smccrary4

What is a good itinerary for 3 days/3 nights in the Grand Canyon area, coming from the Las Vegas airport? We are an active family, have never visited the Grand Canyon (or anywhere else in Arizona for that matter) and want to make the best use of our limited time.

don512

Will you be leaving Las Vegas early in the morning? And are you looking to spend the whole time within the park or just within the area?

utahtea

Day 1: Leave Las Vegas taking Hwy 93 down to Kingman, AZ. Take I-40 to Willams, AZ. Take Hwy 63 up to the Grand Canyon this is about 280 miles. Go visit the scenic overlooks. Spend the night at Grand Canyon.

Day 2: Ride the shuttle buses to Hermit's Rest and do some hiking along the rim.

Day 3: Get up VERY early and take Hwy 64 east to Cameron and stop at a few of the Grand Canyon overlooks. Take Hwy 89 north to Page, AZ and GLen Canyon National Recreational Area at Lake Powell. This is a beautiful drive! Keep on Hwy 89 to Mt. Carmel Junction and then take Hwy 9 into Zion National Park. If you have a 3rd night on the road, then spend it at Zion or nearby Springdale. Driving this day would be 253. If you have to spend the 3rd night in Las Vegas then keep driving it's 420 miles going this route from the Grand Canyon.

I'm hoping you can spend the 3rd night in Zion National Park and have time in the morning to ride the shuttle bus into the canyon.

Utahtea

smccrary4

We will leave Las Vegas early in the morning. We want to visit Hoover Dam either on our way out of Las Vegas or on our way back. We aren't necessarily looking to spend the whole time within the park if there are more desirable alternatives that are feasible within the 3 day time period.
Thanks!

utahtea

You can drive the 280 miles there and then drive the same way back. You will pass the Hoover Dam coming & going.

You could make a stop at Sedona which is south of Flagstaff for a side trip or you could go to Laughlin, Nevada.

I'm not sure what you want.

Utahtea

smccrary4

We're not really sure yet either - still at the planning stages. Thanks for your advice though - its very helpful!

dgarland

We made the drive a couple of years ago and we took a stretch of the old Highway 66. I think it's the longest stretch still in existence of that highway. It went through lots of neat old towns and we loved it. Lots of ice cream shops and mom and pop diners. I think the kids would love it, and Mom and Dad too!

freespirit61

Last spring I drove from the vegas airport stopped at the hoover dam-what a site and then went to the Grand Canyon. We stayed at the Best Western near the south entrance for 2 nites. We hiked part of the Bright Angel trail-pretty scarry with kids- that is why we only hiked part, and took the shuttle to explore the other areas. We also went to Sedona. The kids were bored with Sedona but on the way to Sedona is Slide Rock State Park. The park has slippery rocks with very cold water and the kids slid down these rocks into pools of water. It was awesome!! The Grand Canyon can only be experienced by seeing it in person. If you do this trip in the summer you may also enter via the north entrance which is just as awesome. There are National Park Lodges at the north and south entrance and if you can, stay in one of them. There is nothing like waking up and looking at this great country and nature.