North of South rim at Grand Canyon ?
Apr 1st, 2016, 09:11 AM
#21
I agree with your decision to go to the north Rim. In August it will also be cooler.
You could not pay me enough to visit the south rim during August school holidays.
There is a few places to stop before and after the National Park. Jacob Lake Inn for baked goods and sandwiches, etc. Cliff Dwellers Lodge Restaurant is a great change from food service food inside the National Parks.
I popped into Cliff Dwellers during a road trip and enjoyed the Lee's Ferry area so much we made it an extra night's stop last year. There was a young condor hanging out near the Navajo Bridge. Try to hit it either early or late in the day, it's too hot to stop other wise.
Be sure to gas up on the Arizona side of the border as you enter from Utah.
Another place you may want to book a nights stay is in Kanab and visit Best Friends. If you get lucky there will be availability in their motel units. If your kids love animals, you won't regret visiting, but you can also just drive through.
You could not pay me enough to visit the south rim during August school holidays.
There is a few places to stop before and after the National Park. Jacob Lake Inn for baked goods and sandwiches, etc. Cliff Dwellers Lodge Restaurant is a great change from food service food inside the National Parks.
I popped into Cliff Dwellers during a road trip and enjoyed the Lee's Ferry area so much we made it an extra night's stop last year. There was a young condor hanging out near the Navajo Bridge. Try to hit it either early or late in the day, it's too hot to stop other wise.
Be sure to gas up on the Arizona side of the border as you enter from Utah.
Another place you may want to book a nights stay is in Kanab and visit Best Friends. If you get lucky there will be availability in their motel units. If your kids love animals, you won't regret visiting, but you can also just drive through.
Apr 1st, 2016, 09:16 AM
#22
Link for Cliff Dwellers for bookings (there is another restaurant nearer to Marble Canyon, which was closed due to fire so I didn't get to try it). If you want to get maximum time in the National Park, it is convenient if you are continuing east and not just returning back north.
http://leesferry.com/cliff-dwellers-lodge/
Link for Best Friends in Kanab. We stayed here between a night in Bryce and a night in North Rim.
http://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/vis...ry/places-stay
http://leesferry.com/cliff-dwellers-lodge/
Link for Best Friends in Kanab. We stayed here between a night in Bryce and a night in North Rim.
http://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/vis...ry/places-stay
Apr 2nd, 2016, 08:51 PM
#23
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That restaurant is at Marble Canyon
It has been rebuilt and is very clean and modern.
Well, too modern for us.
Thus I '2nd' mibg recommendation as it has an outdoor patio and petrified wood embedded in its wall
Also stop at Vermilion Cliffs restaurant (with a huge selection of bottle beers). The wooden log ceiling is original.
Vaga
It has been rebuilt and is very clean and modern.
Well, too modern for us.
Thus I '2nd' mibg recommendation as it has an outdoor patio and petrified wood embedded in its wall
Also stop at Vermilion Cliffs restaurant (with a huge selection of bottle beers). The wooden log ceiling is original.
Vaga
Apr 5th, 2016, 07:12 PM
#24
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Orebro2016,
The North Rim is wonderful. I hope you enjoy your visit. I wanted to share a bit about the overlooks and viewpoints one would expect to see there.
Near the lodge there are three main trails. Bright Angel Trail, Transept Canyon trail and the old bridle trail. Bright Angel goes out as far as it can and gives great all around views of the North Rim. Transept and the old bridle trail follow the rim out from either side of the lodge. You can spend a full day on those.
Not too far from the lodge is the trailhead for the North Kaibab trail. If you want to get a bit down into the canyon then head to Coconino point. With kids your age I'm not sure I would recommend you go further. It will give you a taste of the inner canyon.
Then you have the drive out to the Walhalla Peninsula. Going north you would hit Point Imperial. Going south you will eventually reach Cape Royal. Both of these are great and with stops at the other viewpoints along the way can be a full day. You'll want to walk out to Cape Royal for sure. There are also old Indian ruins to look at. One of my very favorite views from either rim is that at Roosevelt Point. Take the short hike out so you get the full canyon.
The North Rim is home to the Kaibab squirrel and it is fun to see them, though can be hard to find. The campfire programs at the campground seemed to be more child oriented than the programs at the lodge. Be sure to watch sunset from the patio.
