grand canyon info needed

[Engineer Guy]

I recon'ed the North Rim area, and came to the same positive conclusions as the folks above. I had to 'stop short' during my last trip to Lake Powell, so I stayed at 'Lee's Ferry' N.E. of the GCNP Park proper. That was a really nice setting right on the CO River; very scenic.

Some recon tips to pass along are to 'fly over' the area using Google Earth. You can gain a lot of info that way, including size and setting of various Campgrounds. 'Trip Advisor', linked on the left of the Google Earth Webpage, has many down-to-Earth comments on Campground amenities; good/bad Food and prices thereof; and so on. The pic function 'Panoramio' on the Google Earth Webpage shows pix uplinked by Visitors, and gives a ground level view of different areas.

The lil 'x' icon reads out elevation at the Webpage bottom, so you can know what elevations and Topo changes you're in for, and/or crisp night sleeping conditions at higher elevations.

At the 'History & Almanac' section on the lower left side of this Webpage, you can put in dates from years prior to get some sense of Weather historically during a given time period...

Weather Underground ~ Grand Canyon National Park

Google Search Results ~ Grand Canyon

[nrody]

The Grand Canyon Caverns is a quirky side trip. Lots of old cars and a vintage motel to boot. A mini museum and a dinosauer or two.
The caverns tour is really interesting too!
Look for the petrified bob cat! in the cavern.
www.gccaverns.com

[john]

I Second TenX!

Close to the park, generous sites, nice, cheap, new bathrooms and nearly all sites are pull through.

It is first come first serve, so be there by 2pm at the latest during the week. 11am Fridays and weekends.

[Jim.M]

Don't count out Mather campground... on the spur of the moment last week I visited the recreation.gov website on Thursday, and was able to reserve a pull-through site for 3 nights.

This was over Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights).

Showers are 2.00 for 8 minutes; there's a laundromat at the campground as well.

We had a great time!

[mkitchen]

I go to the Canyon at least once a year and never get tired of the scenery. There is a privite campground in the town outside of the Canyon and it does have showers but little else that makes it comfortable. Ten X is a good choice as well but Mather does have opening so check them out too. If you have bicycles, bring them. it is by far the best way to see the area. If you are in good shape, you can ride out to Hermit's rest or even out to Desert View (a 50 mile ride, round trip). Desert View is one of the best views in the canyon.

If you have a high clearance vehicle, then travel out to see Bass Trailhead and Havasupai point. No folks and great views. They are about 30 miles, on fairly good dirt roads, from the park proper. Check out the El Tovar and even stop for lunch if you have the time and funds. It is somewhat costly but the food and service is worth it.

Some other spots in the area that I would recommend is going east toward Cameron and then south towards Flag and going through Wupatki ruins and Sunset Crater area, just north of Flag. There is a nice shady campground at Sunset. Walnut Canyon by Flag is a great spot to see as well. Flagstafff, itself, has a lot of nice things to see as well. It is a small college town that is very lively. Williams can be fun too. Touristy but friendly and fun. There is an indian jewelry store there that has quite a bit of my money.
Mikey

[pete42]

When we visited 5 years ago The Ranger at the entrance saw my handicapped sticker and ask if anyone was disabled handicapped I said me,
he then ask if I wanted a free Golden Eagle Passport and filled out the paper work while we and other cars waited, I was happy other drivers not so much.
The golden eagle passport has since been replace with another pass mine was free but they can be boughten.
I have used mine from coast to coast so far .
http://usparks.about.com/od/usnationalparks/p/park_passes.htm

pete

[Jim.M]

your golden access pass (the one for disabled folks) is now called America the Beautiful Access Pass and you get 50% off campground fees as well as other discounts.

[cherokeegeorge]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to get a map and start planning. We will probably only spend a day or two at the canyon. and then see other spot around the area.

[Jim.M]

This most recent weekend, Sunday had 30mph winds with 50-60mph gusts from early Sunday morning to late late Sunday night. Mather campground has a lot of big trees and we didn't feel much wind at all (although it was easily heard).

Don't know how protected the other campgrounds are.

Have a nice trip!