Sylvia

We are flying into Flagstaff and spending 4 days at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Would it be possible to take one day and do a trip to the North Rim and Bryce and Zion?
If yes, could we drive back to the South Rim that evening - is it a safe night drive?
Could someone tell me the driving distance and time for: Flagstaff to South Rim; South Rim to North Rim and Zion and Bryce?
Thank You

Dave

Approximate driving times:
Flagstaff - South Rim: 1:45-2:00 hours
South Rim - North Rim: about 5-5.5 hours

You could drive from South Rim to North Rim and back in a day, but I'm not sure what would be gained. The views of the canyon at the South Rim are more impressive; the main reason for visiting the North Rim is to relax in the higher, mountain/forest scenery, away from the crowds. By trying to drive South Rim-North Rim and back in one day you'd hardly be able to relax.

Adding Zion (not to mention Bryce) would absolutely move this out of the day-trip range.

If you want a change of scenery, perhaps consider the mountains near Flagstaff, or take a day to visit the Sedona Area?

Dave

PS: You didn't mention when your trip is scheduled, but the North Rim is usually not accessible until mid-May due to snow.

ron

sylvia - 4 days at the south rim! unless you're planning to camp on the canyon floor, i can't imagine spending more than 2 nights there. for my money, i'd spend 2 nights in bryce, 2 nights in zion. but, if you can't change plans, take dave's advice about sedona.

brian

I've said it before amd i'll say it again! one morning and 1 evening at the Grand canyon is more than enough> You see the different shades of light on the different rock formations and then it is time to move on. 4 days is way too much. Go see Sedona, the Meteor crater near flgstaff, Lake Powell and zion

phoenix

What snow at the north rim before tonight???

Sylvia

Thank You everyone one!! We arrive on a Friday afternoon in June and leave on Tuesday afternoon. Would it be better to spend just Friday night and all day Saturday at the South rim. Then drive up to the North rim on Sunday, spend the night and come back to the South rim on Monday? I don't want to do a north rim to Flagstaff drive on Tuesday, the day we need to fly out.
Or just stick with Sedona? By the way - where is Lake Powell and Zion (I thought Zion was close to the North Rim)?
Thank You

ALF

As mentioned above, the North Rim will not yield substantially different views than the South Rim. On the other hand, Bryce and Zion are certainly worth the drive around from the South Rim. Lake Powell is on the Colorado River, upstream from the Grand Canyon. If you are headed into southern Utah, you will cross the Colorado River on Route 89, just downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, which created Lake Powell (here is a map: http://www.americanparknetwork.com/p...s/zi_area2.jpg). Zion is about 2.5-3hrs from the North Rim. If I were you, I'd skip the North Rim, then drive straight to Zion. Spend a day there, the next day in Bryce, then head back to Flagstaff. Yes, its a bit of driving, but I think its worth it. If you do go to Bryce, I would suggest getting up and being on the canyon rim to watch the sunrise.

ALF

I would take the longish drive to Bryce and zion, taking a day at each, and skip the North Rim - as mentioned below, views are similar to the South Rim. Zion is 2.5-3 hrs from the North Rim. Lake Powell is on Route 89, upstream from the Grand Canyon - you will cross the Colorado just below Glen Canyon Dam, on Route 89, as you cross into southern Utah. Here is a map:
http://www.americanparknetwork.com/p...s/zi_area2.jpg

judith

sylvia dear, you asked for good advice and you got it. why not take it?

Don

Sylvia,
Is it your first time to the Canyon? You may find 4 days at the South Rim in the summer to be a long time. Do you enjoy crowds? I always go to the Canyon in the fall or spring so I can get some hiking in. If I went to in the summer I think I would plan on spending a night at the N. Rim. How about this:
Friday- drive & stay at Lake Powell
Saturday-drive & stay at the N. Rim
Sunday-enjoy the N. Rim and do some hiking, spend another night there.
Monday-drive to the S. Rim and spend the whole day there
Tuesday-drive from S. Rim back to Flagstaff.
Everybody else has offered great help, I just think 4 whole days in the summer at the s. rim would be hot and crowded. Have fun!