Grand Canyon
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Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
First of all, there is a reason why the Grand Canyon is called the Grand Canyon. As the crow flies it is about 10 miles across from the North Rim to the South Rim, hiking plan on 21-24 miles across (depending on the route you take) and driving is 220 miles / 354 km by car.
If you are planning on visiting other National Parks on your trip in the US think about the $80 annual parks pass. The Grand Canyon is $25, Zion is $25 and Bryce Canyon is $25, Death Valley is $20 so if you plan on hitting those 4 parks you have paid for it and saved money!! This also gets you into some of the state parks- like Red Rocks right outside of Vegas!
There is a so-called Canyon Hostel, but this is located in Flagstaff, 1.5 hours from the canyon. It may be worthwhile to stay there or somewhere else at Flagstaff, and make the shorter trip to the park from Flagstaff, rather than making the long trip from Vegas.
The 277 miles of the Grand Canyon can easily be divided up into three tourist areas- the west rim, south rim and north rim.
WEST RIM: The West Rim is much closer to Vegas, about 2.5 hours I think. From the pictures I've seen it does not look as impressive as the South Rim, but couchsurfers I've had have told me they liked it. This is the option to take if you don't have very much time and HAVE to see the canyon. Some things to keep in mind ~ This is where the skywalk is. It will cost you between $50 and $75 MINIMUM depending on if you want to walk on the skywalk. You CAN'T take your camera on the skywalk. ~ There is a rough 14 mile dirt road- not recommended for low clearance vehicles. ~ I used to be a tour guide out to the West rim of the canyon and it is still a long day and if you can afford one more day it is worth it to try to get to the South or North rim. The road was really rough and there were minimal services- there may be more now that there is the skywalk
SOUTH RIM: Driving from Vegas to the South Rim will take you about 4-4.5 hours, about 275 miles away. Cities you will be heading through that may offer accomodations are Williams, Tussayan and you aren't going to be too far from Flagstaff which will offer the most choices.
This will take you a little bit longer to get to but WELL worth it. There are plenty of hikes, tons of viewpoints, easy to get to, services, tourist friendly. It will cost you $25 to get into the park and that will last you 7 days and if you choose to go to both the North and South rim it will be valid there as well. It is crowded in the summer. Reservations for camping in the park or hotels are highly recommended. There are only a few hosts in the GC area. If you have the time you might check out Flagstaff as well for accommodations but it is a bit out of your way from Vegas.
Check out the National Park systems website for info: [[1]NPS] For camping reservations: National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at [[2]reservations] Mather campground is the South Rim campground.
Spend at least one night there, so you can see both a sunrise and a sunset over the canyon. You will also want to go down into the canyon at least a bit, either on foot or on mule. There is plenty to do at the South Rim, so staying a few days would be even better. One or two people a year fall over the edge of the canyon, which affords them the distinction of a notable death. You should try to avoid doing this.
Because of the drive going there and coming back in one day is not ideal, since you will spend more time on the road than you will enjoying the canyon. But if you don't have the time to stay there overnight then this might be a good enough option.
NORTH RIM: Driving from Vegas to the North Rim will take you about 5 hours- it is about 283 miles away. It is closed from mid October to mid May due to road closures and snow. The North Rim is 1000 ft higher than the South Rim and much more secluded and quieter. Less tourists visit the North Rim.
HIKES: DO NOT hike to the bottom and back in a day!!! It is dangerous and people have died doing this. DO NOT go down to the bottom without a reservation hoping to camp or stay at Phantom ranch. They will send you back up.
SOUTH RIM ~ There are two trails to the bottom of the canyon. DO NOT hike to the bottom and back in a day!!! If you can get a place at Phantom Ranch (dorms, cabins) or at Bright Angel campground and are in good shape and ready for a big hike up the next day book it in advance. There is information on the nps website for Phantom ranch and backcountry camping. ~The South Kaibab trail offers NO water and NO shade. It is about 8 miles down to the bottom. I have only hiked on this trail once. The mules use it and it can be stinky. If you hike at all on this trail don't go too far, and make sure you have enough water for your way up as well. ~The Bright Angel Trail is very popular and there are plenty of people on it. There is water, rest areas and shade about a mile and 1/2 down, 3 miles down and 5 miles down. Be smart, drink lots of water, make sure to replace your salts when hiking since you will loose a lot with sweat. Wear a hat, sturdy shoes, and light cotton clothes. Cotton is better in the dessert in the summer- get wet and you will stay cool- the quick dry stuff doesn't keep you as cool and the cotton will dry out and make a natural air conditioner if you find yourself in the summer heat. Your sweat evaporates quick enough that you don't need the quick dry clothes. ~ Hiking down is almost harder- you have all this energy to go down and it is harder to gauge how hard it will be to go back up. A mile down may take you 1/2 the time it does to go back up. Be smart about how far you can go. If you are a conditioned hiker and ready for a good day hike I would head to Indian Garden Campground and back up in the same day- about 10 miles roundtrip. It's a long day but worth it if you are outdoorsy :)
NORTH RIM ~There is one trail to the bottom. The North Kaibab trail. It is 14 miles to the bottom. Some great day hikes are to Coconino Overlook (1.5 down or so), Supai tunnel (2?? miles down) or the first bridge- 3?? miles down. Roaring Spings (5?? miles down) Sorry I don't have the exact mileage. ~There is water at the tunnel and Roaring Springs
PHANTOM RANCH ~ I have hiked across the Grand Canyon once and been to the bottom twice. Here were my iteneraries: First time: Day one: Hiked down South Kaibab trail and slept at Phantom Ranch in the dorms. I wish I had left earlier and enjoyed the bottom of the canyon more- there are other hikes to do, ranger talks, a nice stream. Day two: I hiked up from the bottom early in the morning up Bright Angel trail
Second time: Day one: Hiked down North Kaibab trail to Cottonwood camp- 7 miles down. Spent one night there Day two: Hiked to Bright Angel campground. It was 99 degrees there at night- hard to sleep :( Day three: Had the entire day to explore the bottom of the canyon, did two other hikes, relaxed in the creek, read, tried to stay cool Day four: Hiked up Bright Angel to the south rim. I was supposed to spend one more night at Indian Garden but chose to skip my last night, was hiking at a good pace and really wanted a shower, a hot dog and a cherry coke :)
I do hope to do a rim to rim hike in a day- although I don't recommend it for everyone people do it. These are experienced hikers and understand the risks involved. Be smart about your fitness level.
TOROWEAP POINT: If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle or high clearance (I amazingly did it in my civic- I was crazy) It is a 60 mile dirt road, no fees, NO services, no water. But an amazing 3000 ft cliff overlooking the Grand Canyon. I loved it out there. Google it and be smart about heading out there.
TOURS: Renting a car and gathering some other friends/CSers is a great way to do it and not spend all day in a van to and from the canyon. If you have the money the helicopter rides could be cool!
Sweetours - $105, located near the M&M store on the Strip, recommended by Anna
