Sample Titles: Giving you the greatest tips, stays, hikes and eats around the Grand Canyon.
So, your'e making the trek to the Grand Canyon; whether it is your first time or your 50th, this trip requires research and planning. After venturing 30 of the 50 states and nearly half the national parks, this is the only park you can't go into without a plan –everything you need to know about going to the Grand Canyon in early Spring.
The vastness of the Grand Canyon is something that cannot be justified in any picture or video. Between the two rims (north & south) which stretch up to 18 miles across, a rushing river runs a staggering 277 miles long. The park could take you weeks to see each part, but whether your'e there for the long-haul or just a sunset, this guide will help you get the most out of your first adventure.
The Grand Canyon runs along the south portion of the Colorado river which cuts the two rims apart. One of the most important things to note about the canyon is you can't drive across it; a five hour drive is require to go rim to rim. If you are looking to beat the crowds and have a secluded and more primitive experience, the North Rim is your destination, but with a small town just below, an array of viewpoints, visitor centers and hotels the South Rim is the most popular area of the Canyon.
The South Rim
If your'e hiking the South Rim in the March to May period, two non-negotiables have to plan for are weather & water. The weather during this season is unpredictable and quickly turned nasty on the daily altering my travel plans. That said, you can't plan for the weather, but you can pack for it. On the rim the average high is 55 and a low of 22, sometimes dropping to 0 a high quality sleeping bag, liner and warm base-layers is a necessity. On top of that and for many other reasons a minimum of a gallon of water a day should also be on the top of your list.
South Rim Stays & Eats
Hiking The Grand Canyon: South Kaibab Trail & Shoshone Point
Beyond The Gates: A Guide to Williams, AZ & The Grand Canyon Express
South Rim Stays & Eats
There are a lot of great options for each budget when traveling to the South Rim. If you decide against renting a car (not recommended) and stay inside the park at the Grand Canyon Village you will find four great hotel options. Staying inside the canyon is going to cost you $250-600 a night with limited food options and large crowds, so my best recommendations lie outside the gates.
If your'e a foodie I have bad news; the best bites are nearly 50 minutes south of the Canyon. As soon as you venture outside of the park gates you'll reach Tusayan. The town has plenty of fast food options and costly sit downs but it may not be the culinary experience you've been longing for. If you can't cook or venture too far, We Cook Pizza & Pasta and The Yavapai Tavern are two great places for a satisfying meal.
In Tusayan there are several great places to rest for the night, the Best Western, Red Feather Lodge & Yavapai Lodge are among three of the best and cost friendly. If your like me and prefer a more private experience, the Dumplin' Patch B&B offers rustic cabins with incredible views of the stars while you lie back on the porch. The Dumplin Patch is at the Junction just below Tusayan with a few other motels asking around $150/night.
The greatest experience you can get out of the Grand Canyon or any trip for that matter is to set up a tent and feel nature in its fullness. Arriving back from a long day of hiking to a warm campfire dressed by one of the most miraculous star canopies you'll ever see is an unforgettable experience.
Hipcamp and Airbnb have hundreds of campsites listed with a variety of amenities, many of which are under $30 a night. My favorite of which, the AZ Sky Ranch At Valle will only set you back $15 and is only 20 minutes form the South Rim. This place was magical. easy to find off the highway, away from any people and complimented by an accommodating host. A stay here surrounds you with sites of the ____ Mountains in the distance where you'll see spectacular sunrises, sunsets and starscapes daily.
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Once you’ve got a full stomach and a place to eat, hiking is likely your next option. I hiked 5 trails on the South Rim in my week stay and that was more than enough for me. Many of the hikes like the Rim Trail run along the top of the canyon and can be done in a few short hours with little strain.
If you have multiple days the most popular trails that go into the canyon are The Bright Angel Trail & The South Kaibab. My mission for this trip was to reach the bottom of the Canyon while seeing as few people as possible, so I chose the South Kaibab trail.
5 Things To Know Before Heading Out On the South Kaibab Trail
- Due to elevation change, the cimate changes every few hundred feet. I started my hike in 4 layers, a vest and a coat, then ended in shorts and a T-shirt.
- There is NO WATER at any point on the trail until reaching Phantom Ranch, prepare at least a gallon.
- Time how long it takes you to get to your stopping point - it will take 1.5-2.5x the amount of time on the way back up.
- Microspikes are recommended for the first portion of the trail and unpredictable weather.
- The further you are in the canyon, the sooner the sun will set. I began the trail at 12:00 and arrived at the top 10 minutes after sunset; plan accordingly.
