Although there are some people who say that planning a vacation is a tedious and stressful task, the truth is, it can actually be as fun and exciting as the vacation itself; and this is especially true if you are planning for a vacation in the Grand Canyon. You just have to make sure that you know what you need to do and consider as you do your planning and you should be able to put together one of the best and most unforgettable holidays that you will ever have. If you are in the process of planning a Grand Canyon vacation, here is a guide that should be able to help you out.
- Decide Which Part Of The Grand Canyon You Would Like To Visit
If this would be your first visit to the Grand Canyon or if you would be traveling with children, then the South Rim would be a good option, as the South Rim offers relatively more accommodation options, activities, and tourist services than the North Rim. On the other hand, if you have already been to the Grand Canyon or if you are looking to have a relaxed vacation in a more secluded setting away from the throngs of other tourists and visitors, then the North Rim might be a better option for you. You should note, however, that the North Rim is accessible only from mid-May to mid-October, and is over 1,000 feet higher and receives snow earlier than the South Rim.
- Decide How You Want To Go To The Grand Canyon
Most of the visitors of the Grand Canyon arrive at either the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix or the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, both of which are located within half a day’s drive from the park. Aside from flying in, however, you can also opt to drive. To give you an idea of the time it would take for you to reach the South Rim of the canyon by car, it is about an eight-hour drive from Los Angeles, California, or a thirteen-hour drive from Denver, Colorado.
- Decide When You Want To Have Your Vacation In The Grand Canyon
Generally, it would be good to visit in the summer, particularly if you want to make sure that you would be able to do all of the popular activities that can be done at the park such as hiking, biking, and rafting; however, because summer is considered as the peak season during which more tourists visit, you can expect more crowds and accommodations and activities to be relatively more expensive. If you prefer to have a laid-back vacation or if you have a limited budget for your trip, then you might want to consider going in the late fall or winter, as this is quietest the time at the park and is also when most of the hotels and resorts in the area offer discounted rates for their accommodations and services.
- Decide Where You Would Be Staying
There are plenty of options, as far as Grand Canyon accommodations are concerned, so finding one that would suit your needs and budget should not be too difficult. You can choose to stay at one of the hotels that are in the park or you can opt to book at room at a hotel which is located in nearby areas such as Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff, and Page/Lake Powell. Once you have decided on a hotel or resort, make sure that you would be booking a room right away. As always, it would be best if you can book your accommodations months before your actual vacation to get the best rates and to make sure that you would be able to book your room during the dates on which you are planning to have your vacation.
- Put Together An Itinerary For Your Trip
This is another important step in planning your Grand Canyon vacation, mainly because there are tons of things to see and do at this world-famous destination. By creating a trip itinerary, you can be sure that you would be able to see and experience everything that the Grand Canyon is able to offer during your stay. Some of the attractions that you might not want to miss visiting include Grand Canyon Village, Desert View, Hermit’s Rest, Havasu Falls, Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, Grandview Point, the Tusayan Museum, and the Yavapai Geology Museum. As for activities, some of the most recommended include rafting, hiking, biking, camping, going on a guided tour, and flight seeing.
About Author:
“Irina Kirilov is a Romanian blogger who specializes in travel articles and social media promotions. She is currently working for Thrifty Bucharest, a car rental company in Bucharest, Romania. Connect with Irina on Twitter at @carhireromania”