what to do for a weekend at the grand canyon

Grand Canyon Weekend Trip Guide: Itinerary, Where to stay, Packing List

In this Grand Canyon Weekend Trip guide, I will share where to stay near the K Canyon for a trip to the Due south Rim, what to pack for a trip to the M Coulee, and our detailed weekend trip itinerary with tons of tips and what nosotros learned from our experience. Along with a full day and a half exploring the Grand Canyon, our itinerary too included stops at Antelope Coulee and Horseshoe Bend (full blog post on our day trip to Folio, Arizona coming shortly!). This itinerary is the perfect way to explore Arizona'due south top natural wonders in a weekend.

Equally you probably know past now, Peter and I love hiking and enjoying the beauty of our National Parks. To name a few, we've recently been to Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park a couple of times now. But I had yet to visit one of America'southward well-nigh famous, one of the natural wonders of the earth: Grand Canyon National Park. This was my first time visiting the Grand Canyon. And now I tin say, information technology is indeed "Grand".

The 1000 Canyon was so grand in fact that information technology was almost unbelievable, similar some painted backdrop from an old Goggle box series. It was unfathomable to me. Whether it was considering of the distance to the opposite rim (which is an average of x miles wide), or the tiny river I could only simply make out below (the Thou Canyon is a mile deep), I don't recall it always actually fully striking me as being existent. I believe that anybody should visit the Grand Canyon at least once in their lifetime to experience this unimaginable landscape. May this blog post assist you lot in doing that!

Table of Contents

Where to stay nearly the Grand Coulee
What to pack for your trip
Day ane: Total day Grand Canyon
– Admission Fee
– Company Centre
– Hiking Hermit Trail
– Where to Swallow
– Sunset at Powell Point
24-hour interval ii: Half day Grand Coulee, Half day Page
– Desert View Watchtower
– 24-hour interval Trip to Page, Arizona (Glen Coulee, Antelope Coulee, Horseshoe Bend)
– Other things to practise at the 1000 Canyon (instead of a Page day trip)

Where to stay nearly the Grand Canyon

Here is a list of options of where to stay near the Southward Rim of the Grand Canyon. These are the very same options that I researched for our own weekend trip to the Grand Canyon, but most of which were already booked because nosotros didn't program the trip far enough in accelerate.

Note: Star ratings for hotels are according to Google'southward star ranking.

Lodging inside the park

Lodging within the park is the most user-friendly, though it comes at a college price and is highly sought afterwards. Whether you go a hotel or a camping site, brand sure to book long in advance. The lodging inside the National Park sells out quickly.Especially if you're planning your weekend trip to the Grand Canyon over a vacation weekend! Effort to book 6 months in advance.

Hotels

If you can swing it, I would peculiarly recommend the El Tovar Hotel. This historic hotel dates back to 1905 and is not simply located inside the park, but sits on the rim of the 1000 Coulee!

Unfortunately we oasis't had the take a chance to stay hither yet, just it is totally on the bucket listing.

iii-star: El Tovar Hotel
2-star: Yavapai Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Kachina Social club
1-star: Bright Affections Guild, Thunderbird Lodge

Camping

Mather Campground, Trailer Village RV Park, Desert View Campground (showtime come, get-go served)

Lodging outside the park

Booking lodging outside of the park will require a bulldoze to go into the park each day but volition offer more options. The small-scale town of Tusayan is only vii miles south of the Chiliad Canyon Village. The further from the One thousand Canyon you get, the cheaper accommodation y'all will exist likely to find.

Hotels in Tusayan

iv-star: All-time Western Premier K Canyon Squire Inn
3-star: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, Thousand Canyon Plaza Hotel, Vacation Inn Express
2-star: Red Feather Society

Hotels in Valle

3-star: Dumplin Patch Bed & Breakfast
two-star: Grand Coulee Inn and Motel (where we stayed)
Glamping: Nether Sheet Grand Coulee

Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you lot book a hotel through one of these chapter links, we will receive a modest committee at no actress cost to you. Thank you lot!

