vaddisonme wrote:We would be taking our car-go lite (kind of like a weekender shape) pulled by our Honda CRV. It pulled great on our 1500 mile trip home after we picked it up in Michigan, and we didn't have any problems on the arkansas and Kentucky hills. But I am wondering about huge hills and switchbacks and such ... are there any of those to get to the North side? Have you camped in the Mather campground, or do you stay outside the park? North rim? Is end of April too cold to go? We have a little ceramic heater, but would need electricity, I think, to run it.... and I don't think the campgrounds have electricity. (Maybe there would be way to run the heater off the battery???)
Hmmm. anyway.. suggestions for where to stay and any "don't miss" would be good. We are untouristyy types. and like to hike.... Thanks for any tips about handling the crowds would be great!
.
There are no real hills getting to the canyon and the road is stait and kind of boring. Then you are there. The north rim is more forest but a pretty strait shot, I have photo somewhere, I'll see if I can track them down. The north rim is a long way around from the south side, very long.
The crowds are much smaller at the north rim because it is so far around. The north rim is closed until Mid-May and is colder than the south rim.
At the south rim there are only a couple campgrounds, Mather and Desert View. If you want Mather, which is a fine campground in the middle of everything, you will need an reservation. It is always full. Desert View is the first come first serve campgound. No plugs. There are a couple campgounds just outside the park. Depends on how much you want to drive each day or ride the bus.
The only time you feel really crowded is at the village, avoid that and you will avoid the crowds.