Grand Canyon South Rim

We were staying with family in Sun City (near the Phoenix airport) and drove in our rental vehicle the approximate 3.5 hour drive to the south entrance of the Grand Canyon. The park entrance was easy to find. Parking this year was $35/vehicle. I was skeptical going in, as several friends had this excursion on their "bucket list" while others simply raved. I worried I would be disappointed. However, the views absolutely spectacular! We self-guided/toured. We both experienced some vertigo and were careful to hang on to the railings provided, or sit on available benches as needed. Also bring water. With the high elevation, it is easier to get winded, and water helps. We did have a hiker in front of us fall a few times from experiencing vertigo,and with assistance from others were able to help him get off the stairs and onto level ground to sit down. He was embarrassed but grateful. It could (and does) happen to anyone. There were some areas that were roped off due to ice and snow and I was amazed how many people stupidly ignored the warnings and bypassed the barriers to get closer to the edge of the Canyon for selfies! Check the weather in advance and dress appropriately. The temperature was 30 degrees cooler in the Canyon than in the Phoenix area. There were many families present and some pushing young ones in strollers. On Feb 10, it was a chilly, windy, 40 degrees F. There are lots of signs at various points educating you on the history of rocks, the Colorado river running through the Canyon, etc., and a small museum you can enter about 1.5 hours into the walk. After our hike, we were exhausted and wind blown, and caught a shuttle back to the parking lot. Kudos to those who can manage to walk the entire thing. We didn't see everything the south side had to offer. In our vehicle, we exited the park from the east side and for some 50+ miles, still saw the Grand Canyon from out the driver's side window. There were several spots along the way to stop and take more photos. All in all, it was a physically and mentally stimulating journey that I highly recommend.

I took off my bandana and suddenly my eyes adjusted and I was in awe! I took an 8 day escorted tour of the Southwest in September. I have never seen the Grand Canyon but that day, I really saw it! Our tour guide gave everyone a bandana and we were told to wear it as we formed a conga-line through the gift shop out and to the edge of canyon. I was speechless and I couldn’t move, I just stared. You can’t describe it, it’s like nothing that I could ever imagine! Totally breathtaking! And it was the best travel experience of my year!!

Our second day in Sedona, we headed the 95 miles to the south rim of the Grand Canyon to check one more thing off our bucket list. The drive was about two hours as the first part had road construction and a section of 15 mph turns, but once you got thru that the roads were straight. My National Park Pass that I paid $10 for paid for itself as the car cost was $35. $20 if you had a 62 year old that has an American ID. Pictures do not do this place justice. We were told to visit Bryce Canyon and when I asked at the Visitor's Center, the man told me it was a 6 hour drive. The canyon is beyond believe. Made me nervous as you can actually stand on the edge to take pictures and selfies. We stayed with the railing areas. A family asked us to take their picture on the ledge and we did but there are too many crazy people that could push you off the ledge and kids have been known to break away from a parents hold and run. There are three stops by car. Grand Canyon Village, The Desert section and the main one. We went to all three. A train comes into Grand Canyon Village and you can get a shuttle to the other places. We drove our Jeep that we rented. Great day in a great place. We may plan a trip to the North Ridge in the future that includes Bryce. You can hike the ridge if you would like.

Unbelievable! EVERYONE MUST GO! As i approached my first cliff edge just before sunset, all i can say was this is un freakin believable! i was in aww. The sunset brought such a beautiful array of colors out of the canyon!
I applaud the accessibility for my mom in a wheelchair, so she can experience this land wonder too!
I highly recommend the Orange Route on the bus. It kept us busy for the day, getting off and on, with plenty of different viewpoints of the canyon. Views that never get old or tiring, never losing its aww, never disappoints. Every stop, i would look, take 3 steps and look again and every 3 steps the view changes, and seems better than 3 steps ago.
Dont deprive yourself of this great experience in the Great USA!

