nycgirl1

Hi all! We're going to Vegas for 3 days in March, and trying to decide if we want to spend a full day doing a bus tour to Hoover Dam and the South Rim OR just renting a car and doing it ourselves.

Part of me doesn't want to be dictated by other people's schedules so renting a car sounds like the best way to go, but will we be missing out on much by not doing a professional tour?

any thoughts are much appreciated! I understand it's a 6 hour drive from Vegas to the South Rim...correct? We've been to Vegas multiple times but never to the Grand Canyon so we're a little clueless here. Thanks!!

boom_boom

Hi nycgirl1:
I'd do the driving myself. You can stop when and where you want and make side trips as you please. It is a good six hour drive round trip to the Canyon and I think you'll actually see more and find places of more interest if you do it yourself. The road are good...take US 93 down to Kingman and then take Old Route 66 that loops to the north and then back to I-40 at Seilgman. Then on to Williams on 40 before turning on State 64 for the park.
For something different, check on the train schedule for the Grand Canyon Railroad that goes from Williams into the Park. It's a fun ride. Coming back, if you don't mind the extra time, you can go through Bullhead City and into Laughlin, NV before cathing US 95 back up to Las Vegas. It will be a long day what ever you pick, but if you are behind the wheel you're in control. Enjoy.

gail

I am always for doing it on your own - but it would be a very long day trip and in March your daylight hours are not as long as one might want - some of those roads I might not want to drive after dark.

nycgirl1

hmm. I'm wondering if we just table this part of the trip for another time - it does sound like an awfully long day. I'm so torn because I really have a hard time with not having seen the Grand Canyon yet!

DeniceRG

You might want to consider going to Zion Nat'l Park instead. It's a beautiful place, and it's a bit closer than the Grand Canyon is. You drive east, through Mesquite, and then into Utah. I think it would take you about 3 hours to get there.

Zion is my favorite park!

Denice

TheWeasel

I wouldn't do the S. Rim as a daytrip no matter how much daylight there is.

<We've been to Vegas multiple times but never to the Grand Canyon>
<I'm so torn because I really have a hard time with not having seen the Grand Canyon yet!>

These 2 statements put together make for a pretty clear decision, IMO. Drive to the S. Rim and stay overnight instead of trying to do it one day. You've seen Vegas multiple times, take some time this trip to see the Grand Canyon and you won't regret it.

cwojo99

I have done the drive twice. It is a long day - but you can do it! I recommend it definately. Give yourself plenty of time for the drive and allow for a few hours at the canyon.

Also, you may want to consider packing a picnic lunch to have at the canyon.

Do not make the mistake of trying the West Rim - it is on the Hualapai Indian Nation Reserve - it is not as beautiful and IMHO was not worth it.

HCart

I would recommend doing it on your own. It will be a very long day but you will be able to dictate the pace and what you see, which I always prefer. However, some parts of the drive seem to stretch on forever.
I think weasel has given you good advice but it depends if you want to just "see" Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon or if you want to walk around and explore the two. If you want to explore the two you should really think about spending the night at/near the South Rim. Otherwise, you will be crunched for time (on your own or on the bus trip).

nycgirl1

Thanks for all the replies - we'll have to talk about this and see if we should save this for another trip or not. I'm now leaning towards just doing it as a day trip on our own and sucking it up - I figure we'll go back someday to truly explore, especially when/if we have little ones in tow.

utahtea

I personally, would also do it on my own.

If you do decide to go this trip, keep in mind that it can still snow in March in the Grand Canyon area, so I would check road and weather conditions before departing that day.

Also keep in mind that in March you are going to have about 13 hours from the begining of civil twilight to the end. That doesn't give you much time if you want to avoid driving after dark.

I'm with the Weasle, I'd spend the night.

DeniceRG's suggestion of going to Zion is an excellent one for a day trip. Also other good day trips would be Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area.

Utahtea

lmhornet

Take a tour. What is the point of putting youself through 6+ hours of driving when you can sit back and relax. If you've never been there before the odds are extremely high that you will just see the highlights in one day, which is exactly where ther tour will take you. You won't miss a thing and will save a lot of wear & tear.