Camping vs. Hotel

Camping at the Thou Canyon gives you a more in-depth experience of the park, closer to nature dark and day. It can also be much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Specially if you pack food and cook some of your ain meals over the campfire. Camping is also a lot of fun! Talk about an excuse to make some s'mores. Next time we visit the 1000 Coulee we are hoping to try camping inside the park at the Mather Campground.

Of course, the question of camping ground vs. hotel all depends on your travel style and priorities for your weekend trip. We decided we wanted the convenience of a hotel then we wouldn't have to spend any of our limited fourth dimension setting upwards a tent, etc. We as well considered that after a long day of hiking, a comfy mattress to sleep on might allow united states of america to recover ameliorate and exist refreshed and ready to start the next twenty-four hours. Not to mention that all of the camping sites at the park were already sold out past the fourth dimension we went to book…

Tip: The National Parks' onsite camping ground sites sell out speedily, so book far in advance! A general dominion of pollex I've heard forall National Park campgrounds is to try to book 6 months in advance.

Where nosotros stayed

For our weekend trip to the Grand Canyon, we stayed at the Grand Canyon Inn & Cabin in Valle, Arizona. Information technology's about a 40-minute drive n to the One thousand Canyon Visitor Middle at the starting time of the National Park. Information technology was a nice, "ma and pa" institution with a lot of charm. Much more than interesting than staying at one of your standard, big name hotels.

All-time of all: it wasmuch cheaper than anything we could have booked inside the park. And it was conveniently located next to a gas station, and across the road is the strange Flintstone's Park.

The Chiliad Canyon Inn has an attached restaurant that serves breakfast, tiffin, and dinner as well as a cocktail lounge. On our final forenoon before our drive home, nosotros got breakfast at the hotel and it was delicious. Zero beats a classic, diner-manner breakfast.

Book your stay: Grand Coulee Inn & Motel on Hotels.com

What to pack for a trip to the Grand Coulee

Here are my general recommendations on what to pack for a trip to the 1000 Canyon. Particularly for a first-time visitor like u.s.a. just doing some moderate difficulty hiking and sightseeing. If you programme on doing more intense hiking or pack-in, pack-out overnight hikes, you'll need to supplement this list with your specific needs.

You tin see my full list of travel gear also as my camera equipment over on the Gear page.

What season you visit

Your clothing and gear will vary depending on what time of year you visit. Of grade, if you're going in the dead of winter or annihilation crazy similar that this list would have to be modified with warmer wearing apparel suitable for hiking, crampons, and hiking poles.

Temperatures vary a lot at the K Canyon

Our weekend trip was nearly the finish of May, and the conditions was very choosy. During the 24-hour interval the temperatures were in the low 70s and high 60s (Fahrenheit), while at night they dropped to the 40s. This meant on the days nosotros stayed out to watch the sunset we had to be prepared for both. And on our hike down into the coulee, there was at least a 10-15 caste difference from the acme of the canyon to the lesser.

On our concluding mean solar day, during the start of our drive back abode, it actually snowed! The temperature dropped to 33 degrees Fahrenheit (virtually 0.5° Celsius) and the canyon got a blanket of snow. Simply subsequently a couple of hours of driving to a lower elevation, the temperatures climbed to 80°F (near 27°C). We were lucky that this snow tempest didn't happen during i of the principal days of our weekend trip, but merely so you know the weather can be somewhat unpredictable thanks to the high elevation of the Grand Coulee.

Clothing – Bring layers

Here is a full general list of what clothing to pack for your trip to the Grand Canyon. I recommend bringing layers to prepare for the varying temperatures. For a weekend trip, yous only really need i-two sets of hiking clothing and, if y'all're annihilation similar me, 1 beautiful outfit for the times you're not hiking.

