Here's the story.. we have family in TUS that we're going to visit in March. We thought that on the way, it might be nice to incorporate a little side-trip to the Grand Canyon since neither my wife nor I have been there. We're planning on a week total, so we're thinking 2 nights near Grand Canyon and the rest of the time near TUS where the family is.

What we need to figure out is 1) where to stay so that seeing the canyon for 2 days will be easy (we like to do little hikes and such) and 2) where we should fly originally (Flagstaff? Las Vegas?). We'll drive or fly to TUS from there when we're done sightseeing around the canyon, depending on the prices.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

The drive is fairly interesting though it is long. Flying isn't much more convenient than driving. The best place to stay is on the south rim where there are a half-dozen hotels by the visitor center. They are all run by the same company (which has the contract from the park service), so the price variation reflects differences in style and quality of the accomodation. The next tier are outside the park (on private land), and these motels are cheaper but 60 miles away (so not convenient at all; on the luxury hotels thread I thought you were asking about these rather than hotels in the park). Lots of info on the web to help you choose, see for example http://www.grandcanyon.com/hotels.html or the NYTimes http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui.../overview.html

Do the steam train journey from Williams, search the web for a link.
Cool 4 kids (and adults...)

You may want to consider a package with the Grand Canyon Railroad. The train leaves Williams, AZ in the morning and arrives around lunch-time. Stay the night in one of the lodges number_6 has already referenced or check http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/ , and return via the train the following afternoon. GCRR can make the arrangements for you, or you can do it yourself. (Friends tell me that AAA has good rates, as well.)

It's been a while, but you can add BOS-PHX-FLG to your airfare for not much more than BOS-PHX; that would be your closest airport. However, driving can be more convenient as PHX has more rental car companies to choose from with "better" rates.

PHX to Williams, AZ is 180 miles and, I believe, the South Rim is another 2-hours. For an additional 2-hour drive, you could fly directly into TUS and not have any type of drop-off fee for the rental car; there are no scheduled flights between TUS and the Grand Canyon.

Remember that the Grand Canyon will still be cold in March at it is 5000' or so at the Rim. Expect any kind of weather, and you'll be covered. Services will also be limited as this is a low season.

Enjoy your trip to AZ!

We just returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon and Tucson. I suggest flying into PHX, probably cheaper than Tucson or Flagstaff. Drive north making sure you get off the interstate south of Flagstaff and tour Sedona. The mountains are unbelievable. My wife says she enjoyed Sedona more than the Canyon. I disagree, but they were beautiful. Contact the Grand Canyon Railroad at www.thetrain.com. They run an excursion train from Williams AZ. (30 miles from Flagstaff) to the Canyon. It is 65 miles, a 2 1/2 hour trip. If you do it, make sure you get seats in the dome car, the scenery is fantastic. They have various packages that include food, lodging, tours, and the train. I think it is a great way to get to the park without all the hassle of having to park your car. You certainly don't need a car in the park as there are free shuttles to take you around. After you take the train back to Williams, it will be about a five hour trip to Tucson.

The lodging at the rim can fill-up pretty quickly so try to make reservations as far in advance as possible. Even in March they can fill up.

The nearest alternatives are in Tusayan, a few miles to the south. Last time I went to the Grand Canyon was during the month of March and even though the rim lodging was booked I was able to get a motel room in Tusayan on one day's notice.

If you are fit, enjoy hiking and want a little bigger challenge, I highly encourage hiking to the bottom of the canyon and camping or staying at Phantom Ranch. I made the hike several times when I lived in AZ, and it was unforgettable.

I never stayed at the ranch (always camped), but heard good things about it.

http://www.kaibab.org/tr972/gx972501.htm

The hike down is relatively easy, the hike back up is more difficult, but any reasonably fit person who is careful to carry enough water and the right clothing can do it.

