Grand Canyon_How long to stay?
 

Hi
My family (including kids 12 and 16) will be in Prescott on business in late May. I would like to add a trip to the Grand Canyon at the end of this trip. Leaving Prescott in the morning, should we plan on a one or two night stay to view/enjoy the Grand Canyon? I'll be recovering from shoulder surgery and can't do the mules or rafting....just looking this time. Any suggestions on what to see, and how many nights to plan for? Thanks!

If you have two nights and one full day, I'd plan at least that amount of time. There are a lot of great overlooks to view. I like to walk along the rim and ride the free shuttle buses to all the different view points. This can easily take a full day. When you leave the Grand Canyon drive out to Desert View entrance station and stop at the many different views along this way. Also take the Hwy 395 loop road to Wupatki National Monument.

Utahtea

As usual, UtahTea's advice is excellent. The only thing I would add is that, if at ALL possible, you start a hike down the Bright Angel Trail until you START to feel tired or sore, and then turn back. Even if you give up after fifteen minutes of walking, you'll experience the Canyon in a way that 80% to 90% of visitors fail to do.

It took me a couple of hours to get from Prescott to the Canyon so part of one day is gone there. If you can take the time, I spend two nights. You definitely will not run out of things to see. Have water on hand.

mtnquest,

I agree with the others that you should plan to stay at least 2 nights. Also, it is a good thing you are not interested in the mules or rafting. Those activities are usually booked a year in advance.
((D))8-)

If all you do is stand at one spot and look into the Canyon, an hour is enough - but Iwould not recommend that short a stay.

I am not a hiker, muler, rafter and I hate heights. We spent 2 nights/2 days and it worked well. Two members of our family did about 1 mile of the Bright Angel Trail. There are 2 separate bus loops (don't panic, it is not like a bus tour!) that each offer at least 10 stops. Many are scenic overlooks and it is surprisingly how different the Canyon can look from vantage points even close together. There is also the option, at some stops, of walking along Rim and picking up bus at next stop - usually about 1/2 mile.

So I might leave Prescott late AM, try to get lodging at South Rim,, stay 2 nights and head out.

Wow! What great and fast advice! Thank you very much for the suggestions...I plan to take everyone's advice.
One more question....I could only find a room for one night at any Grand Canyon Park lodge. Can you make suggestions for out second night?
Thanks!

mtnquest,

Try Tusayan. It is just outside the south entrance to the park. Google it.
((D))8-)

Keep calling the reservation phone number and checking back on the website - even every day. Others here have reported great success catching a cancellation this way.

Don't know how much luck you might have with this, but when we went during the June time frame, we were able to get a room at El Tovar right in the South Rim. Surprisingly, it was so much more reasonably priced than I would have expected. Unfortunately, we didn't get to end up staying because we had to unexpectedly cut our trip short, but I would love the opportunity to go back.

We are presently at Peach Springs, AZ, (Elderhostel program) which is toward the west on the GC south rim. Having been at the east or Nat'l Park area recently, I would say that other than checking out the wonderful overlook views there isn't alot more to do except going down the trail on foot or pack animal.

But we came up from Prescott (which is itself an historic interesting place) to the Hualapai reservation in Peach Springs and from here one can more easily get down to the bottom plus learn about Indian culture. This is an entirely different area than the more popular eastern part which does likely have the more spectacular views. Well, maybe not.

ozarksbill
(from Hualapai tribal community center)
[email protected]

There is a Best Western just outside the park entrance that is very nice to stay at. There's also another hotel across the way, or just down the road, called the Canyon star with a great restaurant. As far as time goes, I spent 2 1/2 days there and that was enough time to see everything comfortably & do some extra exploring.