mcjones

I see from old responses that three nights might be too long especially as I can't hike anymore. We (husband and I) are booked for three nights right outside the canyon in Tusyan. Then we head to the Sedona area and are booked there for three nights.
Its hard to imagine not being able to find enough things to do for three days in the GC even without hiking, but I've never been. We were keen on limiting the number of hotel changes, but perhaps we should only stay two nights and head towards Sedona maybe stopping for a night along the way.


Would be grateful for suggestions!

Connie

It seems too long to me. It's not close to any decent size towns to find things to do/see.

You could drive around to the north rim but that is about a 5 hour drive. The north rim is completely different from the south rim in elevation, forest, better views in my opinion, fewer people, smaller, more laid back village. It has very easy short trails out to points that give you fantastic views of the canyon.

emalloy

I would do 2 nights in GC then head east on 64 stopping at all the beautiful view points that you haven't visited yet. Then head south on 89 and stop at Wupatki and Sunset Crater. From there either spend the night near Flagstaff or head down to Sedona.

MikePinTucson

Two nights, maximim, if you don't hike at all. In fact, depending on what time you arrive, an afternoon, one night, and the following morning could well be sufficient. One thing I WOULD definitely do would be to change your lodging to something inside the park, preferably at one of the rim lodges.

I agree that a drive through the Wupatki / Sunset Crater loop on the way to Sedona would be good. In fact, depending on where you are coming from, you could do that on the way into GCNP, entering through the east entrance. That way you could see Desert View (my favorite first view and other viewpoints on the way to GC Village.

bigtyke

as I always recommend, at the main ruins in Wupatki, go all the way down to the ball court and blow hole.

mcjones

Thanks very much for all the ideas - I like the idea of the drive on route 64/89 taking in the sights and going to Wupati and Sunset Crater. So now, to figure out where to stay one night after that drive without driving much more that day - suggestions are appreciated.

sf7307

I was at the Grand Canyon many years ago, when we did walk down about a mile. I'm curious because I may want to go back someday -- if you're not hiking or rafting, what is there at the Grand Canyon that would take more than 15 minutes (i.e. the view)?

sf7307

P.S.My post is not uintended to be snarky at all, although it may come across that way. I'm really really curious.

MikePinTucson

sf7307,

There is much more than "the view". The re is the drive from the east entrance to GC village, about 25 mile, with about a dozen viewpoints. Anyone who has gone to the GC and has only gone to one viewpoint really cheated themselves. It is amazing how the view is completely different just by going 10 or 20 yards along the rim.

Besides the dozen or mor viewpoints alont the east rim drive, the shuttle takes you west of the Village maybe 10 miles. And, just like the east rim drive, the views are completely different at the various viewpoints.

sf3707, it sounds like you just drove up to the Village, walked down Bright Angel Trail a bit, walked back up and left. You really did shortchange yourself. That is nothing more than a Chevy Chase Grand Canyon visit. To experience the GC, you need to visit all the viewpoint from Desert View to Hermits Rest, plust hike down Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail about an hour (2-3 hours coming back up).

sf7307

Mike, I was a kid on a summer camp trip. -it was a long time ago. I have no idea where we went . Thanks for the tips.

PaulRabe

> if you're not hiking or rafting, what is there at the Grand Canyon
> that would take more than 15 minutes (i.e. the view)?

"The view" at The Canyon changes immensely depending on both where you are looking from and the time of day you are looking at it (also the weather and time of year, but we'll ignore those changes). The experience must be savored over time, like a fine wine -- which you COULD gulp down in a one-second swallow, but that would be like, well, spending fifteen minutes at The Canyon.

For non-hikers, I don't recommend more than 24 hours at this scenic wonder. But the difference between sunrise, sunset, and middle of the day; and between the various overlooks; is so great that to do any less than that amount of time would be a waste of a great opportunity.

Vttraveler

When our family visited the GC my husband and kids hiked down to Phantom Ranch (where they stayed overnight) and back. I wasn't in good enough shape for that hike but did enjoy taking the shuttle and hiking along the rim. I also enjoyed seeing the historic buildings and several of the ranger talks. We drove along the southern rim to the eastern entrance on the way out. I was not bored at all during a three night stay.

I would strongly recommend trying to stay in the park rather than Tusayan. Even if there are no reservations now, if you keep checking you will often find that rooms open up.

K_Bot

Most "non-hikers" find that 2 nights at the Grand Canyon is plenty. On your first full day, for example, you could drive to the Village, park the car somewhere, such as the Canyon View Information Plaza, walk across the street to Mather Point and take the nice easy stroll West along the Canyon Rim Trail toward the Village Historic District. This would be about 1.5-2 miles depending on how far you go. If you get to a point where you don't feel like walking any longer, hop on one of the free shuttles and take that back to your car or perhaps go further West out to the viewpoints along the Hermit's Rest Road.

Then on your way out of the park to your next destination, take Highway 64 along the East Rim/Desert View Drive towards Cameron AZ. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints along this scenic route, and they are all beautiful and different. The Desert View Watchtower is a must, whether you climb to the top or not, the building itself is cool and so is the view of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park, you'll be on Navajo Indian Lands. There are viewpoints you can stop at along this part of the route as well. At the Little Colorado River Gorge Overlook, they do charge a nominal "Tribal Park Entrance Fee." The Cameron Trading Post is a great place to stop, if not for just a bathroom break/look-see, for a meal at their on-site restaurant. Their Navajo Tacos are a local institution!

One exception to the "2 days tops for non-hikers" rule: if you do hang on to your 3 nights' hotel reservation, take one of those full days to do some type of guided tour that will "expand your horizons" beyond the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River Float Trip for example, will take you up to Page/Lake Powell Arizona by motorcoach bus where you would do a gentle smooth raft ride from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. The upgraded package, the Canyon River Adventure, includes a 50-minute fixed wing airplane flight from Tusayan to Page, a 4x4 tour of Antelope Slot Canyon, and the float from the Dam to Lees Ferry. Of course you could exchange one of your Grand Canyon nights for Page and just drive up there to do these activities.

Another popular day activity is the Inner Canyon Jeep Tour which goes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on the Diamond Creek Road. You would have to catch this one out of Williams or Flagstaff, but this is definitely an activity one should not try to replicate with a rental car. The Diamond Creek Road is unpaved and as such constitutes off-road driving. Any damage done to a rental car on unpaved roads, you would be liable for.

Forward to the 2:00 minute mark on this video for more information on these and other daytime activities ->: http://youtu.be/KhBHPTrK5ys

Hope that helps. Have fun!

Ozarksbill

My perspective as an oldster. And not hiking down the trail. Yes, two nights is long enough. Yes, the spectacular views of GC do vary according to time of day and location. But maybe you will enjoy just relaxing. And yes, Sedona is a nice place. If you are willing to drive you could go over to Peach Springs. Hualapai Reservation there plus you can get a jeep ride down to the Colorado R.