Grand Canyon - to stay in or out of park?
Jun 17th, 2003, 09:55 PM
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Grand Canyon - to stay in or out of park?
Hi. We're planning a trip next April to the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks. We'll be flying into Vegas and renting a car. We'll be staying at the GC for two nights. Any strong feelings about whether it's best to get lodging in or just outside the park? I've seen a few posts here re staying at the Best Western just outside the park - how was it? Thank you in advance.
Jun 18th, 2003, 04:41 AM
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I have strong feelings about staying in the park. In addition to being closer to the Canyon, the experience of staying in Grand Canyon Village is a neat one. In the evenings, after the departure of the many day trippers, there's almost a 'small town' feel to the place, with a very international flavor. Although there are quite a few lodging choices outside the park, they're all pretty generic and kind of bland.
Jun 18th, 2003, 05:01 AM
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We stayed outside the park our first trip, but inside the next one and that is the way to go, most definitely! It's great to get up in the morning and be right there, not to have to get into the car, drive to the park, get in line to get through the gates etc, and wonderful at the end of the day to walk back to your place, not to get into your car and drive back out to a generic motel. In the evening in the park you'll share paths with small herds of deer as you walk back from your restaurants...deer so used to seeing people that they really don't pay much attention to you. Lodging inside the park is reasonable as well, and as far in advance as you are planning, hopefully you will be successful in getting reservations wherever you want.
Jun 18th, 2003, 05:08 AM
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We just did nearly the same trip. In all 3 parks, we stayed right in the park, and I would highly recommend it, especially at GC. We stayed at Bright Angel, which was a few hundred feet from the rim, and only $59 a night. The room was very simple and almost 1940's feeling, but clean and quiet. The only park I would consider staying outside was Zion, just because the Springdale motels were almost at the park entrance. Both Bryce and Zion park lodging was identical - fairly new, spacious rooms with private balconies.
Jun 18th, 2003, 05:16 AM
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Do a search here for a plethora of info and opinions.
On our first visit, we stayed outside the park at the Red Feather Lodge. The next time, we got a wonderful canyon view room at El Tovar. It was wonderful having our morning coffee on our patio (shared with one other room)and having bfst in the dining room. Its definitely worth the extra money to stay in the park. However, we only spent two days, one night there.
Jun 18th, 2003, 07:09 AM
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Hi mic
We stayed in the park. At the Thunderbird, it was costly for the room but I would do it again. Great view and Right There! No where else in the world can you get that view. IMHO it is worth the $$$. I do not know if I would stay if I could not get a view. You can stay in a best western anywhere.
Have Fun
GP
We stayed in the park. At the Thunderbird, it was costly for the room but I would do it again. Great view and Right There! No where else in the world can you get that view. IMHO it is worth the $$$. I do not know if I would stay if I could not get a view. You can stay in a best western anywhere.
Have Fun
GP
Jun 18th, 2003, 01:40 PM
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Being on a bus tour I remember the road to the canyon as long and boring. If you can (money-wise) it's better to be in the park. And I think it would be easier to walk back to your hotel or take a park shuttle instead of driving.
Jun 18th, 2003, 03:42 PM
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Since you're going to Zion and Bryce, you'll want to consider the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. In this case, there is no choice but to stay at the lodge there. The next nearest accomodations are some 40 miles away.
Jun 18th, 2003, 04:10 PM
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Definetly inside! You have plenty of time to be able to get a room inside the park, so why would you want to waste time driving to and from? I have yet to stay in a national park that it wasn't much better to stay within the park. Room may be more basic inside but the convenience is well worth it.
Jun 18th, 2003, 04:25 PM
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This past spring we stayed at Kachina lodge. Rooms were fine, not anything fancy but like a basic lower end motel chain (think motel 6)next door on one side was El Tovar and on the other was Bight Angel,about a 2 minute walk to each. The location was fabulous. I booked mine 8 months ahead of time and at that point there were only like 2 rooms available. If you are goin to book, do it now. Don't stay outside the park, you will be sorry.
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