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Old 06-16-2008, 03:49 PM
 
22 posts, read 217,575 times
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We will be traveling to Vegas on July 4 and thought of dedicating one day to a trip to Grand Canyon. How feasible is it to drive there in the morning and come back the same day? Is there enough to see to justify the trip? Where is the place to go in Grand Canyon?
Thanks for the tip!
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Old 06-16-2008, 04:23 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,291,586 times
Reputation: 5516
Quote:
Originally Posted by financedot View Post
We will be traveling to Vegas on July 4 and thought of dedicating one day to a trip to Grand Canyon. How feasible is it to drive there in the morning and come back the same day? Is there enough to see to justify the trip? Where is the place to go in Grand Canyon?
Thanks for the tip!
I think it was Teddy Roosevelt that said, "Every American should see the Grand Canyon." That's what I say too. It is the most awesome place on earth. Unfortunately, over half the tourists you run into in our national parks are foreigners that appreciate beauty. Americans are just too spoiled by TV to get off their butts and go out and see the real thing.

Go see it. It's a he** of a lot more impressive than hotels on the Strip. But it will take roughly 4½ hours to drive each way, so you might want to spend a night. And, as it is pretty hot right now, I don't recommend the south rim in the summer, where most tourists go. The south rim is always kind of crowded anyway. The north rim is about the same driving time and is 1,000 feet higher, thus cooler, and the scenery is even better. Plus it gets about 1/10th the number of tourists. It also takes you through some beautiful Utah scenery on the way. If you are short of time, I'd recommend taking one of the air tours. grand canyon by air - Google Search

You won't regret the trip either way you go because it will be the most spectacular sight you've ever seen. Here are mapquests for both routes.

South Rim: Driving Directions from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon, AZ

North rim: I had to fool mapquest by putting in Jacob Lake, AZ because mapquest always gives the south rim when mapping from anywhere to the Grand Canyon. But at Jacob Lake just follow your nose...and the signs. Driving Directions from Las Vegas, NV to Jacob Lake, AZ
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Old 06-16-2008, 04:42 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
10,447 posts, read 49,589,806 times
Reputation: 10614
I assume you are staying at one of the "rape the tourist" hotels on the strip. If so many if not most offer a free tour bus trip to several destinations including the Grand Canyon for guests. I know specificly the Monte Carlo has a free bus for guests. It leaves quite early in the morning and is back by late dinner.

I guess the Grand Canyon by way of north of Williams, AZ which is the most popular route is about 2.5 hours??? That dont leave much touring time by bus but enough to see some of it and say you were there.

Unless you are very wealty you might be careful of the greatest tourist trap outside Nevada. The Sky Walk run by the Native Indians. You pay like $80 per person, drive on a rikity old broken down bus up 30 miles of bumpy dirt roads with no AC up to the walk. You must surrender your pocket books, camaras and be searched to make damn sure you do not have a camara. Then you must take off your shoes or sneakers to walk on that stupid glass walkway. The catch is you do not know what it costs until it is too late and you are there.

The sign at the entrance says $25 but after the aweful half hour bus ride through what is like the roads of Morroco, when the bus stops they extort another $50 from you or stay on the bus. Upon many many complaints I heard they were going to restructure that boondoggle.

Better yet. For about $100 take a chopper ride over the Grand Canyon. For just $29 you can catch a chopper down at the casino next to Hoover Dam. I think it is 30 minutes long and it flies all around Lake Mead. While you are there you should catch the lake lunch or dinner cruise. It is not expensive at all. I believe both these day trippers are bargains in the land of tourist traps.

But ya know what is best? Rent a car and go do everything at your own pace. If you make the drive yourself, DO STOP IN Seligman for lunch. You might have more fun eating at Delgadillos Snow Cap Inn. Seligman, Az. Route 66 Town
Look it up. Trust me it is worth the stop. Especially if you have kids. Try the Road Kill Steakhouse too. I guess it is about half way to the Canyon from here.

Good luck !
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Old 06-16-2008, 04:43 PM
 
1,009 posts, read 4,032,165 times
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Avoid the Skywalk ripoff.
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Old 06-16-2008, 05:17 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,291,586 times
Reputation: 5516
Quote:
Originally Posted by desertsun41 View Post
I assume you are staying at one of the "rape the tourist" hotels on the strip. If so many if not most offer a free tour bus trip to several destinations including the Grand Canyon for guests. I know specificly the Monte Carlo has a free bus for guests. It leaves quite early in the morning and is back by late dinner.

I guess the Grand Canyon by way of north of Williams, AZ which is the most popular route is about 2.5 hours??? That dont leave much touring time by bus but enough to see some of it and say you were there.

Unless you are very wealty you might be careful of the greatest tourist trap outside Nevada. The Sky Walk run by the Native Indians. You pay like $80 per person, drive on a rikity old broken down bus up 30 miles of bumpy dirt roads with no AC up to the walk. You must surrender your pocket books, camaras and be searched to make damn sure you do not have a camara. Then you must take off your shoes or sneakers to walk on that stupid glass walkway. The catch is you do not know what it costs until it is too late and you are there.

