Grand Canyon area ideas?

[Greg B]

I am planning a trip to CruiseMoab this May but I have added on a few days to the trip to tour around the Grand Canyon area beforehand. The trip will include myself, my Dad, and my 4 yr. old son in a well equipped 100 series.

We're heading out of KY on Thurs. 4/27 and expect to arrive to the GC area (South rim) by Sat. 4/29 around noon or so. We will be camping Sat, Sun, and Mon. nights and then hitting the road for Moab on Tues. morning. I am having trouble deciding on what is the best spots to hit.

None of us have ever been to the GC area so we want to get the most bang for our buck. We are willing to travel to remote parts for the good spots. We want to stay away from the really heavy "touristy" parts as much as we can.

We're also completely open to other areas along the way to Moab. For instance, leave the GC area on Mon. and spend a day in Monument Valley, then head to Moab from there. If that ends up being a better way to go.

What areas do you enjoy the most for views, camping, etc? Also, maybe look at it this way... If you had 3 days in the GC area, what would you do or where would you go. I've looked at a couple of web sites and an AZ guide book so far, but it's really hard to trust those sources sometimes. I have a much easier time trusting the Cruiserheads here.

I loved this thread on Toroweap: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=54404 I've definitely added this location as one to consider. Thanks Hltoppr for the great pics!

Thanks in advance for any ideas or experiences you can share. I'm really looking forward to this trip and I want to make it really great for my family and me.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[wesintl]

We want to stay away from the really heavy "touristy" parts as much as we can.

We're also completely open to other areas along the way to Moab. For instance, leave the GC area on Mon. and spend a day in Monument Valley, then head to Moab from there. If that ends up being a better way to go.

I would completely ditch the south rim and go to the north rim. I would only spend a day there, maybe a day and a 1/2 and hit all the overlooks and call it good.

Then go to ZION and BRYCE. Grand Canyon is cool but you will be missing out on way better stuff IMHO. The glen canyon dam is cool if you decide to hit the north rim

my .02

 

[wtmtnterror]

Second the north rim, not nearly as many people.....

Also check out the Kiabab National Forest before entering the park. Get yourself a forest map at jacob's lake visitor center.

There are many roads that run out to the "points" at the edge of the canyon where the NP meets the forest boundry. Good camping spots with awesome views and no crowds.

 

[GeoRoss]

Toroweap is cool, but for a more interesting off road experience check out the road to the tip of the Shivwits Plateau.

Ross

 

[alia176]

Greg,

I second the Toroweap overlook recommendation, it's simply amazing!! I'll be tooling around in the same vicinity so make sure to keep in touch. I'm not sure exactly where I'll be during that week but it'll be somewhere between AZ and NM!

Ali

 

[Kofoed]

Moab is WAY closer to the North Rim. Check out the old Roger Mitchell guide books on the area. La Siesta Press is the publisher.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

North rim all the way......less people, better camping, great hiking trails, and by far the best views of the canyon.

 

[Greg B]

Thanks Guys! I really appreciate the advice on what is sure to be an epic vacation.