The North Rim is wonderful. I hope you enjoy your visit. I wanted to share a bit about the overlooks and viewpoints one would expect to see there.
Near the lodge there are three main trails. Bright Angel Trail, Transept Canyon trail and the old bridle trail. Bright Angel goes out as far as it can and gives great all around views of the North Rim. Transept and the old bridle trail follow the rim out from either side of the lodge. You can spend a full day on those.
Not too far from the lodge is the trailhead for the North Kaibab trail. If you want to get a bit down into the canyon then head to Coconino point. With kids your age I'm not sure I would recommend you go further. It will give you a taste of the inner canyon.
Then you have the drive out to the Walhalla Peninsula. Going north you would hit Point Imperial. Going south you will eventually reach Cape Royal. Both of these are great and with stops at the other viewpoints along the way can be a full day. You'll want to walk out to Cape Royal for sure. There are also old Indian ruins to look at. One of my very favorite views from either rim is that at Roosevelt Point. Take the short hike out so you get the full canyon.
The North Rim is home to the Kaibab squirrel and it is fun to see them, though can be hard to find. The campfire programs at the campground seemed to be more child oriented than the programs at the lodge. Be sure to watch sunset from the patio.
Apr 8th, 2016, 10:21 AM
#25
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We are very much looking forward to our visit and everyones advice is greatly appreciated. I hope we made the right decision to choose the North Rim ! But the lodge at the Rim looks very nice and has such a good location. We are booked in at the Western Cabins with partial rim view,but if that actually means a rim view or not I do not know ! We will study all your suggestions for hikes abd probably look into a mule ride as well as that seems fun for the boys. And also plan a stop at Best Friends too. Does one actually get to meet and pet and cuddle with the animals or is the tour "just" a tour of the premises? And what is the weather like there in August? Too hot for a mid day visit?
Apr 8th, 2016, 09:35 PM
#26
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Best Friends - yes pet animals. MANY people volunteer to work there helping manage the animals. Ask for the free tour of an Indian Ruin and Hidden Lake that is really remarkable in this desert environment. Of course, you are welcome to adopt as many of these critters as you wish.
Don't forget a day/picnic as Pink Sand Dunes north of Kanab.
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, a hike into Peek-A-Boo slot canyon is easy and fun. Or hire one of the guide services to drive you there. ditto with White Pocket.
In Kanab, schedule a dinner/show at Little Hollywood Museum/Restaurant. Also tour Heritage House.
Grand Canyon hike - Higly recommend Cliffs Springs. The ancient storage ruin is about 80 yards off he road. CONTINUE another 1/2 mile (or so) to the alcove where water drips down much like Zion's Weeping Rock.
Remember: Sunset at Pt. Imperial.
Vaga
Don't forget a day/picnic as Pink Sand Dunes north of Kanab.
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, a hike into Peek-A-Boo slot canyon is easy and fun. Or hire one of the guide services to drive you there. ditto with White Pocket.
In Kanab, schedule a dinner/show at Little Hollywood Museum/Restaurant. Also tour Heritage House.
Grand Canyon hike - Higly recommend Cliffs Springs. The ancient storage ruin is about 80 yards off he road. CONTINUE another 1/2 mile (or so) to the alcove where water drips down much like Zion's Weeping Rock.
Remember: Sunset at Pt. Imperial.
Vaga
Apr 9th, 2016, 05:20 PM
#27
If you want to volunteer you can interact with animals but even on a tour you will get a chance to pet some cats or dogs. I loved my volunteer stint in one of the cat shelters, holding court surrounded by cats wanting a share of attention.
Typical highs are in the low 90s in August. But the tours are not walking tours, you will drive to whichever facility you tour.
BTW Best Friends has a good and inexpensive vegetarian buffet lunch most days (can't remember which day they are closed). We saw a Golden Eagle flyby from the deck!
Typical highs are in the low 90s in August. But the tours are not walking tours, you will drive to whichever facility you tour.
BTW Best Friends has a good and inexpensive vegetarian buffet lunch most days (can't remember which day they are closed). We saw a Golden Eagle flyby from the deck!
