How To Get To The Bottom Of The Grand Canyon
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Visiting the Grand Canyon with kids is more than staring at one of the world's most incredible natural wonders. A Grand Canyon family vacation is all about adventure. It's about the journey, whether by car or train (or both!). And it's about stopping along the way to enjoy the desert's beauty and mystery. Here are 17 tips you need to know before you plan your family trip to the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon South Rim view (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
This story is brought to you in partnership with Cape Cod Chips.
1. Know when to visit the Grand Canyon.
Beautiful year-round, there's no bad time to visit the Grand Canyon. Keep in mind, though, that winter conditions can be extreme with snow and ice causing road closures. Also, the North Rim is only open from mid-May to the end of October (or the first good snowfall). Most travelers, however, only visit the South Rim of the Canyon.
Yes! It snows at the Grand Canyon in winter (Photo credit: Foto.Toch, Depositphotos.com)
On weekends in high season, you may need to contend with heavy crowds both within the National Park and on the roads. Summer and spring break are especially popular, with loads of visitors making their way to the Grand Canyon during school breaks. In summer, add Phoenicians escaping the Valley's soaring temperatures for the relatively cool temps of the Canyon's high desert. Expect temperatures at the South Rim to be around 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit in summer months, with much toastier temps within the inner canyon.
My daughter hiking the Bright Angel Trail (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
2. Be careful when taking photos at the Grand Canyon.
The first order of business at the Grand Canyon is oohing and ahh-ing at nature's magnificence. Next up, you'll want to snap a family photo in front of the Canyon, of course! Be ever watchful when visiting the Grand Canyon with kids. When traveling with young children, this may be the time to invest in a safety harness or toddler carrier, for peace of mind. Do not take any risks to grab that selfie, either. On average two people die by falling into the Grand Canyon each year. The instances are rare — about one per every 400,000 visitors — but they usually occur when people are acting carelessly in order to capture the perfect picture or from hopping about from rock to rock.
Our family photo at the Grand Canyon South Rim (Photo credit: Travel Mamas)
3. Hike the Grand Canyon with kids…or not.
When visiting the Grand Canyon with kids, honestly, a few hours is all you need to explore the South Rim unless you're a family of serious hikers. If you're thinking you'll hike down the canyon and back in a day, then think again! It takes about four hours to descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and another six to eight to climb back up, and even longer if hiking with young children. Believe me, going up is MUCH harder than going down! Sturdy closed-toe athletic or hiking shoes are a must, no matter how long the hike.
If hiking down the Canyon is on your family's bucket list, then plan to spend a few months training for the strenuous climb. You should also bring strategically packed daypacks. Not sure what to bring? Take a look at this Grand Canyon backpacking packing list.
For camping opportunities, be sure to make campground reservations about one year in advance to spend the night mid-way or on the Canyon floor.
A Navajo troupe member performing a traditional dance near Hopi House (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
4. Look for Native American dance performances.
When visiting in summer, check the sign by the Hopi House for traditional Native American dance times. The Navajo troupe performs authentic dances traditionally featured at powwows at scheduled times throughout the day.
Helicopter at the Grand Canyon (Photo credit: nasneto8, Depositphotos.com)
5. Take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.
If you've got more time to spare, then a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is something your kids will surely never forget. You can even board a chopper to descend to the Canyon floor!
Havasu Falls within the Havasupai Native American Reservation (Photo credit: luckyphotographer, Depositphotos.com)
6. Visit Havasupai Falls.
One of the most breathtaking and remote areas of the Grand Canyon is Havasupai Falls. Located on the Havasupai Native American Reservation, only a very limited number of people are allowed to visit this stunning location. Havasu Falls is the most popular of the five gorgeous waterfalls located here. Reservations book up very quickly each year (in about 30 minutes after opening on February 1), so if this is on your must-do list, register now, mark your calendar, and cross your fingers. A full-day difficult hike, helicopter flight, horse or mule ride is required to reach the falls.
