Grand Canyon ... Local's Secrets and Tips (Flagstaff, Sedona: hotel, fence, price)

[mricu]

So the spouse has us visiting the Grand Canyon during memorial day weekend. I'm not a fan of going to touristy areas on long weekends, but it is what it is.


I'm looking to make the best out of the trip so any secrets or tips from all you local's would be greatly appreciated .. especially for long weekends there. I'm looking for things that you don't hear about from brochures, and travel sites. Things like hidden secrets, discounts and places in the Grand Canyon to "skip" over, or places that aren't too touristy.


We'll be at the Canyon for an entire day. Staying in Cottonwood (south of Sedona) and travelling with a toddler (2 year old) who is a good traveller. We are driving in from San Diego.


All your tips and advice (except for ones saying "stay home" ... trust me, I tried to convince her) are appreciated.

[Hoonose]

You might try something like this to go to the GC on about the last day....

All-Star Grand Canyon Tours Pricing Guide

[jamies]

Holiday weekend, go early expect long lines and probably a maxed out crowd. Take lots of water and snacks to avoid concession lines. People are nice though. The rim view at the main park is the best. You can do the rim drive and loop back to Flagstaff or just go, take a look, hang out awhile and check it off your bucket list.

To really explore means hiking down, or going to Supai (google it) and taking a raft trip. Not going to happen in a day but you can enjoy the main park.

If you budget covers it and they aren't fully booked a chopper flight is another great memory. Maybe not with a baby.

The train from Williams is probably fun too, but probably full already.

Have fun, be patient.

[adriver]

Won't it be free during that weekend? I could type a lot, but you don't want to read it.

[azdr0710]

first advice: don't call her "the spouse"....she is "your wife"

if driving up from Cottonwood that morning, leave extremely early....it'll be about 1.5 hours or a little more door-to-door....drive carefully on the two-lane roads.....it will be very crowded with lines at the entrance station....$30 admission, I think, unless you have a federal lands pass already.....

consider parking at the Mather area and using the free shuttle all day that runs thru the village....ask at the entrance if parking is still available and if they suggest that spot.....moving your car periodically thru the day is a pain and parking will be difficult....snag a spot first thing and carry your stuff with you for the day (a bag of snacks, water, toiletries, lunch/picnic, whatever)

walk along the rim trail, relax, look at the views, sit and stare.....take a walk thru the historic El Tovar hotel.....food choices are somewhat pricey and unremarkable - bring a non-perishable picnic from home.....

secret spots: the village area is SO popular that I don't think there are really any in the immediate area....you may want to walk along the rim trail west from the village (slight incline in the first quarter-mile past the Hermit's Rest shuttle stop) and that'll get you away from the village crowds and the rim shuttle road....keep going and you can catch a shuttle ride back from one of the marked stops along the Hermits Road (shuttle only).....

as suggested, you may want to return via Cameron and the east entrance (or enter that way) and stop at popular Desert View that way....though certainly not a "secret", great views and less crowded than the South Rim village

click here:

https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

[johnp292]

We're planning to take the RV up there again that weekend too, but trying to do it a little "off peak" by going up on Sunday and staying until Tuesday. I'd go up before Saturday but so far there's no spots open. Watching for a cancellation.

[jamies]

Oh - and don't get too close to the edge. A few idiots, err I mean victims fall over every year.

[adriver]

Originally Posted by jamies

Oh - and don't get too close to the edge. A few idiots, err I mean victims fall over every year.

most of those victims, no IDIOTS, die because they hop a fence to get a selfie.

[fluffythewondercat]

Take more bottled water than you think you'll need. They don't sell it in the park and the stuff coming out of the taps isn't all that nice.

[whitem3]

The Grand Canyon Railway travels 130 miles round-trip from Williams to the South Rim, with daily departures scheduled from both Williams and the Grand Canyon.

https://www.thetrain.com/the-train/