A Grand Canyon Trip from Vegas
Grand Canyon is located in Arizona along 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River. The huge Grand Canyon is a mile (1.6 km) deep and reaches up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. From the rim, you are witness to millions of years of geologic history recorded in the colorful layers of rock.
Take advantage of the time you are staying in Vegas to visit this superb gift from nature. Travel from Vegas with chauffeured transportation and spend the night at the park. Then, get ready for magnificent sights and an unforgettable adventure.
About the Grand Canyon
What You Need to Know
Grand Canyon National Park
The park has two main visitation areas: South and North Rim. The South Rim includes the Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. Less popular than the South Rim, the North Rim is visited by only 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors. It is a worthwhile trip for those who enjoy “the road less traveled”.
Grand Canyon is a true piece of paradise for nature lovers. Specialists consider it one of the greatest examples of arid-land erosion on Earth. However, the significance of the Grand Canyon is not limited to its geology. The Park is home to a handful of important ecosystems. Read more here about the over 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 17 fish species found in the park. It also functions as a refuge for threatened and endangered species.
Grand Canyon National Park visitor centers, which should be the first place to go so you can get situated. The structure of the park offers everything you need so your stay is comfortable and hassle-free. Everything from directions to lodging to places to eat and things to do can be found on their website. Especially in the South Rim, it is considered a “do it yourself” kind of visit, so the information on brochures and the help of rangers should be enough for you to get around.
When to Visit
The South Rim is open year-round, 24 hours a day. It is strongly recommended to make reservations during spring, summer, and fall. It is worth noting that some facilities close during the winter months. The North Rim closes for the winter months. It is scheduled to re-open for the 2022 season on May 15th, 2022. Make sure you always check the Park’s official website for updates on opening hours and other important information.
Important to always have in mind are weather conditions, and Grand Canyon has unique features. The very different weather conditions happen due to the huge variation in elevation. Weather is usually colder in the rims and much warmer at the bottom of the canyon.
Additionally, you will be able to witness summer thunderstorms and winter snowfalls in the region. You can check for updates in local weather here, and there are even webcams to see some spots in real time!
Not to Miss: Grand Canyon Must-Sees
The Grand Canyon National Park has options of entertainment for all types of travelers. From the outdoor-lover to the car enthusiast, everyone can find their best choice. We have selected Grand Canyon’s splendid scenic drives so you can have a glimpse of the variety of fun possibilities.
Scenic Drives
Here are fantastic scenic drives inside the national park. For your convenience, all of them can be done in private vehicles. For leveling up your comfort inside the vehicle, check for options of chauffeured transportation aboard luxury sedans or SUVs.
- Desert View Drive
It is the only scenic drive on the South Rim that is open to private vehicles throughout the year. It covers 23 miles (37 km) along the rim. The drive features breathtaking views of the canyon.
- Hermit’s Road: West Rim (along the South Rim)
This drive is closed to private vehicles from March through November. There are nine stunning scenic overlooks over Grand Canyon and Colorado River.
- Kaibab Plateau: North Rim
As the North Rim is closed during the winter months, it is possible to drive along Kaibab Plateau only from mid-May through mid-October. You will see pine, fir, and aspen trees along your drive as your curiosity builds up in anticipation of the large natural abyss on the North Rim.
Getting Around: Plan Your Transportation
Arriving at the Grand Canyon National Park
The park is 278 miles (447 km) from Las Vegas. That is a rough five hours plus stops. For a direct route, the directions are:
- Take Highway 93 south to Kingman, AZ.
- From Kingman, take I-40 east to Williams, AZ.
- From Williams, take Highway 64 north to the South Rim.
If you plan your visit during spring break, summer, and holiday weeks, then be extra thoughtful. During these periods, visitors can expect long lines at the entrances, full parking lots, and more crowded conditions. Arriving early (before 9 am) is the recommendation on the park’s official website to avoid lines and find a good parking spot.
So your travel plans are almost ready, but why wait until you get there to have beautiful sights? On the way from Las Vegas to the national park are some surprises worth noting.
What to See Between Vegas and the Grand Canyon?
Some will argue that it is better to just get the direct route we have just mentioned above. They consider the great scenery to be at the Grand Canyon itself. From these travelers, the advice is to get to the park as soon as possible, and maybe stop at the diversions on the way back.
However, there is a chance that you are going from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then onwards, not making your way back through the same route. Also, many travelers argue that there are spots worth your time on the way up.
You can take the opportunity to drive a bit on famous old Route 66 from Kingman to Seligman. For more of Route 66 and probably the most scenic option you could go via Oatman to Kingman but it’s a slow backroad over the mountains. This friendly traveler’s blog has some tips on places to stop between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon South Rim:
- View of the Dam from the Memorial Bridge.
- Big Horn Sheep at Hemenway Park, and Lake Mead in the background.
- Lake Mead Marina from overlook.
- Nevada and Arizona landscape near the Hoover Dam.
- A view of part of the Colorado River.
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