Grand Canyon North or South for 2 days?
 

We are going to Las Vegas with friends in August and will have 2 days before our friends arrive to visit the Grand Canyon. We land very late in the night on Monday night in Las Vegas and will stay that night at an airport hotel and head to the Grand Canyon the next morning. Then we will spend Tuesday night and most of the day Wednesday, returning Wednesday night to Las Vegas. I found lodging for one night at Bright Angel Lodge or the Maswick Lodge on the South Rim which looks awesome, but the crowds in August are scaring me. There are Pioneer, Frontier, and motel rooms available on the North Rim. Given our limited time frame plus the fact that it will be August, should we go to the North or South Rim? And, which lodge would you stay in? Thanks!

If you want to sit and relax a bit along with your views, I'd choose North Rim. If you want more of the classic views you've seen in pictures, along with more to see and more choices for food, choose South Rim. There'll be 10 times as many people at South Rim, but they will be spread out quite a bit as well.

Personally, I'd probably choose North Rim, it'll be a bit cooler and less crowded, and you'll have plenty of heat and people in Vegas.

I liked the fact that I got to see south rim before north rim. it's really a different feel and south rim is closer to you. to be honest, even in cold weather the south rim will always be alot of people. i've been there in august and trust me, it's not that bad plus, if you've never seen the grand canyon before, you will be too busy being wowed for the crowds to bother you. north rim will be a bit farther of a drive and I say save it until after the south rim. also, stay at bright angel. the cabins are little but nice and is a short walk to the village rim (i mean yards away). Makes for a night evening walk - especially during a full moon. the canyon is amazing by moonlight.

The drive will be further, but I'd choose the North Rim for the same reasons - fewer people and cooler weather. Any of the accomodations will be fine.

Look at the web site for pictures of the different choices.

just to clarify, i like north rim a bit more than the south but i think it's because i got to see the south rim first and I think i like it more only because it's less crowded and more quiet. south rim views are a little more spectacular than the north though, IMHO, which is why I suggest south rim first.

I suggest that you not wait much longer to book reservations.

As far as I can tell two consecutive nights in one of the Xanterra lodges during the month of June are NOT available. None of the lodges has a vacancy for 2 nights during June that I could find.

TDhere are some commercial motels at Tusayan, but they fill up fast also.

the North Rim has a little more availablity later on in the year. But don't wait. You will not find a space if you do.

As for which rim to visit, my preference is for the South Rim if I want to see the canyon in more detail. There are more viewing points and the extent of the viewing areas is much longer.

The north rim is much more remote. The drive to it is through a ponderosa pine and aspen forest that is beautiful.

The only time the crowds bother me is at meal time. The cafeterias fill up and the lines are long.

If you want to escape the crowds, take the West Rim drive on the shuttle bus. Get off at the second stop and walk along the rim trail away from the primary viewing area. You will find more solitude that way.

Otherwise, I just look at the canyon and not the people.

We don't like crowds either. We went to the S. Rim in August and it really wasn't bad at all.

If it's the first visit to the Grand Canyon, I'd recommend the S. Rim.

Utahtea

Well, I was stupid and didn't book in our South Rim lodging so we're going to go to the North Rim. One question: is one night okay? We will really only have Tuesday afternoon/evening and Wednesday morning/afternoon at the Grand Canyon. Should we instead go to Zion National Park since it is closer to Vegas?

Do the North Rim. One night there is fine.

Zion is my favorite park ... it is absolutely breathtaking. And closer to Vegas, so you could enjoy more time in the area instead of on the road.

I would do Zion since it's closer and save GC for when you south rim first and have more time. Even though 1 night in north rim is enough, IMHO, it's just time better spent to go to somewhere closer and trust me, Zion is a great other option. It's one of my favorite spots in the Utah National Parks.

I have been to Zion, Bryce and the North Rim in the summertime.

Given your situation, I would definately go for Zion. If you are not inot hiking, I would even throw in a 1/2 day trip to Bryce. All this would still not add up to the car time for GC and back.

Don't get me wrong, we loved the North Rim and want to go back but with your time frame.....go for Zion.

With only one night, I also vote for Zion - much shorter drive and a beautiful park. Given the heat in August, a hike up the narrows will be refreshing.

Btw, I don't know that Vegas has "airport" hotels. The airport is so close to the strip, that every hotel is an airport hotel.

I love all the southwest parks. But I would recommend Zion if you are concerned about getting the most out of yout time - it is my very favorite National Park. However, there is nothing like seeing the South Rim Grand Canyon for your first glimpse of GC; it truly is, well...GRAND.
Consider drive times in your decision: 2 1/2 hrs from Las Vegas to Zion.
5 hrs. from Las Vegas to South Rim Grand Canyon.

I'll go ahead and throw in my vote for Zion with the amount of time you have.

Utahtea