opt for the North Rim, but obviously most canyon-goers disagree with me.

I would suggest that not only will it be cooler and less people, but you will get better pictures as close to sunrise as you can get. If you can't do sunrise, try for sunset.

Hello-

YES, its gonna be busy. But no problems with getting LOTS of photos without crowds in the way. As much as I love the North Rim, the South Rim is MUCH closer to Flagstaff. Route 180 to the South Rim is very scenic. Buy your gas in Flag- regular is around $4.50 up here. Watch your speed on Hwy 64 from Valle to the park. If you do head to the North Rim, you will need reservations. Although there are no crowds, there are also WAY fewer rooms & campsites.

ENJOY!!