Grand Canyon Visit Questions

[hart4july]

We have only been once but we stayed one night at the Best Western in Williams which is nestled in the woods. It's very nice and we never heard the train, its away from the town center by about 1 mile. They had live guitar music the night we were there. The Best Western near the Canyon is pretty cool,with a pool hall, billiards,gift shop, fancy restaurant but twice the price. But we got that night free from their previous Best Western promotions.

[dacubz]

Not sure about April, but in the summer Tusayan was a nice choice. There were shuttles that ran to the canyon through entrances that aren't open to cars. This really made getting in and out simple. The ride was maybe 20 minutes each way. Nice small town atmosphere too.

[dynimagelv]

for your additional days, PLEASE consider one of the most spectacular places in the world and visit Monument Valley....

[Steve Pickering]

I have been to the Canyon over twenty times. I hiked it from rim to rim on my 40th Birthday. Stay in Tusayan. Also as others have said, keep checking the Canyon for cancelations. If you stay in Williams, just take the train to the canyon.

[keninaz]

OK, let's put it this way.
The one way distance to Williams from the Canyon is about 58 miles.
The one way distance to Flagstaff is about 77 miles.
Now the OP said they wanted two days in the canyon.
So you want to spend 2 hours or more driving back and forth to the hotel?
I would rather spend more time at the canyon myself.

[dacubz]

Originally Posted by keninaz

OK, let's put it this way.
The one way distance to Williams from the Canyon is about 58 miles.
The one way distance to Flagstaff is about 77 miles.
Now the OP said they wanted two days in the canyon.
So you want to spend 2 hours or more driving back and forth to the hotel?
I would rather spend more time at the canyon myself.

Which is why Tusayan is the choice. It it 2 miles from the park entrance.

Distances from Tusayan
North
National Park boundary; 1.5 miles
National Park entrance; 2 miles
Highway 64 junction; 6 miles
Mather Point; 6.5 miles
Grand Canyon Village; 8.5 miles
Hermits Rest; 17.5 miles
Desert View; 28 miles

South
Highway 64 junction; 22 miles
Williams; 50 miles
Flagstaff; 73 miles
Phoenix; 215 miles

[_V_]

Thank you keninaz, dacubz, and Steve for the suggestion of Tusayan. I did conisder there before posting, but a scan of the reviews on TripAdvisor indicated that all/most places were "old, tired, expensive for what they are". But as someone else pointed out, you're there to see the Canyon, not for a 5-star hotel experience. Finding a clean place with comfortable beds (back issues) is what is most important. A quick look showed approximate rates of $120-$170.

Afer 2 days in the park, and on our way back to Flagstaff, we will check out Walnut Canyon National Monument, Painted Desert or Sunset Crater. I doubt we'll have the time to go to Monument Valley, but you never know.

Off to do some more research...

[_V_]

It looks like I may have to cut my trip short and could use some more advice.

I'll spend 1 whole day in the Canyon (South Rim), catching the sunset, and then overnight in Tusayan. The next day I'll drive to the park to see anything I might have missed and proceed east on East Rim Drive toward The Painted Desert. From there I'll head south on 89 and check out Sunset Crater, Wupatki , maybe Walnut Canyon, and then on to Flagstaff (flying out of FLG the next morning).

My questions are:

1. Any suggestions on best places to see the sunset? I'm guessing on the west side ;-)

2. Are cars allowed in the park in early April? I have seen postings that said cars were prohibited during busy times, but could not verify dates on the NPS Canyon Web site.

3. Does the route through the park back to Flagstaff make sense? Google Maps wants to route me south from Tusayan via 64/180/40/89.

4. Is this side trip worth doing, or should I spend a second day in the Canyon?

Thanks.

[Rubee]

Originally Posted by _V_

What is the weather and vegetation like during early April?

We visited the Grand Canyon in early April last year, and it was perfect weather with gorgeous colors from the vegetation that you don't seen in the summer when it is dry. We all wore light jackets in the morning, and didn't need them in the afternoon.

Picture from Desert View on the south rim April 10, 2010:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs290.snc3/28150_1166171174297_1828466403_326171_1889464_n.jp g (broken link)

Same view in the summer:

Colorado River from Desert View - Grand Canyon | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/skawalker/2218866489/ - broken link)

[Dusty Rhodes]

I guess it is a function of getting old, although, I had a "hit or miss" type of memory as a young'un too", but, there is a Cave, somewhere in that region, I've been there, it was worth the trip.