I'd recommend hiking as well... since you are spending two nights around it..
make sure you view the grand canyon during different times of the day..
especially in the sunset and sunrise lights.. amazing views..

A footnote to the hike to the bottom recommendation. Probably not for you if anyone in the family is acrophobic. I actually have a specific fear of heights - it's falling from a height. If there is a railing, I am (mostly) okay. No railing and I can only look over an edge if I crawl to it, slowly (don't laugh). So I was fine at some parts of the canyon, not at others. From what I saw of that trail, there is no way I could do it.

I camped at the south rim (was last minute decision and lodging was fully booked). Staying there is definitely the best way to experience the sunrise and sunset. Unless you go at full moon, the drive to the rim is pretty long and dark once the sun sets. (I tend to worry about nocturnal critters in the road then.)

Flying: Flagstaff is an expensive place to fly into. Phx is a cheap place to fly into. Flagstaff is an expensive place to rent a car. Phoenix is a cheap place to rent a car.
Before you go: watch the weather forcast for snow. The South rim is at 7300' and it can get very cold and snowy. Dress for STANDING AROUND in winter weather. (The sunrise is a must, must see!)

Hiking: If you have one day to hike, I recommend the South Kaibab trail down to Cedar Ridge. Normal walking: its about 2 hours down trail, and 4 hours back. You might just go part of the way down, to a spot called Skeleton Point. Extremely beautiful view! If you go to Cedar Ridge, you'll have a feel for what its like to be INSIDE the canyon looking across and looking UP to the rim. Its a 300 degree panorama of canyon!! Please remember it gets dark at dinnertime, so allow enough daylight time from the beginning of your trek to stop and "gawk" at the view.

Lodging: At this time of the year you should be able to secure lodging at the South Rim of the Park. Website: www.grandcanyonlodges.com
Figure $100+ per night per room. Go during the weekdays. If you can't get reservations, then go to the desk at the Bright Angel Lodge in the morning around 10-11AM. They handle cancellations. That angle has worked for me time and again.

Sedona: Its a beautiful place. But the road from Flagstaff to Sedona is 2 lanes and very winding. Plan on 2-3 extra hours even if you just stop for lunch. Ask about the "vortex" location up by the Sedona airport. The vortex is just off the main road, and well marked. Twenty minutes of pictures and checking out its power is all you'll need.

Have a great trip!
Its a beautiful part of our world.

As usual you folks have been extremely helpful. After talking to the wife, I think we'd like to try and stay right on the rim there in one of those properties listed at. http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

El Tovar is sold out and Bright Angel is closed for "the season." Among the remaining, do you guys have any recommendations on which are better? I'll continue to call El Tovar to see if they have any cancellations. Here are the available ones:

• Kachina
• Thunderbird
• Maswick
• Yavapai

Thanks for any recommendations!

I stayed at Maswick this past weekend and was very disappointed. It was small, dirty, and not well kept. It looked like it had been built in the 50s or 60s and not remodeled since. There are a few chain hotels just outside the park in Tusayan, including a Best Western and a Holiday Inn Express. I will stay at one of those next time.

Good info.. How far of a drive is it from those chain hotels to where you get out of your car and start hiking and such?

Tusayan is 7 miles to the south rim (and 219 miles to the north rim!). So pretty convenient alternative to staying in the park. I would agree that almost all of the Tusayan lodging is better than the bulk of the in-park monopoly lodging.

The hike from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch is quite a walk. We use Bright Angel Trail and it is about 9 miles each way. That isn't so bad but you drop some 4000 feet in elevation. Coming back up is very strenuous. The park service discourages even experienced hikers from making that round trip trek in one day. North Kaibab Trail is shorter but steeper. I'm not sure that just being somewhat fit is good enough to take the chance. I have stayed at Phantom Ranch several times. It is rustic - several cabins and a couple of dorms. Maybe check with the rangers beforehand. If you do go, you need boots (not tennis shoes etc) and carry food + water as was recommended in an earlier post.