• Lite athletic jacket

• Breathable top

• Athletic pants

• Athletic shorts (if you're visiting in the summer)

• Light gloves (if you're visiting in the cooler months, nosotros brought them and they came in handy for dusk and at nighttime when temperatures dropped)

• 2-four pairs of thick, tall socks (I layer 2 pairs each day to avoid blisters)

• Cute outfit for pictures (for Day 2 where there are no difficult hikes)

• PJs, undies, etc. Duh!

Hiking Essentials

Hiking Boots

A quality pair of hiking boots will lock your ankles in place and provide awesome grip to aid you climb the steep inclines with ease. Peter and I both have the Oboz Bridger boots.

Hiking Bag

A good, comfortable hiking purse is important to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, telephone, and actress wearable, and photographic camera gear. I use the Osprey Daylite Plus hiking pocketbook, which has a specific pocket and clip designed to fit the Osprey water reservoir likewise.

Water

Bring lots of water. I recommend a water bladder that fits into your hiking bag for easy access to water throughout the hike without having to finish. Nosotros have a 2.5lt Osprey Hydraulics reservoir.

Sunscreen

Call up to bring sunscreen since you'll be exterior all twenty-four hour period. Especially if you fire easily like my and Peter. My favorite sunscreen is COSRX Aloe Soothing Dominicus Cream SPF50 considering it goes on lite like lotion, without those dreaded white streaks.

Sunglasses / Hat

Go along the sun out of your eyes with some polarized sunglasses and mayhap fifty-fifty a lid. I brought my Sloggers Wide Brim hat and information technology was perfect. Peter wore a baseball cap.

Snacks

Make sure to bring some snacks to continue your energy up. Talking to a park ranger, they specifically recommended having salty snacks. We packed Goldfish, Turkey hasty, and Clif bars.

Offset Help Kit

You can get a small first help kit that will fit in your handbag (like this mini Coleman First Aid Kit), or DIY 1 with items around the house. We brought tons of Bandaids, but in example of blisters. Information technology's practiced to have some antiseptic similar Neosporin and possibly some Advil or Tylenol too.

The product links to a higher place are Amazon chapter links. If y'all practice brand a buy through one of the links I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to yous, helping to fund my side by side trip. I appreciate it!

Twenty-four hour period ane: Hiking in the Thou Canyon, Sunset at Powell Betoken

Our first full twenty-four hour period at the Grand Canyon! We woke upward bright and early on at six:30am to make the most of our 24-hour interval and to become ahead of the inevitable crowds due to the holiday weekend. Along the drive from our hotel in Valle to the 1000 Canyon National Park archway virtually xl minutes away, nosotros stopped at the McDonalds in Tusayan for a quick breakfast and coffee.

Access Fee to the K Canyon

At the archway to the park, yous'll demand to pay the admission fee or present your Annual Park Laissez passer. Admission is $35 for one vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, and $20 for an individual on a bicycle or walking in. Peter and I take the "America the Cute" pass that costs $80 for a year for entrance to all National Parks and Federal Lands. Well worth the coin if y'all're planning on visiting a few National Parks within a year.

Check the Fees & Passes folio on the Grand Coulee NPS website for current prices and information.

Vistor Center

Offset stop of the day: the Yard Canyon Visitor Eye. Whenever we first get to a National Park, or any park for that matter, we like to stop at the visitor center to get a lay of the land and talk to the park rangers for recommendations.

Plan Your Hikes

During our planning for this trip, nosotros had determined that nosotros would take fourth dimension for one full-day hike. We were stuck between doing a portion of either the Grandview Trail or the Hermit Trail. Later on discussing it with a park ranger, we quickly learned that the Grandview Trail would exist much more hard and every bit nosotros were hiking with a friend who is new to hiking (she only bought her own pair of Oboz Bridger boots and was breaking them in on this trip), nosotros decided against it.

Another Pick: Bright Affections Trail

Another very popular trail that you may consider for your own trip to the Thou Canyon is the Brilliant Angel Trail. The entire trail is 17.7 miles, but you tin can go far every bit easy or difficult equally you lot would like. In that location are many unlike residual houses along the trail at various mile markers such as one.5 Mile and 3 Miles that nearly people opt for as their endpoint before turning around. Bank check out the NPS Solar day Hike Bright Affections Trail guide for more information.

