Grand Canyon trip and what else?

[Bdiddy11]

My wife and I are wanting to go on vacation... somewhere stateside that would be fairly cheap as opposed to going foreign.

I mentioned the Grand Canyon would be fun so we can camp/hike/explore etc...

Now for those of you in the area, what else is there to do in the Grand Canyon and surrounding area?

[aszaunmi]

Take the Grand Canyon Railway

http://www.thetrain.com/

[KRAKER]

There isn't much "near" GC. You could go to the havasupai reservation and see some cool falls and pools though.

[Bdiddy11]

Doesn't necessarily have to be near near the GC. But in the general area. Within an hour or so. Not sure where we'll be staying yet. But looking for things to do within a day's trip time.

We're from Boise and have no relatives or friends in AZ and have never visited so we know pretty much diddily squat on what there is to do.

Only thing we got goin for us in AZ is that our Boise State Broncos have been there recently =)

[ubercurtisb]

Ah, the Grand Canyon... Arguably the most beautiful Wonders of the World. Depending on when you want to go, there are a few good trails that lead right up to The Big Ditch. The problem you'll have in late winter/early spring is the possibility of those trails being closed by the FS due to snow and mud and inaccessibility. Late spring/early summer is a great time to go. One of my favorite spots is Point Sublime, on the North Rim. It's not a Rok Krawling trail, but actually an overlander's delight that's pretty family friendly, depending on the family. It is a "rough road" that can have new obstacles and sights to see every time you go, so bring a recovery kit with you if you do decide to.

Here's a link to a slide show created by one of my pals, Mark D. Stephens. (http://www.markdstephens.com/pointsublime/pages/image000.html)

[James98XJ]

Mesa Verde National Park is in the general area as well. If you want to go to the 4 Corners, do that. There are all kinda of interesting things to do up there. Durango,CO is also a very neat little area and not too far if I remember correctly.

[AZXJ]

http://www.nps.gov/CACH/index.htm

Would be better since you can actually wheel (lightly) in this area..

[Bdiddy11]

Not really lookin to wheel. Either gonna fly down and rent a vehicle or drive our Tacoma down.

[tbburg]

If you drive down, and have a little time:

Come out on 70. Right at the Colorado/Utah border, turn south on 128 or 191. You'll pass right by Arches N.P. Jump back up onto 70, then turn south on 24. It'll take you through Capital reef N.P.Get through there, turn south on 12 and go to Brice Canyon. pick up 89 s. as you leave Brice headed west, and you'll pass within 30 miles of Zion N.P. Keep following 89 south into AZ, and you'll end up at the turnoff to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. For my money, the North rim is nicer then the South. 'Lot less commercial, only the NP Lodge/cabins, no hotels and crap.

From there, if you have time, you can follow 89 around to the east, or I-15 to the west, cross one of the big dams on the Colorado R.(Hoover dam(W) or Glen canyon dam(E)and circle back around to the south rim.

Unfortunately the Arches/Capital/Brice/Zion takes about 4 days to do quick, sightsee by day, drive evenings/early mornings or a couple weeks if you stop and hike.

If you fly in to Phoenix, you can take the scenic route north. Take 60 to Wickenberg, pick up 89N through Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona and into Flagstaff. (This is a scenic route, not a fast route.) Even if you just take I-17 up to Flagstaff, take a couple hours and drive east on I-40 and stop by Meteor Crater. Yeah, it's just a hole in the ground, but it's a BIG hole in the ground!

[DaJudge]

When are you looking to do this and for how many days?