The sign at the entrance says $25 but after the aweful half hour bus ride through what is like the roads of Morroco, when the bus stops they extort another $50 from you or stay on the bus. Upon many many complaints I heard they were going to restructure that boondoggle.

Better yet. For about $100 take a chopper ride over the Grand Canyon. For just $29 you can catch a chopper down at the casino next to Hoover Dam. I think it is 30 minutes long and it flies all around Lake Mead. While you are there you should catch the lake lunch or dinner cruise. It is not expensive at all. I believe both these day trippers are bargains in the land of tourist traps.

But ya know what is best? Rent a car and go do everything at your own pace. If you make the drive yourself, DO STOP IN Seligman for lunch. You might have more fun eating at Delgadillos Snow Cap Inn. Seligman, Az. Route 66 Town
Look it up. Trust me it is worth the stop. Especially if you have kids. Try the Road Kill Steakhouse too. I guess it is about half way to the Canyon from here.

Good luck !
It takes a lot longer than 2½ hours to drive 277 miles to the Grand Canyon, so I'd be really surprised if any hotels give free bus rides there. It is over 4 hours by car. They might take you to the lake and the dam for free. But maybe you know something I don't know. I would never recommend the Skywalk either. I don't think that's even really the Grand Canyon...at least not the Grand-est part of it anyway. If the OP is an outdoors person they will want to do a little hiking. If so, be careful about how far down into the canyon you go. It is very strenous coming back up the trail so don't go down beyond your limit to get back out. Facilities for food and gas at the canyon are limited so I'd agree that Seligman or Williams would be good places to look for food and gas between Las Vegas and the Big Ditch. Kingman is also a good place to stop. Make sure your tank and your stomach is full both going and coming back. If you stay the night over there, try Flagstaff. It is almost 90 miles from The Grand Canyon, but it only adds about 35 freeway miles to the trip back to Las Vegas, and is actually a faster drive then it is from here to the canyon.
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Old 06-16-2008, 07:59 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
10,447 posts, read 49,589,806 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz123 View Post
It takes a lot longer than 2½ hours to drive 277 miles to the Grand Canyon, so I'd be really surprised if any hotels give free bus rides there. It is over 4 hours by car. They might take you to the lake and the dam for free. But maybe you know something I don't know. I would never recommend the Skywalk either. I don't think that's even really the Grand Canyon...at least not the Grand-est part of it anyway. If the OP is an outdoors person they will want to do a little hiking. If so, be careful about how far down into the canyon you go. It is very strenous coming back up the trail so don't go down beyond your limit to get back out. Facilities for food and gas at the canyon are limited so I'd agree that Seligman or Williams would be good places to look for food and gas between Las Vegas and the Big Ditch. Kingman is also a good place to stop. Make sure your tank and your stomach is full both going and coming back. If you stay the night over there, try Flagstaff. It is almost 90 miles from The Grand Canyon, but it only adds about 35 freeway miles to the trip back to Las Vegas, and is actually a faster drive then it is from here to the canyon.
Well finally we agree on something. Yes indeed Flagstaff is an awesome place to stay and even spend some time. Flagstaff is our stop over and sometimes our destination with the RV. We always stay at Woody Mountain RV Resort. There is an old 50s restaurant down the main drag we love too. It is very very cool up there at 7000' elevation. Flagstaff is a summer get away to those who live in Phoenix just like Mt Charleston is to Las Vegans to escape the brutal heat.

Only thing I dispise going up that mountain is I can watch the gas gauge falling in the motor home. It is quite the climb.

There is a good chance you will see massive 16 point Elk by the road side just at sun down almost anywhere where there are some woods.
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Old 06-16-2008, 09:33 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,291,586 times
Reputation: 5516
Quote:
Originally Posted by desertsun41 View Post
Well finally we agree on something. Yes indeed Flagstaff is an awesome place to stay and even spend some time. Flagstaff is our stop over and sometimes our destination with the RV. We always stay at Woody Mountain RV Resort. There is an old 50s restaurant down the main drag we love too. It is very very cool up there at 7000' elevation. Flagstaff is a summer get away to those who live in Phoenix just like Mt Charleston is to Las Vegans to escape the brutal heat.

Only thing I dispise going up that mountain is I can watch the gas gauge falling in the motor home. It is quite the climb.

There is a good chance you will see massive 16 point Elk by the road side just at sun down almost anywhere where there are some woods.
And it's close to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
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Old 06-16-2008, 09:50 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
10,447 posts, read 49,589,806 times
Reputation: 10614
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz123 View Post
And it's close to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
Ah yes Oak Creek Canyon. I can go on and on about what a great place that is but the OP has a day to tour....not a week.

Boy has that place changed over the years. We were there last summer and could not find a place to park a large motor home so we had to keep on going.
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