The reason we didn't consider the Bright Angel Trail and were instead contemplating betwixt the Grandview and Hermit trails was that information technology is perhaps the most popular hike at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. And every bit our weekend trip was during a holiday weekend (Memorial Day) it was certain to be fifty-fifty more decorated and crowded. After doing our research, nosotros learned that these other trails would be only equally cute and rewarding merely with less of the crowds.

The Bright Angel Trail begins right beside the Visitor Eye. Its convenient access is probably another reason it'south and so popular. The other two trails crave some driving or riding a shuttle bus to get to their trailheads.

Shuttle Buses

From the Visitor Centre, we hopped on 1 of the complimentary Grand Canyon shuttle buses, riding the Bluish Route to the Hermit'southward Rest Transfer where we then took the Red Route to the end. It was well-nigh a 45min trip. Along the way, we had plenty of astonishing views of the canyon from our window likewise as a couple stops for elk crossing!

Bank check out all of the Due south Rim shuttle bus routes on the Grand Canyon NPS Shuttle Bus page.

Hiking Hermit Trail

Hermit Trail Day Hike

The Hermit Trail is a 15.4 mile, out and dorsum trail that takes hikers into the coulee down to the Colorado River. For a Hermit Trail day hike, you can pick one of the points along the trail as your final destination earlier heading back. This fashion you tin can tailor the hike to adjust your desired distance and bachelor time. Cheque out this NPS Day Hiking Hermit Trail guide which includes a list of destinations with time and distance mapped out. It's actually the same guide that the park ranger at the Visitor Heart gave to u.s.a..

Hiking Down The Canyon

Before embarking on our hike, we chose Santa Maria Spring (ii.five miles in with an estimated roundtrip time of 4-6 hours) as our endpoint. With gravity on our side, hiking downwards wasn't too draining. The constant pressure on my knees did eventually start to hurt though and I could meet how a pair of hiking poles would have come in handy!

In what felt like no time we were on level footing at the bottom of the side canyon. From there, a little more hiking downwards, around a corner, and we were beginning our mode along the inside of the canyon toward the Colorado River. Once we reached Santa Maria Spring – a little jump of untreated natural water beside a shaded balance shack – we left the main trail and plant a prissy rocky outcropping to take our lunch of granola bars and nuts.

Normally on a hike, y'all're goingup and earn yourself an incredible view at the endpoint or summit. It felt a little counterintuitive to be moving down into this side coulee away from the grandeur at the top of the 1000 Canyon. I do call up when we get the adventure to return, making the unabridged hike to the Colorado River would provide this sort of reward. Notwithstanding, the view from the Santa Maria Jump rest stop, peaking around the corner into the main portion of the M Coulee, was stunning.

The Hike Back Upwardly

From Santa Maria Bound we turned back towards the trail from which we had come. We fabricated our way around the inside of the canyon wall and through the flat oasis of the side coulee. But that was the like shooting fish in a barrel function. Now we had to hike back up the side of the canyon, some ane,680 anxiety of elevation change completed over steep switchbacks.

Hiking down was certainly easier than going back up. The rocky steps of the trail before united states were like a StairMaster on steroids. Soon enough, we were out of breath and our thighs and calves were called-for. Every few switchbacks, we stopped to sit down and grab our breath. Especially for our friend that wasn't used to such strenuous hiking, the stops were necessary. Peter used a mixture of bullying, bribery, and encouragement to become her through the entire hike. (Proud of you, Melina!)

Eventually, with heaving breath, nosotros reached the top. We completed the entire roundtrip hike to Santa Maria Spring in 4.5 hours. Not too shabby!

Hermit'southward Rest Snack Bar

To celebrate our ascension, we stopped into the Hermit's Rest Snack Bar at the showtime of the trailhead for some ice cream. Peter had a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich and I had a chocolate-covered Häagen-Dazs water ice cream bar. Yumm. From the patio of the cafe, we had a wonderful view of the expanse we had merely conquered while enjoying our ice cream.

