Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, February
#1
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Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, February
We are taking a trip to Las Vegas in February and would like to rent a car to drive out to the Grand Canyon, stay over night & head back to Vegas for late flight out the next day (10:30 pm). We've been to Vegas and know what to expect there, but I have no idea where to begin for the Grand Canyon trip.
We are looking for route recommendations, where to go at the Grand Canyon and any recommendations on where to stay. What should we not miss when are out there?
Also, we are big craft beer drinkers so any recommendations on that front in Vegas or beyond are welcomed as well!
We are looking for route recommendations, where to go at the Grand Canyon and any recommendations on where to stay. What should we not miss when are out there?
Also, we are big craft beer drinkers so any recommendations on that front in Vegas or beyond are welcomed as well!
#2
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In February the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be closed to cars so your only option will be the South Rim. If you can get lodging in the park that would be the best. The South rim is at about 7,000 feet and is open year round but It's going to be cold and you could even have snow this time of the year which could temporary close the roads.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/winter-visits.htm
Utahtea
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/winter-visits.htm
Utahtea
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What utahtea said, I've never had trouble getting lodging in the park. elTovar is the nicest, and priciest, but Thunderbird, Kachina and Bright Angel are also just steps from the rim and any of these would be my first choice. I would check the bathroom situation at Bright angel as some rooms share. If the rim lodges are full, Yavapai and Mastic are just a short walk back from the rim and I would make a reservation with one of them and keep calling as people do make plans a year ahead and then cancel when they find they can't make it.
As for weather, we had sunny in the fifties once in February and snow one April, you never know.
As for weather, we had sunny in the fifties once in February and snow one April, you never know.
#4
Where is your flight originating coming into LAS?
The flight might be delayed or even cancelled if there is a snowstorm elsewhere.
The earlier in the day you can get to Las Vegas and into your rental car the better.
If you can't make it to the South Rim by sunset, stay at the Hacienda hotel/casino which is about 2 miles from Hoover Dam.
Plan on a stop at the dam either on the way or coming back from the South Rim.
The flight might be delayed or even cancelled if there is a snowstorm elsewhere.
The earlier in the day you can get to Las Vegas and into your rental car the better.
If you can't make it to the South Rim by sunset, stay at the Hacienda hotel/casino which is about 2 miles from Hoover Dam.
Plan on a stop at the dam either on the way or coming back from the South Rim.
#6
dusk and dawn are the best times to view the canyon. If I remember correctly it was about a 5 hour drive but we stopped for lunch in Selegman? Nothing to write home about. It is an easy drive but nothing except winter desert. Sort of blah to me. Enjoy the canyon, it is one of a kind.
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Thank you all for your responses!
We are from Boston, so very used to cold & snow. We are going to be in Vegas for two days before we head to the Canyon & will be spending our last night there before heading back to Vegas.
We are from Boston, so very used to cold & snow. We are going to be in Vegas for two days before we head to the Canyon & will be spending our last night there before heading back to Vegas.
#8
>Also, we are big craft beer drinkers so any recommendations on that front in Vegas or beyond are welcomed as well!
Can't help you on Vegas but the hotel bars at the South Rim, in El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik all have a small selection of craft beer on tap,. This includes some from the Grand Canyon Brewing Company in Williams, Arizona. I tend to like dark, malty beers and would gravitate to their Starry Night Stout, which was decent.
http://www.grandcanyonbrewery.com/site/
The also have good old Fat Tire on tap, from my home town of Fort Collins, Colorado.
But my favorite Arizona beers to date come from the Papago Brewing Company, which is in Scottsdale. I think you can find their beers around Arizona, though some are only available at the brewpub. After trying them at the pub, I was able to find some styles at a Whole Foods in Tucson. These were the Orange Blossom Ale and the Coconut Joe Stout, which both sound weird but were incredibly drinkable.
It would be worth giving them a shout to see if any are available along your intended route.
http://papagobrewing.com/
Good luck and have a great trip.
Can't help you on Vegas but the hotel bars at the South Rim, in El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik all have a small selection of craft beer on tap,. This includes some from the Grand Canyon Brewing Company in Williams, Arizona. I tend to like dark, malty beers and would gravitate to their Starry Night Stout, which was decent.
http://www.grandcanyonbrewery.com/site/
The also have good old Fat Tire on tap, from my home town of Fort Collins, Colorado.
But my favorite Arizona beers to date come from the Papago Brewing Company, which is in Scottsdale. I think you can find their beers around Arizona, though some are only available at the brewpub. After trying them at the pub, I was able to find some styles at a Whole Foods in Tucson. These were the Orange Blossom Ale and the Coconut Joe Stout, which both sound weird but were incredibly drinkable.
It would be worth giving them a shout to see if any are available along your intended route.
http://papagobrewing.com/
Good luck and have a great trip.