[Hal Evans]

It will be our first upcoming Las Vegas trip. We plan to spend time exploring the Grand Canyon, too. Alas! Internet has few details on the Grand Canyon drive by our own car. Says, "five hours." Is that round trip? How is Boulder City to say in, which looks like the nearest city to the GC.

Any suggestions to staying in Las Vegas. We want to be near the Convention Center. We arrive Wednesday and only want to do Vegas per se for two days, then off to the natural wonders like the Grand Canyon.

So please, some advice, folks. Thanks!

[jfkIII]

5 hours is each way...I recommend an overnight stay, at minimum.

[dynimagelv]

depends on the overall time you have to spend in the SW.
The canyon is 5 hours drive from Las Vegas.
There is a cheaper version at what is called the "West Rim"
That's like saying that you can see Paris by going to the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
West rim is run by the Havasu indians and cost a ton to get into and its 1/10th of what the Canyon is.

The closest town to the south rim is Williams AZ....you might consider a drive to Williams...take the TRAIN to the south Rim [they have several packages available] remain over night at the rim and return the next day....schedule at LEAST 3 days for the trip, you'll regret it with less.

The south Rim [or the North rim] are a part of one of the wonders of the world. The west rim.....is there too.

[yourbasicmom]

i drove it in 4 hours once, my house in henderson to the gate of the gc national park...
boulder city is not the closest city to the grand canyon. there is kingman and williams along the way from las vegas. you can actually stay in the park and leave your car for the entire time, and here you can check for reservations Grand Canyon tours, accommodation, vacation. Hotels, camping, cabins. - Lodging Overview

forget the "west rim" unless you are in the grand canyon national park and can go on the west rim drive. they are 2 completely different places.

[jfkIII]

And if you're expecting a romantic view as the sun rises...don't even try. Busloads of Chinese have the market on that one. If you can stay at one of the lodges in the park, it might be worth th money to do so.

[dynimagelv]

We spent two nights at tthe southrim on our honeymoon 15 years ago,,,,it was FANtastic

[jfkIII]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

We spent two nights at tthe southrim on our honeymoon 15 years ago,,,,it was FANtastic

Ahhh...so you rode the a$$ all the way to the bottom?

[Buzz123]

Boulder City is only 30 miles from Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is 274 miles.

Here's a MapQuest of the route: Driving Directions from Las Vegas, Nevada to South Rim Entrance Station, Arizona

The north rim is closed in winter so you can't go there. The south rim is 1000 feet lower and is where all the tourists go. It is open all winter but it is cold so wear your winter gear. You'll probably see snow on the ground, and if you are talking about later this week you might get caught in snow near Williams where you turn off I-40 to the canyon. Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

If you go, do not try to hike too far down the trails unless you are in excellent shape and have plenty of water. And when you ignore this because I know you will, remember the trails are probably slippery with snow, and it's a long way to the bottom...or the next shelf in the cliff anyway. And you can't go all the way to the bottom and back in one day either. If you didn't make reservations at least a year ago you more than likely won't find a place to stay at the canyon. Your best chances are a motel in either Williams or Flagstaff, AZ.

If you only have one day I suggest you go to Zion Canyon National Park instead and save the Grand Canyon for when you have more time. You won't be sorry. Zion National Park - Zion National Park Utah Walk around the little town of Sprindale, UT, and have dinner at the Bit and Spur. And be sure to stop on the way up or back for breakfast at the Bear Paw Cafe in St. George, UT.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

Ahhh...so you rode the a$$ all the way to the bottom?

unfortunately no.....even Canyon A$$e$ have a load limit....

[SoHoVe]

Also consider visiting the Valley of Fire which is about 40 min outside Vegas. It is a beautiful area and well worth the quick trip IMHO.