Mule train at the Grand Canyon (Photo credit: rybarmarekk, Depositphotos.com)
7. Ride a mule at the Grand Canyon.
If your family prefers to ride rather than hike, then sign up for a mule ride through the Grand Canyon. South Rim mule tours last 3 hours, including educational stops. Only 10 riders per day are allowed to descend all of the way to the bottom of the Canyon for an overnight at Phantom Ranch before ascending to the rim the next day. Riders must be aged 9+.
Colorado River in the Grand Canyon (Photo credit: chagall, Depositphotos.com)
8. Go white water rafting along the Colorado River.
Additionally, intrepid families can book single or multi-day white water rafting tours along the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Tours typically welcome children aged 8+ on motor-powered rafts or 12+ for oar-powered journeys.
Grand Canyon Skywalk (Photo credit: jabiru, Depositphotos.com)
9. Brave the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Daredevils would also dig a stroll on Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass-bottom bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the edge of Grand Canyon West. Keep in mind that it will take about 4 hours to drive from the South Rim to Skywalk. Skywalk and Grand Canyon West are most easily accessible from Las Vegas. Book a bus tour from Sin City with optional Skywalk via GetYourGuide.
Slide Rock State Park in Sedona (Photo credit: fotoluminate, Depositphotos.com)
10. Learn how to get to the Grand Canyon.
The closest city to the Grand Canyon is Las Vegas. It's about 125 miles from the Strip to Grand Canyon West. Those driving from Las Vegas will be pleased to know it takes about 2 hours to drive from the city to Skywalk.
The drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim will take about 4 hours if you don't encounter heavy tourist traffic or make any pitstops. Oh, but what a shame it would be to not stop along the way! There are some serious treasures to be found on your road trip from the Valley of the Sun to the Grand Canyon.
Walnut Canyon ancient cliff dwellings once occupied by the Sinagua peoples (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Stop in gorgeous Sedona to hike among red rocks or cool off in summer months at the Slide Rock State Park, a natural waterpark of sorts. You might also want to visit impressive Native American ruins at Walnut Canyon or Montezuma Castle.
A trip to Meteor Crater near Winslow is a bit off-course but well worth the extra drive to see the massive hole that could fit 20 football fields. It was created by a flying space rock around 50 thousand years ago. These side trips are part of the joy of the journey to the Grand Canyon.
Meteor Crater (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
11. Take a train to the Grand Canyon with kids.
For a unique way to reach the Grand Canyon, climb aboard the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona (a little over 2.5 hours by car from Phoenix). The vintage train offers a variety of cabins, from a non-air conditioned Pullman up to a luxury domed-roof car that serves complimentary sodas, and snacks (cheese and cracker tray, veggies and hummus, and an array of fruits). Parents can purchase cocktails, beer, and wine as well.
Grand Canyon Railway (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Grand Canyon Railway is much more than transportation. Before boarding, train riders watch a live Old West shoot-out. On the way to the Grand Canyon, expect live musicians strolling through every class of car. On the way back, there's a make-believe train heist, with actors riding their horses alongside the train before it stops so they can board and snag tips from riders. My grade school kids found the hold-up to be a fun diversion. Be forewarned, however, that a preschooler in our car found the whole idea terrifying. Watch the video below for a sampling of the live entertainment onboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Book your Grand Canyon Railway tickets via GetYourGuide now!
12. Book family-friendly accommodations at the Grand Canyon.
Accommodations at the rim of the Grand Canyon are limited. Plan to make your hotel reservations about a year in advance if you want to stay within the National Park. If there's a hotel you really desire, my extended family has had success with calling daily for cancellations to snag a room. For more affordable and easier-to-book options a few miles outside Grand Canyon National Park, consider hotel options in Tusayan or Williams instead.