Information technology was time to take hold of the bus back into the Grand Canyon Village for some real food. And maybe a beer. The 45-minute jitney ride gave us the chance to residuum our tired feet.

Where to eat in the Grand Canyon Village

After our long hike, we were starving (ignore the ice cream that nosotros had just eaten). A quick search fabricated information technology clear that our only sit-downward nutrient options in the Grand Canyon Village area,so we wouldn't take to drive to a nearby town and back in fourth dimension for sunset, were pretty much at the lodges. I might be missing something, but below are all of the dining options I could observe in the Yard Coulee Village.

Canyon views, college prices: Arizona Room (Bright Affections Lodge), El Tovar Dining Room (El Tovar Hotel),probably should make reservations ahead of time for these
Mid-Range: Yavapai Tavern (Yavapai Lodge), Harvey House Café (Bright Angel Lodge)
Cafeteria Dining: Yavapai Eating house (Yavapai Order), Maswik Food Courtroom (Maswik Lodge)

Another cheaper option would be to grab some snacks from the Canyon Village Market and have a picnic at 1 of the overlooks. But since we brought our own snacks for our lunches, this would be our but meal at the Grand Coulee during our weekend trip and we wanted to treat ourselves.

Dinner at Yavapai Tavern

For our dinner, nosotros chose to eat at the Yavapai Tavern. Mostly considering we wanted skillful food and a local craft beer at a squeamish sit-down environment. Not to be confused with the main Yavapai Gild Restaurant, which is more of a cafeteria mode, casual eatery with tons of food options.

The Yavapai Tavern has a relaxed but hip setting and an outdoor patio, where we ended upwards sitting. In that location are even some lawn games outside for patrons to relish. The tavern offers your standard bar fare with some Arizona flair (such as Bison Sliders). I was happy with our determination to eat here for our one meal in the One thousand Canyon. High-quality and fun, but didn't break the depository financial institution.

Grand Canyon Village Marketplace

Fully recuperated from dinner, we made the short walk from Yavapai Order to the Canyon Village Market place. The market is a full general store and deli selling tons of nice Grand Coulee souvenirs, camping and hiking supplies, and groceries.

I picked upwardly a set of postcards and a Yard Canyon emblazoned hoodie sweatshirt – it was chillier at the Grand Canyon than I had predictable and it would only exist getting colder! We also bought some snacks to enjoy while we watched the sunset. For those that may be wondering, unlike our experience in Yosemite, we were told that drinking inside the Grand Canyon National Park is not allowed. They probably don't want anyone drinking too much and falling into the canyon. Fair enough.

Watching the dusk at Powell Point

That morning during our finish at the Visitor Center, we had asked the park ranger where she recommended going to watch the sunset over the Grand Coulee. She told the states to get to Powell Point and discover a spot betwixt Powell Bespeak and the nearby Hopi Bespeak to sit down and watch. You can go to Powell Point on the Red Route of the free Grand Coulee shuttle autobus system.

It was really busy

During the crowded bus ride to Powell Betoken and upon arrival, it was clear that we weren't the only ones who had the brilliant idea to come here for sunset. The unabridged expanse including and betwixt Powell Point and Hobi Bespeak was decorated. To be completely fair, we were visiting the Grand Coulee during a vacation weekend and everything was much more than crowded than usual. Visiting during whatsoever standard weekend would probable be less crazy.

Get there early to secure a spot

Come early on to secure a good spot. If you lot're planning on sitting and enjoying the view like us, wait for a spot where no one can walk in front of you.

Our initial spot had some walking room in front of us because we didn't want to sit directly on the border of the canyon, but for the duration of fourth dimension we were there, people were constantly walking through to go a moving picture. At one betoken there was a line of peopleright side by side to us waiting for a picture (I'm talking there was a butt a few inches from my confront). Some people don't have spacial awareness or courtesy so don't gear up yourself upward for this.

