Grand Canyon South Rim
 

We are going to be in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks and thought about going to the South Rim.

Has anyone done this from Vegas and was it worth the trip.

I thought my kids would like to see a Great wonder of the world.

Also, bus tour or do we rent a car?

Are you thinking of doing it as a day trip? It's about a 5 hour drive.

We started out in LV and ending up in Pheonix with some overnight stops (including GC) along the way.

WE were thinking about a day trip. It is 4 1/2 hours one way. Thought we would stop at Hoover Dam etc.

We could leave early and be at Grand Canyon by 1pm and spend afternoon there and drive back.

Is it too much in one day?

It's a LOT of driving for one day. The way out won't be so bad, but after a day outdoors, that five-hour drive back to Vegas through the desert will feel like an eternity. The lodges there are relaively inexpensive -- you could stay in the park for under $200, or just outside it even cheaper.

It IS worth going to the Canyon though, and Hoover Dam. A manmade wonder and a natural wonder, all in one day! :)

Mapquest calls it 4 hrs 48 min - and I think that is optimistic. If you plan on stopping at the Hoover Dam as well, obviously add time. That gives you a very short time at GC - and/or a drive back in the dark (and it is very dark in that part of the country)

If you do a bus tour, make sure it really goes to South Rim and not what they call West Rim, which is not even close to being as spectacular and will look nothing like the photos you have seen.