I have never been to the Grand Canyon. Thinking about doing an April 2018 trip to Williams, Arizona. I know, I know, I have and will be looking at their website/tours but wanted to see what the collective has to say.

If we take the morning train from Williams to the rim, is it worth staying at El Tovar Hotel? Is there so much to do at the rim that you need an overnight? If we do stay overnight, is their a MORNING train back to Williams?

Do you need more than one day (train there in AM and back to Williams in PM) to do things at the Rim?

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

We did that a few years ago, but it was in November when they had the Polar Express night train ride. We all enjoyed it.

The El Tovar Hotel was very nice and the restaurant was very good. The night we stayed it happen to snow so the views were outstanding the next morning. There were also a small heard of Deer out front so the kids got a kick out of it. If I go back again I plan to stay there again.

We could have stayed longer and enjoyed it. I'd like to see a little more then we had time to that time.

Take the train if you want the train ride. It's cooling off this time of year.

There are cabins you can rent on the south rim, which are nice, especially in the winter. Fewer tourists.

As far as things to "do," it's the Grand Canyon. You go there to look, and to hike. Not a lot of activities to do. It's a big hole in the ground.

Stayed in Williams at the Hotel that the train leaves from. Had a good breakfast in the morning in their restaurant, jumped aboard the train and took it into the rim. Great ride in and back after a few days staying in the Maswick(sp?) Lodges browsing the canyon. What a treat, glad I made the trip. Seeing the canyon for the first time coming into the canyon with the train was absolutely amazing...that is for a native Floridian. Had a great vacation there, highly recommended. The train back from the canyon was a treat with their staged robbery on the train! Would love to possibly do it again if I can. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

I’ve been to Grand Canyon dozens of times. Never rode the train though.

I’d be surprised if you can book a room at El Tovar as it fills up fast. The mule rides, Phantom Ranch, are all booked solid by now, usually. The other lodges will have to do. They are not oppulent but adequate.

By all means enjoy the dining room at El Tovar. The steak house at Bright Angel is very good too.

You are going at a pretty good time. We always went the 3rd weekend of April, after the snow, but before it got hot.

Unless you in superb condition, resist the temptation to walk down to the river. It’s further than it sounds, and the return is all uphill! We learned to exclude from our group those who were not marathoners/triathletes. Even they can struggle. The last time I went, I didn’t make it out until about 11 pm., completely wasted.

The rim is nearly 8,000’ so you have a lot less oxygen to breathe. I cannot go there anymore.

I highly recommend taking the train. The only down side as mentioned is IF you can get a room at the canyon itself. Otherwise it's a limited visit.

Williams is a fun little town. Bearizona is just down the way, and the Deer Farm is also a quirky diversion. Flagstaff is only 30 miles away, if you need more to see/do.

Todd

BTT for the weekend crowd input. Thanks

As regards the hotel filling. We found it was booked as well. In speaking with a staff member he said last minute availability was pretty common due to cancelations. The donkey ride to the bottom though almost never opened up he said.

So, if you can't get reservations keep the above in mind if you have flexibility in your schedule. We were there in early May and could have gotten a room that day but didn't.