Advice & Tips On Visiting The Grand Canyon

[HacheMan]

No fellas, I'm not talking about your wife or girlfriend's private area.

@)

But seriously, looking to take my 2 kids and clueless.

Have flown over many times on trips to & from Vegas, but never been.

What's the nearest airport and how far is it?

Where should i stay?

I'm assuming there are many guided tours offered.
Are they privately run or all affiliated with the park?

Will you see enough in one day you'll be ready to get out of there?

Much appreciated guys (<)< :toast:

 

[Biggins]

There is no close airport I suggest you fly into Phoenix rent a car drive the three hours to Grand Canyon stay a couple nights which is all you really need. Then drive to Sedona hike the trails a couple few days it’s really nice there. Then drive to Laughlin Nevada enjoy the Colorado river then drive to Las Vegas and fly home.

 

[KennyB]

I took a helicopter tour from Vegas to the West Rim over Memorial Day Weekend where we landed at a small airport at the Canyon and got to walk on the glass skywalk. It was very cool and of course you fly into the canyon in the helicopter. I paid extra for a tour guide to get me on the skywalk through the exit and cut the two hour line. It was about 8 hours from the time I got picked up at Caesars until I was dropped back off at Caesars. They drive you about 30 minutes outside of town to a small airport. The company was 5Star Helicopter Tours and I highly recommend them.

 

[festeringZit]

When I did the Bright Angel Trail a couple years ago, we flew into Las Vegas and drove from there to the South Rim.

How old are your kids? Are you spending overnight at the bottom? Look to get reservations at Phantom Ranch (at the bottom).

At the top, we stayed in Maswik lodge, not far from the trail head.

https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/

 

[festeringZit]

When I did the Bright Angel Trail a couple years ago, we flew into Las Vegas and drove from there to the South Rim.

How old are your kids? Are you spending overnight at the bottom? Look to get reservations at Phantom Ranch (at the bottom).

At the top, we stayed in Maswik lodge, not far from the trail head.

https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/

We did the Bright Angel trail to Phantom Ranch and back in one day, which is highly discouraged unless you are an great shape. It's 22+ miles with 10K feet of elevation change.
If I was to take my wife and/or kids, I'd do rim -> Phantom Ranch and spend a night or two down there, and then take a day to hike out.

 

[5teamparlay]

Just went in March with my 2 kids !!


I took the Grand Canyon Railway in and out.

good experience!!

Went from
Scottsdale


then Headed to Vegas

 

[REDEYE]

Grand Canyon is worth visiting... Its more of a out of way destination , hiking isn't as good there unless you want to go extreme. Views are great..

A better destination with more options is Zion Nat Park. Awsome hiking ( my avatar is Angels Landing ) , several different types of climbs , reasonable lodging options with locations not that far away.. Best park in the country as far as I'm concerned

 

[festeringZit]

Grand Canyon is worth visiting... Its more of a out of way destination , hiking isn't as good there unless you want to go extreme. Views are great..

A better destination with more options is Zion Nat Park. Awsome hiking ( my avatar is Angels Landing ) , several different types of climbs , reasonable lodging options with locations not that far away.. Best park in the country as far as I'm concerned

Did Angel's Landing last year... scary hike - people fall off that trail and die almost every year. I wouldn't want to take any family members, as I would be
too stressed out that they might slip and fall off the trail.

But agreed, Zion is amazing. We did Bryce Canyon National Park on the same trip, and that was equally amazing.

 

[REDEYE]

Did Angel's Landing last year... scary hike - people fall off that trail and die almost every year. I wouldn't want to take any family members, as I would be
too stressed out that they might slip and fall off the trail.

But agreed, Zion is amazing. We did Bryce Canyon National Park on the same trip, and that was equally amazing.

It is scary. Done it at least a dozen times. Halfway up where the climbing starts , you have to be all in. First time , the anxiety will get to you. I froze for a minute that first time ..

You can't be fucking around on those ledges. Slipping and falling are big concerns. I wouldn't take a family member unless their schooled somewhat with strenuous hikes and have their head on straight at same time.

Bryce is great too. You hike down to the bottom and its like another world from there.. Got caught in a monsoon up there a couple of years ago.. It was like walking in mud

 

[festeringZit]

It is scary. Done it at least a dozen times. Halfway up where the climbing starts , you have to be all in. First time , the anxiety will get to you. I froze for a minute that first time ..

You can't be fucking around on those ledges. Slipping and falling are big concerns. I wouldn't take a family member unless their schooled somewhat with strenuous hikes and have their head on straight at same time.

Bryce is great too. You hike down to the bottom and its like another world from there.. Got caught in a monsoon up there a couple of years ago.. It was like walking in mud

Yeah, I remember when I got to that 1/2 way point at Angel's Landing, I started to tell my buddies that I didn't want to do it, as I have somewhat of a fear of heights. They talked me into
continuing, and I'm glad I did it. But, shit - there are some places where one step in the wrong direction, and you are going to be dropping to the bottom of the canyon.

 

[REDEYE]

those switchbacks are brutal.... best to be in shape for those , especially with the altitude.