Prophylactic First

Nosotros hadn't sat directly on the ledge in forepart of us for a reason – it was a rock overhanging the canyon and didn't really seem rubber to be correct on the edge of. Merely we had to watch group afterward grouping sit and hang their legs over the side for a picture. It was nerve-wracking. I'm amazed no one savage. It put me in a bad mood and was ruining my experience before we decided to move.

Pick a spot where no i can walk in front of you but is still a rubber distance from the edge. Subsequently realizing the faults of our outset spot, we moved to an expanse off the path past a tree. At that place was some brush that blocked anyone from walking direct in forepart of united states of america but didn't obscure our view.

Alternatively, stake out a spot forth the railing at one of the overlooks. In that location, no 1 tin can block your view, but you lot'll accept to stand for the entirety of sunset and if information technology's a busy weekend like ours was, you'll likely exist very crowded.

Our Plan For Sunset Next Time

Next fourth dimension we're at the Chiliad Canyon for sunset, we decided we would bulldoze to one of the overlooks farther away that aren't reachable by the costless shuttle bus organisation. If you accept a car, driving 30min to the East and stopping at one of the many other overlooks between the Grand Coulee Hamlet and the Desert View overlook would provide just as beautiful of views. And because it isn't quite every bit easily accessible, they surely wouldn't exist as busy.

We thought of this on our second day at the G Canyon during our drive to run across the Desert View Watchtower. There were SO many designated overlooks and even merely unproblematic car pull-off areas where ane could get to watch the sunset in a more peaceful setting.

Watching the Sunset Over the One thousand Canyon

Despite the initial headache of dealing with the crowds, it was all well worth it in the terminate. Witnessing the sun set over the Grand Canyon was cute. We watched as the lord's day painted the coulee in striking oranges and reds before information technology dipped below the horizon. In its absence, the landscape cooled to hues of blueish and purple as the sky grew darker. This was definitely a highlight of our 1000 Canyon weekend trip.

Check out this gif I fabricated by combining multiple images of the Grand Canyon that I took while nosotros watched the dusk! Information technology compressed the file then the paradigm quality isn't so sharp, but information technology'southward fun right?

Day 2: Half day Grand Coulee, 24-hour interval trip to Page

Day 2 began much like 24-hour interval i of our weekend trip to the Grand Canyon – with an early alarm. We wanted to make the nigh of our short trip. It was already the second andconcludingfull day of our trip and we had a TON planned. Not merely were nosotros going to explore some more of the Grand Canyon, just we were driving to northern Arizona to see ii of the country's other natural wonders: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Desert View Watchtower

I had seen images of the Desert View Watchtower on various M Coulee postcards and travel guides and wanted to see the ancient-looking construction for myself. It was in the direction we would have to be driving to get to Page, Arizona, afterward that day, so it worked into our schedule seamlessly. And information technology was well worth the visit!

Despite the holiday weekend, information technology was quite peaceful here. This was probable due in role to the early morn outset we had and also considering to become hither required a drive.

How to get to the Desert View Watchtower

Unlike the sites we had visited the previous twenty-four hours, the Desert View Watchtower was not reachable by the Thou Canyon'due south free shuttle bus system. To accomplish the Desert View indicate where the tower is located, you must drive eastward of the Grand Canyon Company Center for 22.iv miles, about a 36-minute drive. Here is the route from the Visitor Center to Desert View on Google Maps.

Tip: Throughout our weekend trip to the Grand Canyon, all of our cellphone service'southward were pretty spotty. I would recommenddownloading some of the Google Maps of the area before your trip if you're not so cracking with directions.

Once you get in at the Desert View point, there is a large parking lot to park your car. From there it's just a curt walk to the Desert View Watchtower. No hiking required. Here you lot can as well find the Desert View Campground, a picnic expanse, and the Desert View Market and Deli.

