Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

[jns]

we are at the early stages of planning our trip to the west coast and one of our most do's is the Grand Canyon
we are thinking of doing this as a tour but when I went googling there are so many
so where do I start

Thanks for any info

 

[rpbert1]

planning going this year. Looking at the tours, they are quite a long day by coach, would prefer to rent a car even for the day and do it myself. Would prefer the helicopter tour , bit more expensive than the bus, but DW would never get into the helicopter so thats ruled out for us

 

[mamacatnv]

I was looking at it today - we will be stopping at the Grand Canyon as we relocate from Reno, NV to Austin TX in March. so we will be driving.

We will stay in Vegas then depart Vegas and head to Hoover Dam (an hour of driving) then from there the South Rim Grand Canyon Village is 250 miles. We will stay one night in the Village and continue on our journey.

The Grand Canyon Village looks cool, it has free shuttles that stop at several places along the rim and it is home to the visitors center etc.

The cost to get into the park is $25 per passenger vehicle

No way would I get in one of the helo's - not going to happen, those dang things have a habit of crashing.

The SkyWalk on the Hualapi Reservation looks really amazing, it is on the Western Rim(125 miles from Vegas) and there are bus tours out of Vegas - however, from what I have read, while the skywalk is really amazing, you don't see the granduer of the Grand Canyon and how big it really is

 

[dgbg100106]

planning going this year. Looking at the tours, they are quite a long day by coach, would prefer to rent a car even for the day and do it myself. Would prefer the helicopter tour , bit more expensive than the bus, but DW would never get into the helicopter so thats ruled out for us

this sounds just like us... We decided to rent a car and drive ourselves. My DH would not get into the helicopter and if he did he would not enjoy himself.

 

[dgbg100106]

I was looking at it today - we will be stopping at the Grand Canyon as we relocate from Reno, NV to Austin TX in March. so we will be driving.

We will stay in Vegas then depart Vegas and head to Hoover Dam (an hour of driving) then from there the South Rim Grand Canyon Village is 250 miles. We will stay one night in the Village and continue on our journey.

The Grand Canyon Village looks cool, it has free shuttles that stop at several places along the rim and it is home to the visitors center etc.

The cost to get into the park is $25 per passenger vehicle

No way would I get in one of the helo's - not going to happen, those dang things have a habit of crashing.

The SkyWalk on the Hualapi Reservation looks really amazing, it is on the Western Rim(125 miles from Vegas) and there are bus tours out of Vegas - however, from what I have read, while the skywalk is really amazing, you don't see the granduer of the Grand Canyon and how big it really is

I want to do the skywalk, the last time I was there, 24 years ago it was not there, but DH has never been so I want him to get the full effect of going and seeing. Do you know if there is a best place to see the Grand Canyon?

 

[mamacatnv]

The Skywalk will run approx $85 per person for the fee's to enter the reservation and then to gain access to the skywalk.

The mileage from the Skywalk to the South Rim is 250 miles
To the North Rim from the Skywalk is 450 - basically you go to the south rim and then up and around according to Google Maps.

I have read that the Rim areas are the best places to take in the granduer and size of the Canyon. The West rim where the skywalk is at is a narrow arm of the canyon.

The Rim's look to be the best places to view due to shuttles, rangers and visitors centers but I am no expert. I have just started reading up on the subject myself

 

[Ed J]

Limo pic-up at hotel
check in / weigh in at their facility at the Vegas AP
flight to the GC going over the Dam and a big lake
Champagne lunch at the base of the canyon
ride back to AP with a tour of the strip
buy souvenir photo at their place
limo ride back to hotel (in Vegas)
4 hours door to door
$350 with tips add another $40 if you want a DVD of the trip

March / 2010

If you get motion sickness on a boat or plane you could easily do it in a helicopter, best advice is prepare for it.

Time is money, I was solo so it was not as painful as if I had the whole crew with me.

Sad part is I saw a month or so back that the same company I flew with lost a trip <yah in that bad way> but even with that in mind, I'd go again.

It is truly grand .

 

[CrazyAboutWDW]

If you are going to be based in Los Vegas but want to see the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend the "Grand Canyon All American Helicopter Tour" it is about $300 pp plus tip. Book it through Viator.com. Take 3.5-4 hours door to door from your hotel. Limo pick up at hotel, departure from LV McCarran airport, fly over Lake Los Vegas, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and onto the Canyon. You stop on the canyon floor, walk around a bit and have a box lunch with champaigne or soft drink. It was beautiful. On the way back they fly over the Strip. It was beautiful and in a half of a day we saw so much that would have taken a couple of days we'd driven instead. Some of this you could never see if not in the air. We spotted wild burros in the dessert that were descended from those left behind during the gold rush. The helicoptor is very smooth and not scary. If you have concerns take some Dramamine before you fly and save your meal until you return. They do have motion sickness bags in the cabin if needed, everyone was fine on our trip.

 

[dgbg100106]

This sounds so cool...

I am just not sure I can get my DH into the chopper... I will have to work him up to it.

Thanks for the reviews.

 

[CrazyAboutWDW]

It was super cool. I have some beautiful pictures we took in the canyon. Good luck getting DH into a chopper. We did not give it so much thought - just an exciting adventure! it's a smooth ride - almost lke floating.

 

[VAN]

My response would be dependent on how much time you have. The last time I was there, we were staying with my sister's family (brother-in-law flew helicoptor tour into GC for same company mentioned earlier).

Anyway, we flew into Vegas - spent 3-4 days there and then drove to the GC ... spending two nights at a hotel just outside the park ... Yes, the south rim is where get the most iconic and breathtaking views. We spent the a full day exploring the rim and even went on some ranger-led activities. Best advice we got before going was to take a cooler with picnic/lunch meat items. Boy did we get the jealous eyes looking at us as we were eating our sandwiches at the rim!!! Food, etc is very expensive at the GC as everything has to be shipped in.

Anyway, we drove in the main entrance and then went out the way of the painted desert and then back to Vegas.

If you have extra time, then visit the overlook - but I would only recommend that AFTER you have explored the south rim. It wasn't there when we went but I do know the spot and that is not the most iconic/scenic area to view the canyon (IMO).

Pictures just do not do the GC justice ... it is truly a sight to behold!

If you don't have time to drive, I'd definitely look into the helicoptor tour.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

We are looking to drive to Grand Canyon from Vegas, stay one night and then stop at Hoover Dam on our way back. Ultimately we will be driving to Disneyland.

Logistically, what would you suggest -drive back to Vegas from Grand Canyon and stay a night and then drive to Anaheim from Vegas? Or drive to Anaheim directly from Grand Canyon (via Hoover Dam).

Also, can anyone recommend a hotel near the Grand Canyon? We would prefer a chain where there is a known quality.

 

[Tigger1]

We are also plannng a trip West. DH only has 9 days off including the weekend. We would like to Leave after work on a Friday, Get to GC by Sat night. Look at it Sat then drive to HD, then to Vegas for the night. Then on Sunday make it to San Diego to DD home. Dh will fly home the following Sunday. Is this too much? We are not gambliers so will not be in casinos all night. We will have about 1300 miles to Sd. That plan seems to rushed. May have to skip LV or GC. DD Birthday will be on that Sunday its a Prority.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

We are planning to drive directly to Grand Canyon from Vegas in Mid June. From what others are saying it looks to be about 4 1/2 hours. Is this a realistic estimate?

We will be staying in El Tovar for 1 night. I have heard getting into the park is terrible as far as traffic goes as is finding a parking spot. If we we there by 1PM do we even have a chance of finding a parking spot?