Community Forums

tomia3 · 02-26-2014, 02:09 PM

We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon last week of June. Have 2 grandkids girl 14 boy 11. We'll be going through Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah to the GC.

How many days and what are recommendations for the kids to see? How long should we plan to stay at GC? Is there a better way to go? Thanks for the assist. Tom

Full.Monte · 02-26-2014, 06:14 PM

We were there last month. I'd suggest a minimum of 3 nights/3days. We spent that much time and didn't see the north rim...it was closed. Also, if you are going all that way, you should see Bryce and Zion as well. There are more places to see than that, but those are the basics.

RichR · 02-27-2014, 08:10 AM

Are you going to the south rim-Lots to see and do there!

skigramp · 02-27-2014, 12:42 PM

There is a great museum over I-80 near Kearney, NE ... the museum has displays from the time the bison roamed there through when the "Lincoln" highway came through ... there is RV parking there ... don't miss this

In case you are a railroad buff, there is a high tech switch yard in North Platte, NE

In Minden, NE there is Pioneer Village (RV park associated with it) ... this is a collection of actual historical buildings that have been moved to the site ... and there are folks plying the actual crafts there (we have a small broom that was made there while we watched)

There is a bison herd beside I-70 near Evergreen, CO.

The grandkids will most likely get a kick out of seeing snow as you go over Vail Pass

tomia3 · 02-27-2014, 01:32 PM

First time to Grand Canyon - have no idea what is there.

ChileRick · 02-27-2014, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomia3

First time to Grand Canyon - have no idea what is there.

This site will help ...
The National Park Service websites are great sources of info for all our national parks and monuments

http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

twogypsies · 02-27-2014, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomia3

First time to Grand Canyon - have no idea what is there.

Grand Canyon is mainly a hiking park from extremely strenuous but also includes gentle walks along the rim. It's an ooh/ahh park. There are many ranger programs offered for kids and adults. The children would love seeing it - and you, too. However, if you're planning some of the southern Utah national parks there would be a little more variety.

While in the Grand Canyon/Flagstaff area they would enjoy the Indian ruins. A campground we enjoy staying is Bonito national forest campground just outside the gate to Sunset Crater along Hwy 89 north of Flagstaff. The Crater is interesting with all the black lava but if you do the loop road from the campground, past the volocano you'll encounter a wonderful ruin to explore. You could continue north on 89 to Hwy 64 and take it west into Grand Canyon.

You could also exit the Canyon via 64 and head to the southern Utah parks. It's a fantastic area to explore. Have fun!

nforus · 02-27-2014, 04:14 PM

The Williams AZ KOA is a nice park with trees, fire rings, an onsite diner, and game room for the kids. It's about 35 miles from the canyon but its an easy drive up there with a nice little Airplane museum along the way. Williams KOA is also very close to Bearazona- a drive thru wildlife park, and there is a little deer petting zoo very close by as well. The IMAX movie on the canyon is a must see and I think it plays at the visitors center.

ChallengerRN · 02-27-2014, 04:26 PM

Probably a couple days at the south rim be ok. A short hike down the Bright Angel Trail is neat. The trail starts just behind the Bright Angel Lodge. There is a rest room at 1.5 mile down. That is a nice hike and you will be able to get some beautiful pictures. At least walk down 1/4 mile. There is a pretty rock tunnel to walk thru.

The north rim is 5 hour drive from south rim. It is just as pretty but not near the traffic on that side.

Campground right in the park at the south rim. Good full hookup sites. There is a campground at the north rim too. I've never stayed there.

Russell