Grand Canyon, Arizona
As millions of visitors have learned, Grand Canyon National Park takes several visits to fully experience. With hundreds of miles of Rim to explore and just as many miles of trails “below the rim”, the possibilities for adventure are endless.
RV Vacations to Grand Canyon National Park
RV campers, in particular, enjoy the Grand Canyon because they can camp in luxury by booking an RV rental through El Monte RV. Whether you choose the less developed North Rim or the popular South Rim, travelling there by motorhome is definitely the way to go.
Located eighty miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, this natural wonder is just a half-day’s drive from Phoenix/Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). Travelers coming from the West may want to fly into Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS), instead.
Vacationing on a Budget
If you’re like most motorhome campers, you’ll want to spend time discovering several National Parks sites each year. That’s why the National Parks Service offers an annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that gives you free access to their locations. Combining this Pass with a money-saving El Monte RV motorhome rental gives you the most adventure for your vacation dollars.
Your First Visit to Grand Canyon National Park
First time visitors often choose to visit the South Rim, home to many of the most popular trails and overlooks within the Park. Also on the South Rim, you’ll find Grand Canyon Village, a National Historic Site. Filled with history, the Village features free art exhibits at Kolb Studio, as well as a full range of services for park visitors.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a much “wilder” experience, as this area is not nearly as developed as the South Rim. Two hundred miles from the South Rim area, and eight thousand feet in elevation, you’ll find the North Rim cooler and more rugged.
No matter which areas you choose to visit at Grand Canyon National Park, we suggest parking your motorhome at one of the many campgrounds and using the free shuttle bus that runs to all major attractions.
Speaking of attractions, photographers will be overwhelmed with the photo opportunities within the Park. In addition to the breathtaking vistas of the Canyon itself, you can expect to see bighorn sheep, eagles, elk and mountain lions, just to name a few of the resident mammals. The Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring, no matter what the season, so plan to visit it year-round to build your portfolio.
For the adventurous vacationer, there’s nothing quite like whitewater rafting through the Canyon. More than a dozen adventure outfitting firms offer rafting trips down the Colorado River. All levels of whitewater rafting are available, with trips from one to twenty eight days in length. If you’re planning to create a private float trip, you’ll need to sign up in advance for the annual lottery in which a limited number of private “river running” permits are awarded.
Hike, camp, take a float trip or simply drink in the scenery from an overlook; Grand Canyon National Park doesn’t disappoint. See our list of “Must See Sites” below and start planning your RV camping vacation today.
Must See Sites at the Grand Canyon
- Mather Point: as you come into the Park on the South Entrance Road, you’ll soon find Mather Point, a popular overlook featuring spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. Definitely worth a stop, especially if it’s your first visit!
- Yavapai Point: continuing on from Mather Point, you’ll find Yavapai Point, another fantastic place to see a panoramic view of the Canyon. Take time to tour the geological displays while you’re there for a quick lesson in the formation of the Grand Canyon.
- Hermit Road Shuttle Bus Tour: tour buses will be the only vehicles allowed on the newly restored Hermit Road scenic drive after March 1, 2009, but shuttle buses and commercial tours make this seven-mile drive comfortable and accessible. Take the tour to Hermits Rest and Hermit Trailhead, as well as five other popular overlooks, for a wonderful sample of Grand Canyon vistas.
- Desert View Drive: challenge the kids to climb the stairs inside the Watchtower, a stone structure patterned from Pueblo Indian architecture. At the top, you’ll have the best view along the entire South Rim. Continue to follow Desert View Drive for magnificent views of Vermillion Cliffs, Marble Canyon, and other famous formations.
- South Kaibab Trail: itching to explore the Grand Canyon “below the rim”? Take the shuttle bus to South Kaibab Trailhead and hike six miles to Skeleton Point for views you simply can’t see from the Rim.
- Bright Angel Trail: another nicely maintained trail which descends below the Rim is Bright Angel Trail. Hike the entire four and a half miles to Indian Garden, or make the turnaround at the One-and-a-Half or Three-Mile Rest House. An extremely scenic trail, Bright Angel also links to trails beyond Indian Garden that lead all the way to the canyon floor at Phantom Ranch.
- Grand Canyon West/Grand Canyon Skywalk: The Hualapai Indian Nation has developed a number of attractions in the Grand Canyon West area, about two hundred forty miles from the South Rim. The spectacular new Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended four thousand feet above the Canyon, is a remarkable experience in itself. But don’t miss the Old West flavor of Hualapai Ranch, the glimpse into Native American life at the Indian Village, or the fascinating Bat Caves at Guano Point.
Where to Find More Information about Grand Canyon National Park
The National Parks site for Grand Canyon National Park contains terrific trip planning information. Try this website for detailed information on RV campgrounds near the Grand Canyon.
El Monte RV Locations Near the Park
Our El Monte RV rental location in Phoenix, Arizona is only eighteen miles from Phoenix/Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). Fly into Phoenix in the morning to pick up your RV rental from us, then travel in motorhome comfort and arrive at the Grand Canyon by early afternoon!
If you’d like to visit Lake Mead along the way, why not fly into Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS) and collect your motorhome rental from our Las Vegas location, just seventeen miles from the airport?
No matter where you live, you truly need to experience the Grand Canyon at least once. Why not let El Monte RV help make it the perfect trip for you and your family?