El Tovar is the oldest and grandest resort at the rim, made of limestone and pine in 1905 to evoke a Swiss chalet. Growing up in Arizona, I made many visits to the Canyon as a child and I always dreamed of staying at El Tovar. On this last visit with my kids, however, we ate lunch at El Tovar Dining Room and I was surprised by the low quality of the food and surliness of the service. Still, the views can't be beaten.
Our Flagstaff VRBO rental home (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
The closest Arizona city to the Grand Canyon is Flagstaff, a charming college town that is home to Northern Arizona University. You'll find a sweet walkable downtown and plentiful hiking trails amid ponderosa pines in Flagstaff. If you don't mind staying further from the Grand Canyon, then Flagstaff makes a good choice. It's about a 90-minute drive from here to the South Rim. My family adored our 3-bedroom VRBO rental home in Flagstaff, walking distance to many restaurants and shops with a barbecue, hammock, hot tub, and fire pit in the backyard.
Williams, Arizona – Inspiration for Disney's Cars Land (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
13. Visit Williams, Arizona.
If you plan to do the train route, then you can bed down for the night in Williams. The Grand Canyon Railway offers hotel and train packages. The hotel isn't anything fancy, but the town sure is cute. Disney Imagineers visited the towns along the old Route 66 for inspiration for the Cars movies and subsequent Cars Land at Disneyland. It's obvious they spent a night or two in Williams, which lights up like a scene from Cars with neon lights along its 15-mile-per-hour main drag. It's art-imitating-life-imitating-art at its finest.
Historic Brewing Company in Williams, Arizona (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Food near the Grand Canyon doesn't get high marks on Yelp for a reason. The same is true of Williams. Your best bet is to grab a table at the Historic Brewing Company, either indoors to watch the game on TV or on their outdoor patio. They offer EtchAsktetches for kids to borrow, plus an array of beers on tap and Grand Canyon Wine Co. wines for mom and dad. (Try the Arizona Pink wine for sweet sips of strawberry and honey flavors.)
Route 66 souvenirs (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
Wander through the town's kitschy shops for a Route 66 souvenir. For a little thrill, top off your night with a ride aboard the High Flying Family Adventure Zipline, which soars right over the wee town of Williams.
High Flying Family Adventure Zipline (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
14. Make a side trip to Bearizona.
My children's favorite part of our family vacation to the Grand Canyon had nothing to do with the Canyon itself. Instead, Bearizona is what they were excited to tell their grandparents and friends about after their first visit to Northern Arizona. This drive-through wildlife park near Williams affords guests the opportunity to see 17 species of animals including Arctic wolves, bison, Dall sheep, and of course, bears.
Bearizona drive-through wildlife park (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
15. Choose the right snacks for your Grand Canyon road trip.
It's fun to stop along the way at offbeat diners during your Grand Canyon road trip. Keep in mind, though, that there will be long stretches with little to eat along your path. Bring along some tasty treats like Cape Cod Chips. Take a look at additional travel snack ideas for your trip.
Grand Canyon snacks (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)
16. Discover additional resources for your Grand Canyon trip.
Want to learn more tips for planning your family trip to the Grand Canyon? I found Fodor's Arizona & The Grand Canyon to be a useful guide before and during our getaway. Get the latest edition today!
Looking for guided tours of the Grand Canyon and American Southwest? Take a look at this array of options from G Adventures and National Geographic Journeys.
For additional Arizona vacation ideas, read our tips for visiting Prescott with kids, Arizona's Territorial Capital.
You will also want to discover all the fun things to do in Scottsdale, the West's Most Western Town.
To explore the region further, read tips for exploring the American Southwest or take a peek at our best road trip from Phoenix itinerary, including National Parks and Las Vegas.
17. Save these tips for planning your Grand Canyon family vacation.
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Do you have any questions about visiting Grand Canyon with kids? Want to share a tip for planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation and free products from Cape Cod Chips related to this story.
How To Get To The Bottom Of The Grand Canyon
Source: https://travelmamas.com/grand-canyon-with-kids/
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