I would first like to thank the National Park Service. Our car entered the Grand Canyon free. My husband only had to show his drivers license which indicated he is a veteran. We were issued an America The Beautiful Pass which gives us free admission to The National Parks . (We then used it again in Page to access Lake Powell) We rented our car at PHX airport and drove to the South Rim entrance. I can’t comment on the drive really , it was pouring rain so I didn’t see much of anything and I’m sure it slowed us down . However upon our arrival the sky at the Grand Canyon was clearing and the sun was starting to peek out. We arrived at 4pm and started our drive along Desert View Drive . First stop Mather Point…there is a walkway there and you could spent a bit of time there. We made several more stops along Desert View Drive … Duck on a Rock , Grandview Point, Moran Point to name a few before arriving at Lipan Point for sunset ….it was perfect weather and perfect timing for sunset. The drive along Desert View took us 2 hours with several stops/path walking before reaching Lipan Point. There is so much to do and see if you want to hike, raft, mule ride etc but our drive along Desert View left me with drop dead gorgeous pictures, a feeling of awe and peacefulness and an experience that I recommend everyone have. There were no crowds and the weather was perfect which aided my experience . My experience was exactly what I wanted however I realize some desire more. Exiting Lipan Point we headed to Page AZ to continue our adventuring! Page was another 2 -2.5 hours from Lipan Point in total darkness. If you make the trip onward to Page know that there is only one place to stop for gas / food along the way and that is about an hour down the road.

My family took our first trip together to the Grand Canyon. We really enjoyed it. We stayed just outside the park so we got in early. We tried to beat the heat with an early morning hike and an evening hike. Both down into the canyon. We went 1.5 miles on each hike. Down and back was pretty easy for my two teens and I. To go 3 miles down you should be in pretty good shape because even 1.5 miles down was 1100 feet of elevation change. The views on the canyon trails are amazing.

Take camel packs full of water and the further you go the better your footwear needs to be. We also took the shuttles and they were very clean and convenient.

To miss the lines you have to arrive before 9:30 am which means you pay more to stay close by. If you can, it’s worth it.

Although I could recognize the majesty and beauty of the Grand Canyon, we ended up there on a wet, cold, foggy, rainy afternoon. (It wasn't supposed to rain until much later in the day, but that's Mother Nature) This certainly detracted from our views. However, as we were there we were determined to see something, although we couldn't see very deep into the canyon. First stop was the visitor center for some ranger suggestions and orientation maps to the Grand Canyon, which was celebrating it 100th anniversary year. Then a wet walk to Mather's Point for viewing whatever we could. We road the free shuttle bus over to Yavapai Geology Museum, which was interesting and informative about geological history of the area. And could have given us some great view points if it weren't for the rain. Will have to plan to try again on a better weather day.

I can’t imagine the canyon not looking beautiful. The colors are constantly changing due to the sun. This is definitely something one should see at least once in their lifetime. A few tips. Right now masks are required within the park, though I did see some without. It’s best to go early in the morning (by 9am) to avoid long lines at the main entrance, assure a parking spot, and avoid lots of people huddled at the viewpoints. Also, due to COVID the entrance fee is online only. If you haven’t purchased a pass online before you arrive the park employee will give you what you need to pay on their website after you enter the park. But be warned internet is not going to happen while you’re in the park. I can only imagine how many are not paying the fee and not once was I ever asked to show proof of payment.

Pictures don’t do it justice. We went to visit the south rim and walked along the trail. Many people show up earlier in the day, but I recommend going a couple of hours before the sunset. It’s a sight you wont want to miss.

I think I will need several visits to really enjoy this nature's master piece. I am not going to go in detail of the majesty of this wonder, people have been writing about it forever. simply put a must see before you go away.
for those who wants to visit it in a budget, here is what we spent 2 families of 3 each, $1500/family (Total $3000 Approx.). That included
Airfare MSP to LAS for 6 (spirit), Minivan for 8 days, 2 nights in LA, 4 Nights in Williams, AZ, 1 night in LV, gas, all meals and Hover dam.
On the way back to LV we took the longer route and made a stop to see Horse shoe band and Glen canyon Dam.
Let me know if we spent too much!