Is the grand canyon worthwhile?
 

My wife and I are travelling to Tucson in March and are considering whether it is worthwhile to drive up to the canyon. We have hiked extensively in the Canyonlands area of Utah in addition to Bryce and Zion. Is this view of the Colorado worth the 4 hour drive. Thanks in advance, Craig

I would highly recommend visiting the Grand Canyon. I have also been to Bryce, Zion, and Canyonlands and enjoyed all of them, but I thought the Grand Canyon was more spectacular and impressive. If you go make sure you not only take the route through the south entrance but also drive to dessert view. If you have time I would stay at least one night in the park if you can still get reservations to fully enjoy the sights. Driving there and returning to Tucson in one day wouldn't leave you much time to see anything. The only thing I'm not sure about is what the weather might be like in March. Hopefully other posters can advise you.

Yes. There is no place else like it. But please stay at least one night.

I'm sure I'll be posting the lone dissenting view here, but personally, I feel it is not worth the drive when you've been to the other places you mentioned. My daughter and I drove up from Sedona (two hours), stayed a couple of hours, and were ready to leave when the time came. I realize we would have enjoyed the experience more if we'd hiked, etc., but the time we spent was just fine for us.

As Yogi Berra said, that place is so crowded that hardly anyone goes there any more. In March you have only the South Rim to consider. Going below the rim is quite a challenge, but if you are physically fit, a trip of 2 hours down and probably 4 hours back might be worth the effort.

I think my enjoyment was enhanced by taking a geologic map and trying to identify all the rock formations.
At one time I had them memorized!
Not now, it has been too long.

Some people see the Empire State and say, it's just another tall building.
Some people go to Paris and say it's just a busy city.
Some people see the Golden Gate Bridge and say it's just a way to get from one side to another.
Some people look out from the Alps and say, it's just a big hill.
No one can say if the Grand Canyon is worth it to you.

zurichhasbean,

Did you go to the Green River Overlook at Canyonlands National Park? Did you like the view? If so, you will like the Grand Canyon. Similar, but different enought to make the drive but only if you are going to spend at least one night out on the road. It's 340 miles from Tucson to the Grand Canyon and I wouldn't want to drive that round trip in one day.

Now the only thing that would keep me from making the drive would be the weather. You can get snow in March at the Grand Canyon. I would watch the weather forcast before I drove up.

BTW, you don't see much of the Colorado River, but more of the erosion it has done over millions of years;)

Utahtea

Patrick has a very good point. If you agree with those who think a trip to Venice is a waste of time, don't bother going to the Grand Canyon.

I was with a tour group that took in Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion and The Grand Canyon. of these places the Grand Canyon was the only one I wouldn't return to, but hey that is just me. I guess it depends on what you plan to do otherwise. I agree the views at canyonlands are a bit like the Grand Canyon, although I enjoyed the views at canyonlands much better.
I guess it depends on what you had planned otherwise.

The Grand Canyon is one of those things one just must see in their lifetime. I also agree that it was not as impressive to me as Zion and Bryce, but that is not a reason to pass it by. You might want to take one of the shorter hikes below the rim from South Rim (husband and son did Bright Angel - there are marked turn-around points at 1.5 and 2.5 miles and ion March should not have to face crowds).

I think snow might make the Grand Canyon more majestic - the colors just did not rival those in Utah.

To fully experience the canyon,you really need to hike to the bottom. This is not to say the view from the top is not worth it,it is spectacular! But the hike down really gives you the feeling that this is a special place and there is NOTHING else like it in the world.

I'm with doc - you have to get IN the Grand Canyon to really be awed by it, in my opinion. We did the Grand Canyon on a circle trip, starting with Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and finally GC. I was underwhelmed by my first view of CG - we had seen such amazing scenery all week. But we rode the mules down and once you get just a little bit below the rim you can fully appreciate its scope, vastness, beauty, etc. If you're not planning on doing at least a bit of a walk down, you might not find it worthwhile. There are full day mule rides that don't have an overnight - this is a great way to see a lot. We stayed overnight at Phantom Ranch and the trip was one of the most unique and amazing things we've ever done.

I think the reason the GC does not impress some people as much as the other sights the SW has to offer is that it is TOO famous. Everyone has seen pictures of the Canyon, it has been featured in movies, travel shows, etc. Peoples expectations get pumped up to the point they almost expect an out of body experience. In contrast, the other jewels of the SW are not known to everyone and thus generate more than their fair share of awe upon first sight. This is not to say they are not breathtaking, only that IMO the Grand Canyon stands alone. When visiting (And I highly recommend that you do) try to forget the modern world around you. Pretend that you have not seen 50 million pictures of the Canyon. Perhaps it is 1540 and you have been searching for gold with Coronado. Imagine what it must have been like to stumble upon this place! Enjoy your trip.

I have to admit that having been born in Arizona and spent a few years there , I still have not seen the Grand Canyon. And I would love to.
Saturday, flying home from Las Vegas, we went over the Grand Canyon and I am always amazed and awed by the sight. I think if there is a chance to see it, one should.

If you have to ask, you don't want to go there.

Personally, I have seen it twice, from two different sides, stayed overnight once, and have been awestruck both times. I am sure that the areas you have described are beautiful, but the Canyon is simply awesome.

Yes! Yes! Yes! One poster said that it is something one should do at least once in a lifetime. I totally agree. My initial view of the Canyon brought tears to my eyes. It is absolutely wonderful. Pictures do not do it justice. The colors are spectacular and looking down into the Colorado River is awesome.