Planning a two month July and August trip, mostly based in Southern California (thanks to all who helped with suggestions for this).
Want to spend two weeks hopefully a week in mountains (Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear) and some time driving to/at Grand Canyon. Fancy North Rim but it sounds complicated to get there.
Any advice? Budget $300/night for 4 adults and 4 kids (15,15,10,9).
Have considered RV and campsites... once this is all planned and executed will post back with outcome!

ttt

For $300 a night you may have to camp. The lodges in the park are all pretty expensive. You have to book all the National Park Lodges through xanterra.com

If it were me I would take the I-10 and swing by Jerome/Sedona AZ and spend at least 1 night in the area. The Jerome Grand Hotel is reasonable, only ~$100 a night.

Getting to the North Rim isn't that big of a deal. I think you can find lodging under $300 a night unless you are wanting a suite in the El Tovar. Most of the lodging will run between 100-175 depending on which lodge and what the view is. Xantera does the south rim only. Forever Lodging is concessionaire for the North Rim.

You might be a little cooler on the North Rim for that time of year. Grand Canyon has the potential for some scorching temperatures then.

Since there is just 1 hotel at the north rim, make reservations.

8 people means several rooms to book. You can't get that many rooms at any lodge in the park for 300 dollars.

According to the website http://foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=181 they have cabins that will accomodate 8 in two cabins and will fit into your budget. Unless you own an RV, I doubt renting an RV will be cheaper, and think you'll be hard pressed to find an RV that would sleep 8 comfortably.

I meant to post this reply ages ago but it didn't appear!
Just to say that it is possible to stay in the park cheaply:
We are staying two nights (July 29/30) at Maswik Lodge for $86/night. The rooms have 2 queen beds and we asked for an extra bed in each room so the kids don't kick each other to death and this is possible so you can sleep 5. It seems a complete waste of money to spend a lot on a room when you are out all day.
If we'd booked a bit earlier we'd have got a room at the rim for the same price.
There were also rooms available at the North Rim Lodge for just over $100/night.
I think the key here is to book early!
Thanks for the advice everyone!I'll report back after the trip.

phidias1,

I have been attempting to get to the reservation page of the North Rim Lodge for Aug 13-15 but have not been able to. Do you have any other links?
Thanks.