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Recommendations for the vegas / grand canyon area?
May 18, 2025, 12:04 PM
konata88Recommendations for the vegas / grand canyon area?
I won't be travelling but a friend from out of country will be visiting vegas. Would like to see the Grand Canyon (perhaps a day trip, maybe over night of seeing sights and maybe some light hiking).
1. Any recommendations for North or South Rim? I think South has generally more things to do / things to see but is more crowded. But easier to access than North Rim. Any recommendations between the two?
2. What else to see over a 3-4 days? I've got Zion, Bryce, Page (Antelope, Vermillion) as possibilities although the latter is lottery based and not likely. How about Coral Dunes, Red Cliffs, Snow Canyon, Cedar Breaks? Some nice sightseeing / light hiking places to showcase the majesty of US nature? Other recommendations in that general area?
Thanks!
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book May 18, 2025, 01:26 PM
ryan81986South Rim is busier but also more easy to access and has more amenities as you mentioned. For a first time visit it is more than adequate if not preferable due to the ease. Even during peak times it's so bad that I'd avoid it.
Sedona is only a couple hours south of the Grand Canyon, def worth the trip down if they have the time in their schedule.
May 18, 2025, 01:44 PM
YellowJacketWent out for spring break this year and had a phenomenal time. We were in and out of Phoenix and drove directly to Flagstaff day 1. Did Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, sunset Crater then drove up to Page and saw Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Highly recommend both of those. Then drive to Williams and rode the train up to the South Rim. Did portions of Bright Angel hike and Kaibab hike. Stayed at Kachina Lodge and had a great dinner at El Tovar. I highly recommend spending at least one night at the Canyon. It was really great. We left and went to Sedona for a couple of days before returning home via Phoenix. Tons of hiking in and around Sedona, pink jeep tours, and pretty good restaurants in town which is touristy but kinda cool.
If he likes to hike then a couple of days at the GC would be well spent. If not, could do an afternoon and evening and then head out the next morning.
I'm gonna vote for the funniest frog with the loudest croak on the highest log. May 18, 2025, 03:17 PM
NuclearEasier to get to the North Rim from Vegas, and easier to get to Zion, Bryce, etc from the North Rim area. Not as insanely crowded as the South Rim either.
I’d recommend Monument Valley if you are a fan of old westerns.
South Rim is closer to Sedona, Flagstaff and points south.
Driving between the North and South Rims is about 4 hours, as I remember.
May 19, 2025, 07:33 AM
Boat FunI just finished this trip in mid-April. Flew in and out of Vegas. Saw a show in Vegas then headed to Zion (about a two hour drive from Vegas) then on to Bryce (about another two hours). Spent one and a half days at each. We stayed at the lodge INSIDE each park. Highly recommend staying inside the park as you can walk to many trails plus the lodges are really nice. They book up well in advance but there are always cancellations so keep trying! Remember that during busy months you cannot drive the road to the canyon trails in Zion UNLESS you are staying at the lodge! Shuttle buses are free! Photos do no justice to the beauty of these parks! Go to the National Parks website for more information!
May 19, 2025, 08:53 AM
UTsigI'd say the North Rim, Zion, Bryce that'll eat up 4 days. I know you can drive from the trip you were on but can your friend do those distances. Also, depending when, it can be really hot, especially near Zion. They could go to the North Rim and go to Zion/Bryce through Page. That would probably add a day if they wanted to visit a slot canyon.
"Nature scares me" a quote by my friend Bob after a rough day at sea.
May 19, 2025, 09:57 AM
TMatsI prefer the North Rim to see those big ol’ “yellowbarks” (old growth Ponderosa pines), but you could do a lot worse than to follow YellowJacket’s recommendations. Take the train, stay overnight, ride back to Williams the next day.
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despite them
May 19, 2025, 10:02 AM
radiomanquote:
2. What else to see over a 3-4 days?
Hoover Dam
Zion -- the riverwalk and the Narrows. Then Walters Wiggles (don't continue to Angles Landing unless you are brave)
.
May 19, 2025, 10:16 AM
HRKPioneer Saloon Goodsprings NV Oldest NV Bar 1913, very cool, and decent hamburgers, ice cold beer. A touch of NV old west History
Link Pioneer Saloon Red Rock Canyon, best done in the late afternoon, take the 13 mile drive, stop off a few places.
