Grand Canyon Vacation Tips

[rob621]

We are traveling to Arizona this summer with our 2 boys (16 & 13). Have been researching the Grand Canyon and needless to say it can be overwhelming. Looking for advice/tips on the best approach to seeing the Grand Canyon from the southern rim (Flagstaff) in one day.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[WinniWoman]

We actually stayed in Sedona the whole time we were in Arizona and drove up through Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon from there for a day. From Flagstaff you are even closer, so no problem. We left very early and got to the Canyon at the 9am opening time to avoid crowds and get parking as we were there in the summer and it does get crazy crowded. (no exaggeration). We spent the whole day there- had lunch and so forth and then made the 2 hour or so (?) trek back before dark. No issues. There are shuttle buses that you take around the south rim to see the different views from various look-out points. The rangers and guides are there. Once you are there it all comes together.

Also from Sedona (and, again, closer from Flagstaff) we went to the Petrified Forest National Park, which we loved, especially the Blue Mesas and the Painted Desert. The nice thing about this park is that everyone is at the Grand Canyon so it doesn't see crowds. I actually enjoyed it better. But I had been to the Grand Canyon once before. Recommend.

This is an awesome trip. Plenty to see and do. Enjoy!

 

[riverdees05]

Check out:

http://meteorcrater.com/

https://lowell.edu/

 

[bnoble]

We also had Sedona as our home base, but we booked a night at one of the Park lodges. That way we could watch both a sunset and a sunrise. The changing colors were beautiful, and might be worth the extra money.

 

[lizap]

I would pay the extra money and stay at the El Tovar, an historic hotel inside the park. We were there recently and the park was extremely crowded. I had been years ago, and it has drastically changed in this regard...

 

[FLDVCFamily]

We actually stayed in Sedona the whole time we were in Arizona and drove up through Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon from there for a day. From Flagstaff you are even closer, so no problem. We left very early and got to the Canyon at the 9am opening time to avoid crowds and get parking as we were there in the summer and it does get crazy crowded. (no exaggeration). We spent the whole day there- had lunch and so forth and then made the 2 hour or so (?) trek back before dark. No issues. There are shuttle buses that you take around the south rim to see the different views from various look-out points. The rangers and guides are there. Once you are there it all comes together.

Also from Sedona (and, again, closer from Flagstaff) we went to the Petrified Forest National Park, which we loved, especially the Blue Mesas and the Painted Desert. The nice thing about this park is that everyone is at the Grand Canyon so it doesn't see crowds. I actually enjoyed it better. But I had been to the Grand Canyon once before. Recommend.

This is an awesome trip. Plenty to see and do. Enjoy!

So it only took 2 hours to get to the Grand Canyon from Sedona? I think that this is what we are going to do then when we go...stay in Sedona and drive to the GC. There seem to be a lot of nice timeshares in Sedona.

How far was the Petrified Forest National Park from Sedona? It sounds like a place my kids would enjoy seeing also.

 

[WinniWoman]

So it only took 2 hours to get to the Grand Canyon from Sedona? I think that this is what we are going to do then when we go...stay in Sedona and drive to the GC. There seem to be a lot of nice timeshares in Sedona.

How far was the Petrified Forest National Park from Sedona? It sounds like a place my kids would enjoy seeing also.

Yes- the Grand Canyon is 2 hours from Sedona and the Petrified Forest National Park is about 2 1/2 hours. In fact, we did a lot the day we went to Petrified Forest. On the way back we hit Flagstaff to see the meteor crater as riverdees05 has provided the link above. And the observatory is there as well.

With Petrified Forest, the tree stumps are interesting, but in my opinion, the views of the Blue Mesas (which you can walk/hike out to, but quite a ways) and the Painted Desert were awesome. As you drive through the desert to get to the park from Sedona, you will see the sand and the tumbleweeds blowing across the desert.Nothing but miles and miles of flat desert.

We stayed at Arroyo Robles in Sedona which was fine for us as it is right in town, making it walkable. Plenty of restaurants and shopping. Food store, etc. Sedona is convenient to Red Rocks and other attractions. My husband and son rode ATV's in the desert through an outfit there. We flew into Phoenix and rented a car from there to drive to Sedona.

Was a great trip. And we did everything in a week.

I was on a business trip in Phoenix once and and coworker and I took a ride up to the Grand Canyon from there one afternoon to stay one night in El Tovar (reservations definitely required way in advance) so we could see the sun go down and rise in the morning. We had a standard room. I honestly don't remember much about it. I don't even remember the sunrise/sunset views in particular.

 

[Harry]

Having been to The Canyon and hiked it more times than I want to remember, I guarantee you can not appreciate this fabulous place in one day. I still marvel at what I have not seen. Having said this, most people do what we locals call the "Canyon Fast Track" so you must spend as much time there as you can. I would suggest Flagstaff stay or better yet at one of the many hotels at The Canyon. Immediatelely take a tour tram to as many lookouts as you can. Park personnel can assist you. I would further suggest lunch at El Tovar or Bright Angel. Rooms are pretty much booked by now. Take in at least one information session with a park ranger. By the end of the day you and your sons will want to come back.

Harry

 

[derb]

Google Walnut Canyon... just east of Flagstaff.It is a fantastic site of indian
Dwellings.