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Grand Canyon National Park is located in northern Arizona. Most people think all there is to see is the Grand Canyon, but there is so much more. On this trip you will visit the Grand Canyon North Rim, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon South Rim, Route 66, Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. In the parks, there is something for everyone. You can walk along the rim and enjoy the view of the canyon below, or you can venture down one of several trails that go into the canyon. |
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Model Itinerary
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Day 1:
We flew into the Las Vegas Airport because it is centrally located between the Northern and Southern Rims of the Grand Canyon. You can spend the night in Las Vegas, depending on what time your plane lands, or you can drive 2 hours to St. George, Utah. To be closer to the park entrance, you can make the 3 hour and 15 minute drive to Kanab, Utah. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at both places. |
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Day 2:
Hotel options are extremely limited on this side of the park, so it is important to make your hotel reservations a year or so in advance. We booked a rim cabin at the Grand Canyon Lodge, North Rim. When entering the park, follow the signs to Cape Royal for a scenic drive along the canyon rim and a spectacular view of the canyon. I recommend driving all the way to the end of the road at Cape Royal and walking to the overlook. Stop at Vista Encantada, Roosevelt Point, and Point Imperial on the return drive. There are no Park Services on this road, so take a picnic lunch and get gas before entering the park. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the views from the Lodge front porch and make sure to walk down to Bright Angel Point to see the sunset. Then, have a nice dinner in the Lodge dining room. |
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Day 3:
If you want more adventure, you can spend the morning hiking down the North Kaibab Trail into the canyon, catch a Ranger talk or guided walk, or take a horse ride along the rim. Begin the 2 ½ hour drive to Page, Arizona late in the afternoon and find a hotel for the night. Be sure to stop at the Navajo Bridge to see where the Grand Canyon begins. |
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Day 4:
The next morning, plan to take a 1 hour guided hike with Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. This slot canyon walk is known for being the most photographed slot canyon in the world, so take your cameras. After the tour, begin the drive to the South Rim with a stop at Cameron Trading Post for lunch. When you enter the South Rim park entrance, make a stop at the Desert View Visitor Center to see the watchtower and get park maps and information. Along the drive to Grand Canyon Village, don’t miss the views from Lipan Point and Grandview Point. If you would like to spend the night at the historic El Tovar, call one year in advance. If the hotel is full, there are many other options in Grand Canyon Village or nearby in the town of Tusayan. |
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Day 5:
Start the day by taking the shuttle to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point. There are several short films and displays about the area. From there, take a short shuttle bus ride to the Yavapai Geology Museum near Yavapai Point. The views from the Museum are some of the best views into the canyon below. Once you have seen the exhibits, walk the Rim Trail to Mather Point and then back to the Visitor Center. After lunch, you can take a Ranger walk along the Rim Trail near the Grand Canyon Village or take the shuttle bus out to Hermits Rest. If you have energy to spare, hike down into the Canyon on Bright Angel Trail. Don’t miss the sunset over the canyon from Hopi Point. |
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Day 6:
Today is your last day in Grand Canyon National Park, so finish buying souvenirs and taking photographs of the magnificent views. Then, take Highway 64 out of the park and head to Williams, Arizona for lunch and to explore some of the famous Route 66. You can take the highway or Route 66 to go toward Boulder City or Henderson to find a hotel for the night. |
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Day 7:
In the morning, take a tour of Hoover Dam and take time to walk around. Make a stop at the nearby bridge to get a great view of the Dam and the water below. For lunch, find a place in historic Boulder City and then go explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Go for a swim in the refreshing water and, if time permits,take a scenic drive through the park back to Las Vegas to find a hotel for the night. |
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Day 8:
You can add on another day in Las Vegas to explore, or fly home and start planning your next adventure! Or continue your trip with the Bryce and Zion National Park Itinerary |
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