History of the Watchtower

The Desert View Watchtower was built in 1932, designed past Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, who was known as the "architect of the southwest". Her goal was to pattern the structure so that is would blend into the environment. She said,"Kickoff and most of import, was to design a building that would get part of its surroundings; one that would create no discordant annotation confronting the time eroded walls of this promontory." Read more nigh the tower and its cosmos on the NPS Desert View Watchtower page.

Inside the Watchtower

Within of the seventy-foot tall tower, yous will discover the walls and ceilings decorated with striking murals. The murals on the main floor were created by Fred Kabotie, a member of the Hopi Native American tribe from 2d Mesa. According to the Desert View Watchtower NPS web page, these murals "represent the physical and spiritual origins of Hopi life". And the ceiling paintings, past Fred Geary, "are recreations of images from Abo Rockshelter, now part of Salinas National Monument in New Mexico".

Our Feel

Somewhat to my surprise, this was probably my favorite out of all the things we did in our time at the Grand Canyon during our weekend trip. Ordinarily, the hikes of a trip accept more than of a lasting impression on me, but the Desert View Watchtower was magnificent. Mary Colter succeeded in creating a structure that not only blended in with the mural of the Grand Canyon but also added to it. The dazzler of the canyon and the watchtower itself made for an unbeatable picturesque view.

Once we had walked through the Watchtower and explored its seven levels and lookout deck, we establish a demote a short walk away from the tower and stopped to enjoy the view. Hither we sat in awe and tranquillity delectation for quite some fourth dimension. We watched the people, the hawks dancing overhead, and marveled at the coulee. But eventually, nosotros peeled ourselves away and head dorsum to the car to begin the next leg of our journey.

One thousand Canyon Postcard

Along with Adventures with Pinny, I have an Etsy store called Wander Press where I sell handmade, letterpress greeting cards and postcards of the places nosotros travel to.

Day Trip to Page, Arizona

Why Page, Arizona?

While we could take easily spent this entire mean solar day further exploring the One thousand Coulee, we decided to carve up up our weekend trip with a day trip to Page, Arizona. Merely nosotros weren't necessarily interested in the city of Page itself. Along with the Grand Canyon, Arizona is home to many other natural wonders worth visiting. From Folio, it'due south but a short drive to visit the famous American landmarks of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

We had visited Horseshoe Curve briefly during our road trip to California, but Antelope Canyon was loftier on our bucketlist and we couldn't refuse the opportunity to visit. There are also a ton of other beautiful sites to see in the area thank you to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Our Day Trip to Page

Driving east towards the Desert View Watchtower gave us a head start on our bulldoze to Page, Arizona. The drive would but take about one hour and l minutes rather than the 2 hours and 40 minutes it would have taken from our hotel, the Grand Canyon Inn in Valle.

During our day trip to Page, we stopped at Lone Rock, Glen Canyon Dam, toured Antelope Canyon, and watched the sunset at Horseshoe Curve. It was a very decorated twenty-four hours!

Read more: 24-hour interval Trip to Folio, Arizona: Horseshoe Curve, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon

Antelope Canyon

Our favorite office of our trip to Northern Arizona was taking a tour through Upper Antelope Coulee. There were a lot of things that we didn't know ahead of fourth dimension (did you know that a guide is required to visit Antelope Canyon?) so it was somewhat stressful, simply everything worked out and it was completely worth information technology in the cease. Antelope Canyon was scenic. I definitely recommend visiting if you have the opportunity during your own M Canyon weekend trip.

Read more: What you should know before visiting Antelope Canyon

Other things to do in the Grand Coulee

If y'all'd rather not bulldoze to Page to visit Glen Coulee, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, fear not! There are a million options of other things to do in the Grand Canyon to fill the remainder of Day ii of your weekend trip. Here are just a few ideas.

Half Day Hikes

After spending the early morning visiting the Desert View Watchtower, nosotros still had a couple of hours until lunchtime and the entire afternoon left of Solar day 2. If you lot're staying in the Grand Canyon, one could easily fit another hike or two in!

