I'm thinking of taking a 1/2 day mule ride at either Bryce or North Rim. Has anybody done this, what is it like, and do you recomment one over the other? Is the ride in Grand Canyon really scary and steep? I don't have any particular fear of heights, just don't know if I have confidence in the animals.

Lena,
Please don't take offense, I really am not being a rude post. But, this topic has recently been discussed.
If you enter Bryce Canyon in the search box, you will find plenty of posts. Some will give you information about mule/horseback rides at Bryce & Zion. Do the same for the Grand Canyon, o.k.?

I take offense and I am not Lena. I asked this question myself awhile back and didn't get any answers. Search doesn't always work!!! So if someone ask a question, either answer or don't!!

I'll answer, even if its been answered already. We did the half day mule ride at the northern rim and it was wonderful. I am absolutely petrified about everything, hate to have my feet off the ground, thought for sure that all of us would tumble down that giant abyss never to be heard from again. I'll admit it, I am a dope. We (Husband, two daughters approx 12 and 9 at the time) took the trip. When it was over, I wished we had done the full day instead. The mules are very very sure-footed, and the paths are wide enough that there is no issue of falling off; and while you are doing it, it doesn't really seem to be that steep. It was great fun, one of the highlights of our trip. The other great thing was sitting at night on the deck looking up at the stars and actually tracking the satellites as they circle the globe. The only thing I regret about the north rim was not staying long enough, and being such a weeny that I was too frightened to go on the nighttime stargazing walking tour, as I was too afraid I'd stumble in the dark and fall into the abyss -- I hadn't seen the place in the light and didnt' realize there was plenty of room to walk on the paths without being near the edge. Please don't make fun of me -- I've learned my lesson -- coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Barbara,
My family is staying at the North Rim next month.
I, too, am sooo fearful of heights! (Actually, I think you and I are a lot alike I "make myself" do things, just because! Anyway, it's good to hear you say you would have done the night time stargazing tour. I have considered it, but thought, How can we be sure no one will fall, trip, etc.? My sons have each bought new flashlights, especially to use at the Grand Canyon. If you can do the mule ride, then I can do the stargazing night walking tour!!
Lena, my family has reservations from Ruby's Inn to do a 2 hr. horseback tour of Red Canyon, which is just west of Bryce. They have horseback rides from inside Bryce also. If you are going this summer, you may want to make some advance reservations, if at all possible.

Have fun. It is a wonderful place. MY husband did the stargazing tour while my daughters and I shivered with fear in our cabin. When he came back, alive, he said it was breathtaking, something that should not have been missed, and perfectly safe (although you cannot see anything on the ground because there is no light). My conception of the grand canyon before seeing it was that there is a giant hole in the ground and you walk right along the rim. NOT!! Don't worry. Be sure to have dinner in the lodge -- its wonderful (need advance reservations) and then walk out on the deck, sit in the chairs and watch the shooting stars and satellites circle overhead. Its something I will never forget.

Not trying to be mean, but this question was asked just last month. Perhaps you didn't do the search correctly. I just typed in the words North Rim of Grand Canyon and got the information right away.

I also tried looking under Arizona, but it didn't work nearly as well.

Have a fun trip.

why do you need to point out again that the question was already asked and answered. why can't they just enjoy the chat without the search instruction

Thanks again Barbara.
I'm just waiting for May 15th to make our reservations for an early dinner at the lodge, so that we can take the night tour afterward.
It's fun to talk with someone who's been there, done that.
I've been planning this trip for months now, and it's "finally almost" here!
Have a great day!

Bryce anyone????

Tricia:

You don't need to wait to May 15 to make dinner reservations. They started taking reservations last week. Six weeks until our family's trip--we can't wait, either.

Thanks Neil!
I called the lodge @the N Rim and made my dinner reservations.
They told me they opened a week early this year (normally it's the 15th of May).
BTW, my vacation starts in six weeks also. We're staying in a Western cabin. I'm more excited than the kids!
Tricia

I am so jealous -- our arizona trip was the best family vacation we've taken -- sedona, north rim, lake powell, back to sedona. Each leg was breathtakingly beautiful and so much fun for all of us. I'd go back in a minute