njs

We(2 of us) are driving from Vegas to Grandcanyon on
a Thurday(early morning) in August. We hope to check in into a
Hotel in Williams, AZ by 1 pm Thursday.

We would like to know what would be the ideal itirenary
for us.
Our main interests are photography(and video).
We are not much interested in very tiring hikes.

We will remain in the area until Saturday afternoon, when we have to begin our drive
back to Vegas, to catch a flight for the east coast on Sunday noon.

I would like to know the ideal Grand Canyon area itirenary so that I can reserve
hotel rooms at the right place.

utahtea

I would suggest staying either in the park at the S. Rim or at Tusayan which is right out side the park entrance.

Williams, AZ is 60 miles one way to the S. Rim and will take a little over an hour of driving time each time you want to come and go. Over the three days that will save you well over 7 hours of time and that's if you only make one trip in per day! If you want to get sunrise and sunset pictures then you will be driving to and from the hotel in the dark.

I would spend your time walking along the rim in places and riding the shuttle bus to Hermits Rest, stopping at all the scenic overlooks. You will want to drive your vehicle to Desert View entrance on the east side of the S. Rim and stop along all the scenic overlooks. You don't need to do a lot of hiking to see and photograph the Grand Canyon.

Utahtea

kkj

Are you taking the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams to the Canyon? I assume that this is the reason that you are staying in Williams. If so, you are going to have a big chunk of two days going to and from Williams to the Canyon. You'll have to leave your car in Williams.

If you are not taking the train then do not stay in Williams, go straight to the Canyon. Williams is nothing except a place to take the train. With the short amount of time you have, I wouldn't waste any of it in Williams.

If you are planning on staying in the Canyon at the South Rim, you may be too late for reservations. August is a busy time for families to visit the canyon. You may have to stay at someplace in Tusayon (the entrance to the Canyon).

Also, if you plan on staying on the Strip on Saturday night you will find that many hotels have requirements that you have a room on Friday night as well. If you don't care about the Strip this shouldn't be a problem.

njs

Thanks.
So do you think I should change the itirenary so that..

1. we arrive at Grand canyon at 1pm on Thursday, checkin into some hotel near the Canyon.
2. Do some Canyon Sightseeing (and go to the west side)and watch the sunset. After Sunset, go to IMAX.
3. Friday morning check out of the hotel, watch the sunrise and visit the east side.
4. Friday noon begin drive towards Zion national Park. Reach Zion by 6pm.
Stay in a hotel.
5. Saturday morning checkout of the hotel and do some sightseeing in Zion.
6. Saturday evening 4 pm begin drive towards Vegas.

Is this practical? Or too hectic?
Will it give me sufficient time to visit all attractions on southrim and Zion?
Where(hotel) should I stay near Zion?

Thanks!!

andypsmith

Hello

we stayed at the desert Pearl at Springdale last year - very good also gets a lot of good reports on the boards at Fodors.

The springdale shuttle system worked very well (this was in high season - maybe a little slower this time of year?) you can reach all of the sights from this excellent free service.

utahtea

njs,

That's really not a bad plan at all. You are only adding a 140 miles of very scenic miles by going by Zion instead of doubling back to Vegas on I-40 & Hwy 98 which can be kind of a boring drive.

The drive to Zion is very scenic! You will pass by Lake Powell which will be worth stopping. You might plan on having lunch or an early dinner at the Wahweap Marina with has a very good view of the lake.

Just so you know. Las Vegas to S. Rim is about a 5 hour drive. From S. Rim to Zion is another 5 1/4 hour but that doesn't count stopping at the scenic overlooks as you exit the Grand Canyon or stopping at Lake Powell. It's about a 3 hour drive from Zion back to Las Vegas.

Take plenty of film....you're going to need it! Also, if you are going to stop at all three parks, you might want to by a National Park Pass for $50.

Utahtea

zootsi

Even if you are not into serious hiking, you should at least do a half hour or so on the Bright Angel or South Kabob trails. You will get a totally different view of the canyon as you start your descent, especially if you are into photography. The Bright Angel trail in particular is not very physically demanding for the first few hours (unless it's mid afternoon and very hot!)