Grand Canyon From Phoenix
Jul 25th, 2016, 03:03 PM
#1
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Grand Canyon From Phoenix
Planning an early October trip to the Grand Canyon. We will be flying into Phoenix because my husband works there. We will have 3 nights max. So we need to prioritize what to see. Traveling as a family with kids 11 & 13yrs old. Moderate hiking is OK not looking for hardcore hiking or camping. We don't have experience rafting but would consider that if it isn't too insane. Basically open to suggestions for activities, must see/do items and lodging suggestions. Curious to see if anyone has taken the railway into the park. Thanks!
Jul 25th, 2016, 03:14 PM
#2
I have taken the train into the park, with NYC friends for lunch at El Tovar and a stroll along the rim, then back to Williams and on to Flagstaff where we'd rented a house for our group stay. If you don't feel you need a car while you're in the park then it's a nice trip. And if you find accommodations are full-up in the park for your dates, then staying in Williams and taking the train one day would work. Or as we did, stay in Flagstaff, a very nice college town with decent restaurants.
Jul 26th, 2016, 07:35 AM
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Skip the train and drive yourself to the Grand Canyon. The train will only give you about 3 hours in the park and you will only get to see a couple of viewpoints.
You really do need a car, otherwise, you will miss almost all the viewpoints along the east rim drive.
If at all possible, book a room inside the park or, at the very least, in Tusayan, just outside the south entrance. Staying in Williams or Flagstaff is a terrible idea, IMO, because you would be looking at driving an hour (Williams) to 1 1/2 hours (Flag) each way. And you would miss seeing the canyon at sunrise and sunset.
Here are links to lodging inside the park. If anything is available, jump on it. If nothing is available, book something refundable in Tusayan and keep checking and calling the in-park lodging, because thee are frequent cancellations.
5 lodges http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
Yavapai Lodge http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/yavapai-lodge
You really do need a car, otherwise, you will miss almost all the viewpoints along the east rim drive.
If at all possible, book a room inside the park or, at the very least, in Tusayan, just outside the south entrance. Staying in Williams or Flagstaff is a terrible idea, IMO, because you would be looking at driving an hour (Williams) to 1 1/2 hours (Flag) each way. And you would miss seeing the canyon at sunrise and sunset.
Here are links to lodging inside the park. If anything is available, jump on it. If nothing is available, book something refundable in Tusayan and keep checking and calling the in-park lodging, because thee are frequent cancellations.
5 lodges http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
Yavapai Lodge http://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/yavapai-lodge
Jul 26th, 2016, 07:41 AM
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Forgot to mention -- since you will have 3 nights, add at least one night in Sedona. In fact, since you are not big on hiking, perhaps one night at the GC will be sufficient, if you can leave Phoenix early enough on the first day.
Another reason for having a car -- leave the GCNP through the east entrance. If you haven't already seen viewpoints along the east rim drive, stop at least at Lipan, Grand View, and Desert View (my favorite first view of the canyon). When you reach 89, turn north and have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post (order the Navajo taco). Then head back south on 89 and turn into the road that leads to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater, both worthwhile visiting. The road will lead you back to 89, just take that south to I-40 west, to I-17 south, and take 89a through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona.
Another reason for having a car -- leave the GCNP through the east entrance. If you haven't already seen viewpoints along the east rim drive, stop at least at Lipan, Grand View, and Desert View (my favorite first view of the canyon). When you reach 89, turn north and have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post (order the Navajo taco). Then head back south on 89 and turn into the road that leads to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater, both worthwhile visiting. The road will lead you back to 89, just take that south to I-40 west, to I-17 south, and take 89a through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona.
Jul 26th, 2016, 07:55 AM
#6
"Staying in Williams or Flagstaff is a terrible idea..."
I don't understand the seeming need, rather pitiful IMO, to denigrate other posters' suggestions rather than just adding to the discussion with what very well may be better ideas. The OP asked about the train and I answered.
I've stayed at El Tovar and, on the visit I mentioned, in Flagstaff. Whether during, before or after their GC visit, Flagstaff is a great town and definitely not a terrible idea. I spent most a year there not long ago and enjoyed it immensely. My suggestion was as an alternative if park lodgings were full. Obviously, options in the park would be ideal, if available.
I don't understand the seeming need, rather pitiful IMO, to denigrate other posters' suggestions rather than just adding to the discussion with what very well may be better ideas. The OP asked about the train and I answered.
I've stayed at El Tovar and, on the visit I mentioned, in Flagstaff. Whether during, before or after their GC visit, Flagstaff is a great town and definitely not a terrible idea. I spent most a year there not long ago and enjoyed it immensely. My suggestion was as an alternative if park lodgings were full. Obviously, options in the park would be ideal, if available.
Jul 26th, 2016, 07:55 AM
#7
I would also split the time with a night at the GC and 2 in Sedona. Spend the night at the Grand Canyon. Keep checking for cancellations. We planned our trip pretty much short notice and was able to get in at the Rim.
Jul 26th, 2016, 08:11 AM
#8
I've also stayed in Sedona with friends and visited from Flagstaff. I prefer staying in Flag. Sedona is beautiful, no doubt about it, but I much prefer the ambiance of Flag, a very nice 45 minute drive through Oak Creek Canyon.
Since the distances aren't great, a night in each location would not be out of the question, especially if you'll return to Phoenix.
Since the distances aren't great, a night in each location would not be out of the question, especially if you'll return to Phoenix.
Jul 26th, 2016, 08:59 AM
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MmePerdue, I'm sorry you felt like I was attacking you, because I was not. Yes, I did say that, in my opinion, staying in Flagstaff for the purpose of visiting the Grand Canyon is a bad idea, for the reasons I mentioned -- 3 hours of driving daily, plus missing sunrise and sunset (unless you want to be faced with possibly encountering large animals on the road by driving at night). Flag is a great town, just not if your objective is to see the Grand Canyon. Certainly, Flag IS an option but, because of distance from the GC, staying in Tusayan (15 minutes from the rim) or at the Cameron Trading Post (30 minutes from the rim) would be MUCH more convenient than Flagstaff (90 minutes from the rim).
Now, if the OP was interested in merely doing a day trip to the GC, that would be different. Flagstaff would be a good base for that -- better than Williams because Flag is a great town with a lot to do.
Now, if the OP was interested in merely doing a day trip to the GC, that would be different. Flagstaff would be a good base for that -- better than Williams because Flag is a great town with a lot to do.