The South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch (14.3 miles O&B) is narrow and breathtaking with ever changing, diverse ecosystems, endless panoramic views, every time you look up the canyon takes your breath away- literally. The trail covers nearly 3,500 feet in elevation gain so the park has made the trail into what is essentially switchback stairs.
The first stretch of the trail- South Kaibab to Ooh-Aah Point (1.8 miles) is heavily trafficked and may require microspikes; but don't let that or the huffs puffs and groans of the hikers on the way back up discourage you. In March, it would be advised to start this hike with a lot of layers which are easy to take off, by the time you reach the point the temperature will increase 10-12 degrees.
Continuing from Ooh-Aah, you will pass Cedar Ridge which is a great, flat spot to lay out and is now sporting fancy pit toilets. After continuing from here, you'll quickly notice that fewer and fewer are following behind you. Skeleton Point is about 1.5 miles beyond the ridge, and is also the last place I saw another person on the trail. Here it begins to get hot, no matter what time of year - yes that means sunscreen in winter.
The last waypoint before descending into the Canyon is Tip Off Point. The rest of the hike beyond this trail isn't for the faint hearted, its doubly as steep and hovers around 80 degrees in the winter. If your'e brave enough to continue, the cascading 2000 foot high formations with raptors soaring overhead will reaffirm your accomplishment. After a final stretch of switchbacks a relatively flat trail will bring you the rest of the way to the Colorado River, not far from Phantom Ranch; the only overnight stay inside the canyon.
Just above the Colorado river is where I ended my day, the plant life and bird activity was begging my camera out of my bag. After an hour, some snacks and a long shoot at the bottom it was time to head up with only 4.5 hours until sunset.
The way up is hellish- for any hiker. Imagine walking up a stair-master for 7 miles with 50 pounds, no time to spare and a quickly setting sun. After my experience, the way back up takes 2-2.5x the amount of time down, the last portion is icy, so it is of pinnacle importance to plan your day well.
A 'secret' hike for spectacular and secluded sunsets
Hands down my favorite trail and asset of the grand canyon is The Shoshone Point Trail. Owner of Dumplin' Patch B&B Judy was nice enough to tell me about this spot, so I began my stay at the Canyon with this 2.1 mile out and back and finished the trip with it too. After seeing extensive potions of the South Rim, this trail is one of few that truly exposes the granduer of the canyon, not to mention the hike is extremely easy and equally as private.
I was greeted by a long straight shot trail freshly blanketed with snow when I arrived, the entrance isn't marked, rather you must pull off in a seemingly random parking lot and walk around the gate. From there on, you'll follow the trail until you reach a clearing with a picnic area and fire pit. As you continue to the left of the picnic pavilion, the footsteps fade and you are left to explore the beauty of Shoshone Point. Being it was my first time entering the canyon, I didn't know what to expect. As soon as I finally reached a clearing, I dropped all my things and audibly started cracking up between profanities, it was by far the most vast and amazing thing I had ever seen incomparable to any photo.
Beyond The Gates: A Guide to Williams, AZ & The Grand Canyon Express
Nearly everything you'll need outside of the park is to the south, the historic town of Williams, Arizona follows as a 50 minute straight-shot south of Tusayan. If you need a break from the tourist towns, the people in this town are some of the most welcoming, friendly and helpful i've came across in all of my travels. I unfortunaltly brought a small mouse along my drive from New Mexico which nearly ended my trip, multiple citizens of the town came forward to help clean, catch and fix my car from the half dollar sized rodent that nearly ended my trip.
Apart from the railroad and panoramic views, Williams has outstanding options for restaurants, breweries, hostels, hotels and laundromats.
The Grand Canyon Railroad offers a one of a kind viewing experience of The Grand Canyon while the century old train cars bring you back in time. You can start your morning with an incredible view and a cup of coffee in your hand, sitting back on the 3 hour scenic ride to the South Rim. Click here for tickets and train schedules.
Historic Brewing & Barrel is my favorite place for a quality brew and a savory meal after a day on the trail. Their flight is served in a carved oak tray, the day I went there were about 15 different options. My favorite of Historic's on tap was an Arizona Lager Oceanfront property; a lighter, crisp beer that was beyond satisfying after a few miles climb. Inside Historic there were multiple outlets on the outer tables, another customer and I worked and charged up for five hours or so between exchanging stories with the staff.
Mustang Gas Station won't come up in many google searches as a laundromat, but word from the locals took me there and allowed me to avoid the frightening reviews on the rest of the laundromats nearby (note there are no launrdreomats in the grand cany
If you've read this far I hope you feel prepared and excited for the adventure of a lifetime. Remember to plan and pay attention to the weather and your water consumption and you are bound to have a killer time. Have more questions or just want to follow along on the next adventure? Scroll down to add a comment or navigate to my socials!
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