roamer

My husband and I will be going to a wedding in Tucson the end of March, and we would like to drive from there to the Grand Canyon. We don't knows where to start with planning. North Rim or South Rim? What about accommodations? We are fairly active seniors, enjoy walking but not hiking over rugged terrain.
Any help from this always helpful forum would be greatly appreciated.

spirobulldog

North Rim will be closed until mid-may(it is open, but really it isn't). On South Rim-El Tovar is the most luxurious, Bright Angel Cabin directly on the rim is nice as well. Maybe eat a meal in El Tovar. I would hike a short ways into the canyon, if it isn't icy. Maybe take a helicopter tour from the south rim airport. If you are really daring, take a mule ride on the rim, or down into it.

spirobulldog

What about Saquaro National Park. Have you been there?

Sara

You will not be able to go to the North Rim in late March; because it is a higher terrain, it gets a lot more snow, and the road leading to it is not usually open until early May. I think you're better off going to the South Rim, anyway - I've not been to the North Rim, only the South, but I understand the views are more spectacular at the South Rim, as you're looking across the canyon at the higher walls of the North side. It's a much shorter drive from Tucson, too. As for hiking, there is a really nice, flat trail that goes along the rim of the canyon for quite a distance, and much of it is paved. I don't know about going down any of the trails that go into the canyon in March, they might have snow and ice on them then, but I expect others can advise you on that.

Do try to get accommodations inside the park, if possible. Make reservations now - you can always cancel if your plans change. Tusayan is the town just outside the south park entrance, and they have a number of chain motels, but it's at least a 20 minute drive from there to the canyon. You're much better off staying in Grand Canyon Village if you can. When we were there a few years ago we stayed at the Maswick Lodge, as that was the only reservation we could get. It was okay, but is about 1/4 mile from the canyon edge, so try for lodging that is next to the canyon, if you can get it. You can read about the various lodging options at the Xanterra web site: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/Lod...rview-411.html.

roamer

Thank you, spirobulldog and Sara for the information. We definitely will plan to stay in the park. We have been to Saguaro Nztional Park - later in the spring, I think, when it was blooming.