Go to Grand Canyon without a tour? (Grand Canyon Village: college, bus)

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Return2Paradise

I can't imagine why anyone would want to spoil such an experience by being packed in with other humans while a tour guide yammers on. That would have totally ruined it for us. You can search online for the best places to go and don't really need someone else dictating what you see and how much time you spend.

This.

Originally Posted by johnp292

Park at the Visitors Center and use the free shuttle buses. Problem solved.

This too.

OP, also be aware the Skywalk is not part of the National Park it is run by Native Americans and is in a different location.

True, the Skywalk is at the West Rim, which is on the Hualapai Indian reservation. That may be where the OP is planning on going, since he didn't actually specify, and it's much closer to Las Vegas than the south rim.

[infocyde]

I don't know, I've done the non-tour and the tour. I took my Father up via the Williams' train and although it was kind of hurry take a look, eat your lunch, and then get on the train again to go back down it wasn't a bad time (if you do this I'd recommend staying the night up there and coming back the next day).

Just know that during certain times of the year parts of the Grand Canyon is mobbed.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by infocyde

I don't know, I've done the non-tour and the tour. I took my Father up via the Williams' train and although it was kind of hurry take a look, eat your lunch, and then get on the train again to go back down it wasn't a bad time (if you do this I'd recommend staying the night up there and coming back the next day).

Just know that during certain times of the year parts of the Grand Canyon is mobbed.

Pretty much from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the South Rim, I'd say.

[Yakscsd]

FFS it's a hole in the ground, you don't need a tour.

[PDD]

If you want to learn something on your site seeing tour then take an escorted tour. If you just want to take a peek without learning anything then DIY.

The people who get the most out of any site seeing are the ones that know the benefit of a tour guide.

Just saying!

[jamies]

From Vegas I'd charter a plane to fly you up to the GC airport then get a car to the Tovar lodge area. That would be the most enjoyable way and avoud seven - eight hours plus driving.

[WilmaWildcat]

This wouldn't help the OP, but it was a good experience. We visited the GC for our 25th wedding anniversary last October, which is a great month to do so. Weather then is perfect; sky clear blue in the day and a million stars at night.

I'd always wanted to rent a Bright Angel rim cabin (Grand Canyon Village), and we did; it required reserving 13 months in advance. But it was worth the wait. Our cabin was right on the rim trail and our windows had a picture book view of the canyon. I don't hike, but my husband did.

[Unsettomati]

Originally Posted by soni2926

Hi,

We are planning to visit Las Vegas next month and wanted to also go to the Grand Canyon. Most of the bus tours tend to leave very early so we were planning to rent a car and drive ourselves. Is it worth it to go on our own, or tours are better? We have young kids so weren't sure if it's better just driving ourselves so we can leave and stop at our own times. Also if we go on our own are there tours guides there, and is there an area we should go to for the best views and the skywalk?

Thanks.

Ugh... I would never visit a National Park (Ken Burns had it right when he called the National Park system 'America's Best Idea') shackled to a tour. Free yourself and see the park on your own terms!

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by PDD

If you want to learn something on your site seeing tour then take an escorted tour. If you just want to take a peek without learning anything then DIY.

The people who get the most out of any site seeing are the ones that know the benefit of a tour guide.

Just saying!

I suspect the quality varies widely. I've listened in on some of the tour bus guides at Grand Canyon, they seem to know more myths than facts. The ranger talks are a great way to learn. So are books (gasp!).

[cjseliga]

Originally Posted by Unsettomati

Ugh... I would never visit a National Park (Ken Burns had it right when he called the National Park system 'America's Best Idea') shackled to a tour. Free yourself and see the park on your own terms!

Totally agree, the only time I do a tour in a National Park/Monument/Historic Site is if it is a required option to see certain parts of the park/site that can only be seen with a tour, like in Carlsbad Caverns or Mammoth Cave or if I want to know the history of a place, I'll try and catch a Park Ranger tour (if one is available) to learn some history/insight, but will obviously explore the place on my own before and/or after.