spirobulldog

I wouldn't do any serious hiking by myself, if I were you. And if you do at least let someone know where you are going to be at and by what time. You are going at the time of year that heat won't be a big factor. Have you done much hiking before? The North Rim closes around Oct. 15th(give or take a day or two). Bryce, Zion, Page, Hoover Dam, Petrified Forest would all be worthy of other stops. Unless you are hiking, muling, or rafting(which any of them would be great) 1 or 2 days at the GC would do most folks.

maria_so

aranda, thanks for asking this question because I am now reminiscing on my first solo trip and it was just this and also around the same time! i flew in to phoenix and stayed a few nights in scottsdale. rented a car at the airport. it was a thursday when i got there so i went to the art walk in scottsdale (first thursdays of the month through october) had dinner at a sushi place nearby and called it a night. next day i did a hot air balloon flight with champagne breakfast in the morning, checked out scottsdale and the area. the thord day i did a day trip to the superstitious mountain amd did the apache trail and visited some old mining town, lakes, lost dutchman state park, a reataurant bar in the middle of nowhere called tortila flats area, and visited an old indian ruin called tonto cliff dwellings. i checked out the next morning and headed to sedona. stayed a couple of nights there. i did a hike at west fork, a riparian trail, swam/slid down slick rock state park, watched the sunset off of cathedral rock, checked out montezuma castle and well. after sedona, i headed to GC via 89a (gorgeous route), stopped at Flagstaff for lunch and was in GC right at sunset. it took my breath away. i remember seeing GC for the first time and I think I held my breath, it was that awesome. after some time, i made myself go check in. stayed at bright angel (el tovar was booked - (gc village lodgings book up a year in advance so book what you can NOW). i took the mule ride down to plateau point the next day (phantom ranch was booked). got back from the mule ride and sat at the rim with a hot cocoa (cold up there in October) with my headphones listening to opera and kept the sun company until it was gone then went to dinner, had drinks at the el tovar bar and chatted to some lovely people and retired to my room. to this day I can still remember the opera i eas listening to over and over again and this fantastic feeling i had just sitting there at the rim watching the sun set. ahhhhh.... headed back to phoenix the next day with a late flight home. absolutely THE BEST trip experience, one I will never forget and will relive over and over. When I met my now husband, I took him on that very same route because I wanted to share with him that very special trip. Go, you will NOT regret it! I wish I was going again but next time it will be to show my now 9 month old twin boys that very special trip.

Enjoy!

maria_so

wanted to add that since then, we've been all over the southwest. lake powell, monument valley, zion, bryce, moab, escalante, etc, etc....are all fantastic. what I'm saying is beware the southwest bug will bite and you won't be able to get rid of it. GC will only be the first... I envy you though. To see it all again anew would be GREAT!

aranda

I have been reading and rereading these post, taking notes, watching DVD's from the library and reading up on the Grand Canyon. However your posts were the most informative.

Thank you for the details of your trips, the tips, the information, and taking the time to post.

I am in the process of formulating my trip and will run the details by you all before I nail it down.

I have learned from your posts to include more than the Grand Canyon.

Any other thoughts I would welcome.

Many many thanks,
Aranda

spirobulldog

The Grand Canyon has the most initial "wow factor", but it actually my least favorite park. I like the Utah parks better. That said, you really can't go wrong with any of them. The wow factor at the other places certainly is amazing too though. Bryce initial view is pretty spectacular. While at Zion, the more you look at it the more you realize how amazing it is.

K_Bot

Hi Aranda - glad to hear that you've decided to go ahead with your solo trip plan! I think it will be a very special experience for you and the traveling companions who choose not to join you will regret their decision upon seeing your photos. As a woman who frequently travels alone, I can tell you that the American Southwest is a great place to rediscover oneself and reevaluate what's truly important to you (if so inclined).

Probably the thing to get going on, after deciding where to fly into, etc., is your Grand Canyon lodging. As the previous posters have correctly indicated, lodging there books up very quickly. In-park hotels are managed by Xanterra South Rim LLC who can be reached at www.grandcanyonlodges.com or 888-297-2757. If you choose to call, avoid doing so on the first of the month as that's when they open up reservations for the following year's mule rides and Phantom Ranch, it's nearly impossible to get through. If you can't stay inside the park, look at Tusayan (aka Grand Canyon Village South)which is just a short distance from the park gates. Then let the rest of your itinerary revolve and evolve around that.

If you like, here's a video that discusses 2 popular National Park Loop itineraries, one originating in Phoenix and one from Las Vegas ->: http://youtu.be/nTXrXvSYJ8w

panecott

aranda, I'm so glad you decided to go on your own. You've received some great advice here, and you will have a wonderful time.

I went solo to the GC two years ago. I flew from NY into Phoenix and rented a car at the airport. If you are nervous about renting a car, don't be. Arizona is a wonderful place to drive. The roads are scenic and traffic free. I don't particularly like driving, but in AZ it was a real pleasure.

The only place you'll encounter any traffic to speak of is within the city limits of Phoenix. But even there, the AZ drivers are very mellow -- no constantly changing lanes, no honking, etc. And once you are away from the city - about 40 minutes traveling north - it's smooth sailing all the way.

I'd recommend spending a few days in Sedona and about 2-3 at the GC. Sedona is beautifully scenic with its red rocks and has great hiking trails. Listen to MikeP's excellent suggestions, and definitely do the Pink Jeep Tour. Sedona is a pleasant drive from Phoenix.

If you have just a week, then I think Sedona and the GC would be about it. Driving up to the GC from Sedona, have a look around at Flagstaff.

I had about 12 days and also went to Page, about 2 hours north of the GC, where you can visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, where you can take a flatwater float trip down the river. From there I went to Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, and Winslow, with a brief stop at the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest area.

So if you heve even more time, there's plenty to see and do there.

Amy

This may be more time than you'd want to take, but I really enjoyed my Travel Dream West trip to Yellowstone/Rushmore (see http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...stward-who.cfm) and they have one for the "Canyonlands" here: http://www.traveldreamwest.com/canyo...rcle-tours.htm

For me--and I travel the world solo--the trip was a reasonable concession to necessity; I don't drive, and there was no way to get around in those parts without. It looks like you'd be okay with the Grand Canyon area, and you do have the option of driving, but just thought you might be interested in this as it's not going it completely alone.

Connie

A lot of people hike solo in the Grand Canyon---especially on Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails because they are heavily hiked. You will not be alone. Rangers patrol them also.

I don't know when you are coming but spring and fall are better because it isn't so hot.

aranda

Thank you everyone! I'm taking in all this info and will plan my trip based on what you all shared.

Aranda

Lauralei

Just want to add another option for flights. I am also planning a solo trip from the east coast to GC. I will be flying from Boston to St George Utah via Salt Lake City, on Delta. Deltas partner Sky West flies Salt Lake to St George, which is only a one hour drive to Zion National park. St George is a beautiful small city. I will be Also be visiting Monument valley, Canyon de Chelly, and Page Arizona. GC is about 5 hour drive from St George. I will be sacrificing Sedona with this choice, but I have been there twice. Will go there next trip. Just wanted to say that you don't have to fly into large cities like Vegas and Phoenix to do this trip. I'm also renting a car. This will be my longest solo trip yet. I think we are both going to have a blast!