Thanks again for all your help. I will post a report when we come back!

I was at the Grand Canyon last July 3rd (Thurs) for the day from Las Vegas and the crowds were manageable. Don't know how crowded it was there the next day. Las Vegas was extremely crowded the 4th - will never go there again on a holiday. It takes hours just to drive down the strip.

Thank you blondiepopo, that reasure me about being in the Grand Canyon on the 4th of July.

Was there any fireworks or something special going on at the Grand Canyon on the 4th of July?

Sorry, don't know. We drove to the Canyon in one day from Vegas and came back on the 3rd. Vegas has really nice firewords from the top of Caesar's Palace.

I really don't think the park service will have fireworks in the park. You will have to settle for the beautiful sunsets;)

Utahtea

Thanks utahtea, the sunset and stars will most certainly be worth a thousand fireworks!

I have never been in the USA on the 4th of July. Are stores or other activities closed on that day?

I haven't been to the Grand Canyon on the 4th, but I would think most tourist places will be open both inside and outside the park.
They make more money that way! ;)

Utahtea

Just thought I would give a report on my trip.

We followed my itinerary except it was too hot to do the float trip so we skipped it.

This was a very relaxed trip. The Grand Canyon was exactly as I expected it would be. There was no fireworks on the 4th of July because of the extreme dry weather.

I found Lake Powell to be one of the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. Too bad it is poluted by all the boats.

Zion National Park was my favorite place. Magnificient mountains of redish colors. It made me think of the Canadian rockies except the mountains are of a different color. The narrows is well worth the trip. The kids had a great time tubing down the Virgin river (2 hours down the river...)

Although it was very hot everywhere we went (109F) we really enjoyed our vacation and had plenty of time to relax.