Grand Canyon Trip in a car

[HOZ]

  I know but wife has bum knee, so that is the way we roll for now. Little early in the year for a bike trip anyway, too old and cold. Just wondering what to look out for and the weather this time of year there. Never been there, wife was few years ago, in a motor home, with girl friend. So, what side of canyon is the best, towns to see, places to stay, you know that kind of thing. We live up in Washington and I'm going to take around 2 weeks of vacation to do this. Planning on middle of April for the trip. Any help would be a plus. TIA HOZ

PS Just this last summer bought another Valk and look what we are doing now, let that be a lesson to you, don't be greedy with them hard to find out of production Motorcycles. 

[Hotrodwing]

I too am very interested. I am in the process of going there in May. Thinking of flying to Phoenix with stops in Sedona , South and North Rim,Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley etc.  ending up in Vegas.  Any input on what to see what not to bother with where to stay would be greatly appreciated.  I would love to do it on the Bike but with my wife and daughter going it is not going to happen.  Thanks in advance. Mike

[LandElephant]

Well first of all if you are going this time of year you might call the National Park Service and see if the North Rim is open.  Generally the access road to the north rim is closed because of snow.  About three feet of it.  Most people don't know the the north rim is about 2000 feet higher than the south rim.

Right now it truely depends on the weather.  It may be cold and have snow on the ground or be comfortable weather.  Four years ago when Punisher, Sweet Tea, and I rode through there in late April it was snowing on our way to Williams, but the next day it was in the 50's and just plain georgous.

Right now you would probably find some good deals in Williams AZ, and there are some nice quient resteraunts and shops there.  You might check out the Grand Canyon Railroad.  It travels from Williams to the south rim and the cost covers everything including admissions to the park.  A nice way to leave the driving to them in an old style Pullman train car.

Hope this helps

Charlie
LandElephant

[Normandog]

We were there on the bike last August. Only made it to the North Rim so the only comparison to the south rim I can offer is from someone else who had visited both and preferred the north rim. I know you have to go north rim to see the angel's window pictured below. The dark ribbon you can see thru the large hole in the rock is the Colorado river.

The angle's window is at cape royal and was our favorite thing we saw at the Grand Canyon.

Camping near the Grand Canyon Lodge at the north rim but not sure how far in advance you have to have reservations. Just dug out my canyon guide and the north rim campground has a dump station only. NO HOOKUPS. Phone # is 877-444-6777. From what I'm seeing in the guide it may be tuff to find a campground in april that has full hook-ups. The north rim is at much higher elevation than the south rim so they have longer winters.
Kanab, Utah is centrally located to Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyons. Jacob's Lake is where I would stay if I ever go back. A lodge, store and great resteraunt. If  you're gonna be in that part of the country, you definitely want to take in Zion and Bryce.
From Zion Canyon



From Bryce



From Monument Valley



From Bright Angel Point just below the lodge at the north rim of the Grand Canyon


I hope this helps. Maybe someone more familiar with the area, weather, etc.  will chime in.

Mike, the phone # for Grand Canyon Lodge at the north rim is 877 386 4383. However, I was told they are booked one year in advance. Good luck to both of ya and have a great trip.