Grand Canyon (train, pictures, rain)

[Badland wonder]

The drive to the North Rim would be a much shorter drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon than the drive to the South Rim. Head north on I-15 to St.George, Ut. That will take a couple of hours, but is an ok drive. Exit off I-15 to Hurricane, and in Hurricane take Hwy 59 to Fredonia. Would be be a good idea to go ahead and top up with gas in Hurricane. In Fredonia take a right to Jacobs Lake. Jacobs Lake is a gas station and the last convenience before arriving at the North Rim. It is about 2 hours to St. George, another hour to Fredonia, and about another hour to the rim itself. From Fredonia to Jacobs Lake is a gorgeous drive , mostly uphill as the North Rim is around 9,000 feet in elevation, which is great this time of year because it is not hot. You will not be fighting the crowds of the South Rim and will have plenty of Grand Canyon to view.
Go to the main lodge (and what a great lodge), get your bearings and your first awesome views and maybe lunch, unless you have packed something to eat. Then head out to some of the other view points. Maybe hike along the rim trail, etc.
Depending on how much you drive around, you should be able to wait to get gas again in Hurricane. Otherwise you can get gas at Jacobs Lake. All roads are just fine and actually enjoyable.
There could be summer afternoon showers so maybe pack light jackets also. The Grand Canyon is breath taking on either rim, inside, and above! Hope you enjoy your day.

[rambrush]

The roads to the north rim are in good shape, or was last time I was there. It is very scenic I have seen turkeys deer and elk there. Yes there is not as many historical buildings on the north side but you won't be sorry. There are a couple of left turns after you past the entrance station that take you out to some great view points.

[ScoutAZ]

If you only have time for a 1 day trip to the Grand Canyon, I would suggest that you not go.

[got2getoutofseattle]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. After talking it over with my wife and thinking about it, we've decided not to make the trip. I don't want to rush through a trip out there. We'll wait until we can go for a couple of days.... Once again, thank you all a bunch!

[kdog]

Originally Posted by ScoutAZ

If you only have time for a 1 day trip to the Grand Canyon, I would suggest that you not go.

Rubbish. One can have an excellent day trip at the Grand Canyon, at any of the three rims.

[junebug1961]

I have hiked to phantom ranch, (bottom of the canyon) three times from the south rim. We have also visited the north rim once. I vote for the first visit, no question, go to the south rim. There are so many more view points, etc... If you love to hike, go could go part way down, the views are breathtaking! The drawback would be all the people, but start hiking and that should take care of that. Don't forget to take your water.

We are moving to Prescott in a few weeks, looking forward to being close to the Grand Canyon. How many hours is it?

[junebug1961]

I just saw your post about not going... I would get out of Vegas, and make the trip. It's nice to get out of the Vegas scene, and see some real beauty... You would not reget the trip!

[vpcats]

I went to the GC in early May for the first time. Thought about renting a car and doing the whole drive to the South Rim with stops along some of the other scenic/touristy spots. Ended up flying because 10 hrs round trip was just going to be too much and we did spend the night and saw the sunset from the GC. It was a little bit overcast that evening and freezing cold (for me) but we were ready and I can't begin to tell you what an amazing place it is. Be ready to walk a lot too once there.
Just to read the history is already inspiring.

I think if you only have one day, try to fly. It may be a little more expensive but....I know for me I wasn't going to be doing it every month or every year so you splurge once.

Isn't the North Rim the one that has that see through skywalk and you get to stand way out there in between nothingness? I'd have a major heart attack if I had done that one.

If you can take a helicopter ride too while you're there..........

Have a good trip!

[vpcats]

Oh yikes!!! I answered before reading all the posts.

What do you mean you are not going???????? Why????????

I don't know how many more opportunities you'll have to go there or how close you might live (I'm way on the East Coast) but don't let anybody dissuade you. If you only have one day, make lemonade!

[kdog]

Originally Posted by vpcats

Isn't the North Rim the one that has that see through skywalk and you get to stand way out there in between nothingness? I'd have a major heart attack if I had done that one.
...
If you can take a helicopter ride too while you're there..........

Have a good trip!

No, that's actually the West rim. I was going to post that it's probably only 90 minutes to get from vegas to the west rim. However, checked with google maps, and they claim 130 miles, and that it takes 3 1/2 hours. I'm pretty sure it can be done way less than that. Maybe 2 1/2 hours. The problem is that there's a long dirt road to get into the place.

GC West is owned by the Hualapai Indians, and so they can charge whatever they want, and they only sell packages starting at $50/person(!). That includes the use of shuttles to get to the three viewpoints, includes lunch, and visits to some attractions they have like recreated villages and ranches. To get out onto the skywalk is another $25. So basically look at it as a 1/2 day of entertainment, and the cost doesn't seem as bad.

There are no guard rails at GC west. Indians have no fear of heights, and these two are having a pow-wow right on the cliff. That construction is the beginning of the Skyewalk which has since been completed.


Watch your kids here


The canyon is more narrow here than at say the south rim, however, it's still pretty impressive.