Listed beneath are only a few of the other hikes we were interested in doing but didn't go to do during our weekend trip. With all of these hikes, similar the Hermit Trail hike, y'all tin make them as long or brusque as y'all would like depending on when you turn dorsum.

Bright Angel Trail
Grandview Trail
South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

For more hike options, bank check out AllTrail'south list of All-time Trails in Grand Coulee National Park.

Accept a Picnic

For tiffin or dinner, it would be fun and cost-effective to have a picnic at the M Canyon. At nearly every viewpoint and all along the rim at that place are stops with picnic tables for visitors to relax and enjoy the view. Even without a picnic table, yous could pack a blanket and lay it out somewhere off the beaten path along the rim (similar to our setup to watch the sunset at Powell Bespeak).

If you lot didn't bring food for a picnic on your weekend trip, yous tin can easily stop at the Canyon Village Market place and pick upwardly what you demand. They offer a total marketplace and deli pick. I'thousand actually kind of distressing we didn't get to do a picnic similar this during our trip!

Rent a Wheel and Ride the Paved Trails

During our weekend in the Grand Canyon, nosotros noticed the same rental bicycles lined up at trailheads and being ridden past visitors throughout the park. We learned that there is a bicycle rental company called Bright Angel Bicycles that operates within the park. Wouldn't that be fun to hire a wheel and ride along the many paved trails that follow the M Canyon's rim? If you're not sure where to kickoff, they offering guided tours too.

Bright Angel Bicycles can be constitute adjacent to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Bike rental rates are available for ane-60 minutes, half day, total day, and multi-24-hour interval. One adult bike rental for a full twenty-four hour period costs $40 plus taxation. Bank check out the Bike Rental Rates page on the Bright Angel Bicycles website for all of the pricing.

Take a Helicopter Tour of the Chiliad Canyon

This option ain't inexpensive. Simply if yous take the money to spare, I imagine it would be totally worth it. We talked to i tourist who had taken a helicopter tour of the One thousand Canyon and they swore it was the all-time part of their trip effectually the U.s.a. thus far. The Grand Canyon is merely so big it most looks the same from any viewpoint along the South Rim, so a alter in perspective would probably have a dramatic impact.

A few of the summit One thousand Canyon helicopter tour companies include Maverick Helicopters, Papillon, and K Canyon Helicopters. The helicopter tours generally range from 30min to an hour long. Expect to pay anywhere from $175 to $300 per person depending on which tour you choose.

End of our Weekend Trip to the Grand Coulee

It was almost a 3-hr bulldoze back to our hotel from Folio. Nosotros got back to the Thousand Canyon Inn & Cabin around 11pm and immediately went to bed, exhausted from the long day full of take chances.

This was the terminate of our weekend trip to the Grand Canyon. The adjacent morning time we would exist leaving start thing after breakfast to drive the 7-hour (8 hours with traffic) stretch back dwelling to Southern California. While I wish we could have stayed longer than a weekend, I am so grateful for the fourth dimension we got to spend exploring the Grand Coulee and other natural wonders of Arizona. A weekend trip to the Grand Canyon is a weekend well spent!

Take you ever been to the 1000 Canyon?

Accept yous visited the Grand Canyon before? Or are you planning a weekend trip to the M Canyon and have a question near my experience? Please let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you found this Grand Canyon Weekend Trip itinerary useful in planning your own trip to this cute National Park. Save it for later on using one of the Pinterest images below or share it with your travel buddy using the social share icons. Cheers for stopping by!

Make sure to bank check out the defended postal service about our solar day trip to Page, Arizona and what you should know before visiting Antelope Canyon.

Hullo! Nosotros're Linny and Peter, but you can call us "Pinny". Nosotros're the travel-loving couple backside Adventures with Pinny. We currently live in Southern California but travel every chance that nosotros tin get.

boyettewilbeend.blogspot.com

Source: https://adventureswithpinny.com/blog/grand-canyon-weekend-trip

Share this post