Link Red RockHoover Dam, take the tour..
Link Hover Dam Dig This - On my list for the next visit - run a Bulldozer etc
Link Dig ThisSpeed Vegas - drive a supercar
Link Speed VegasPahrump - If you are interested in Old NV Brothel Heritage
Link - Heard of this, haven't been Fremont Street
Link Fremont St Pawn Stars Shop
Link Pawn Stars Counts Kustoms Car Museum
Link Counts Kustoms Trump Tower
Link Trump Tower Battlefield Vegas
Link Battlefield VegasMay 19, 2025, 10:52 AM
radiomanquote:
Hoover Dam, take the tour.
indeed, take the dam tour.
.
May 19, 2025, 11:10 AM
FenderBenderGrand Canyon west is close, and the tribe out there has a great setup. If they're iffy on the Sky walk it's fine to skip.
May 19, 2025, 11:25 AM
konata88Great! Thanks for the suggestions! I'll pass them on.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book May 19, 2025, 11:28 AM
konata88quote:
Originally posted by UTsig:
I'd say the North Rim, Zion, Bryce that'll eat up 4 days. I know you can drive from the trip you were on but can your friend do those distances. Also, depending when, it can be really hot, especially near Zion. They could go to the North Rim and go to Zion/Bryce through Page. That would probably add a day if they wanted to visit a slot canyon.
He's not used to driving long distances but maybe he can suck it up here. This may be a good way to spend 4 days unless he's interested in Sedona pink jeeps or something.
He'll be in a rental so not sure about airing up after the slot canyons but I'm sure he'd enjoy them.
I'll warm him about the heat - it'll be a new experience for him.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book May 19, 2025, 02:14 PM
HRKMost gps will route you down 93 from LV to Kingman then on 40 to the Canyon. FYI 93 is a 4 lane highway but it can be rough, riding back from Kingman last year on a motorcycle north, there were ruts in the middle of the riding lane that could swallow a cow!
Fairly boring straight road in the middle of nowhere.
A better road south is 95 then take 163 over the mountains, through Laughlin then 68 over to Kingman. Fantastic vistas on 163/68 run. It is a longer drive, but better roads.
Once he gets into Kingman have him go on the local streets because Rt 66 runs right though Kingman, they have a Museum, some interesting things on 66, diners, etc, vs getting right on 40, he can get back on I40 on the other side of town. Rt 66 is about as Americana as it gets out there...
It's not the Strip, but at least he can say he drove on Rt 66 when he gets back.
If he does than from Kingman drive up into the mountains West to Oatman AZ, old mining town and it's famous for the Oatman Burros. Its as true a old west mining experience as he'll find...
Link OatmanMay 19, 2025, 09:49 PM
Powers77I have done both rims of the canyon (and west rim) from Vegas.
I would recommend the North rim option then sampling Southern Utah.
To me it's not even a close call.
May 19, 2025, 10:02 PM
konata88Thanks. Yes, leaning that way. Just wasn't sure what south rim was like these days - haven't been in awhile.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book May 19, 2025, 10:02 PM
konata88quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Most gps will route you down 93 from LV to Kingman then on 40 to the Canyon. FYI 93 is a 4 lane highway but it can be rough, riding back from Kingman last year on a motorcycle north, there were ruts in the middle of the riding lane that could swallow a cow!
Fairly boring straight road in the middle of nowhere.
A better road south is 95 then take 163 over the mountains, through Laughlin then 68 over to Kingman. Fantastic vistas on 163/68 run. It is a longer drive, but better roads.
Once he gets into Kingman have him go on the local streets because Rt 66 runs right though Kingman, they have a Museum, some interesting things on 66, diners, etc, vs getting right on 40, he can get back on I40 on the other side of town. Rt 66 is about as Americana as it gets out there...
It's not the Strip, but at least he can say he drove on Rt 66 when he gets back.
If he does than from Kingman drive up into the mountains West to Oatman AZ, old mining town and it's famous for the Oatman Burros. Its as true a old west mining experience as he'll find...
Link Oatman
Looking this up.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book