Circling Grand Cyn in May

Hello everyone, I am planning a roadtrip in May with my mother - basically circling the Grand Canyon. We used to be avid hikers, but we really are not up to hiking - and instead are planning a couple of activities to get us out of the car and let us explore as much as possible without hiking.

Originally we had planned on visiting South Rim, Sedona, North Rim, Bryce and Zion.

With the limited time we have - I have decided to cut out Zion : (

I figured I had to cut out something, and Zion seems the most obvious, as we would need quite a bit more time to see Zion and it really seems like it is more geared to hiking than the other places we are visiting.

The other option is to visit EITHER the north rim and Zion and Bryce - cutting out the South rim, or visa versa...but I just hate to do that!

I will also be posting a similar post in the Utah forums for the utah experts to hopefully give me advice on the second half of the trip.

Below is my tentative itinerary - can you please point out any problems or give any suggestions?

Also, if you have any comments on the hotels, please do! I had originally hoped to stay IN the parks, but they are all booked. I tried to find places to stay that were as close as possible to the parks because we will have to double our drive time considering the return trip.

Last year we did a roadtrip circling the Sierra Nevada, stopping in Sequoia, Yosemite and Tahoe - and I must admit that by the time we left Yosemite, we were really tired of driving, so I%26#39;m hoping not to make the same mistakes and break up the driving time with some activities - but we are really limited on time.

Sat 5/10 LA - Wms, AZ (9hr drive)via Needles- overnight in Canyon Motel caboose. We are planning to arrive in Wms well before sunset, so that we can hopefully then drive to the South Rim from Wms to see the sunset - then back to Wms for our sleeping. This will be a tough driving day - we know.

Sun 5/11 - (mother%26#39;s day) whole day to explore South Rim - and Desert View - doubling back to Williams to spend the night in caboose.

Mon 5/12 - Wms, AZ to Sedona (1.5hr)- via Flagstaff. Overnight in Sky Ranch Lodge - rim view cottage

Tues 5/13 - Sedona - overnight in Sky Ranch Lodge - rim view cottage

Wed 5/14 Sedona to Cameron (2hr drive)- overnight in Cameron Trading Post %26amp; Lodge (only reason we are stopping overnight in Cameron is to break up the drive to Page where we will take the river float trip - and then drive to Kanab) Do you think we should drive straight thru to Page and stay in Page instead of Cameron? We would be driving the scenic hwy 89, so I wanted to leave PLENTY of time to do a leisurely scenic drive with lots of stops - so Cameron seemed a logical stopping point.

Thurs 5/15 Cameron to Page (2hr)- early departure to arrive in Page in time to take the float trip which is 4 hours - then onto Kanab (2hr). - is this feasable...it will be a rushed day I know - but I think if we leave Cameron very early it will be ok. Let me know your thoughts?

*****below is the utah portion of my trip which I will post about in the Utah forum***********

Fri 5/16 Kanab to North Rim then back to Kanab

Sat 5/17 Kanab to Bryce - 2 hr horse ride overnight in Bryce Cyn Pines

Sun 5/18 Bryce to LA (10hrs?)

Circling Grand Cyn in May

The North Rim may not be open by 5/16. It wasn%26#39;t in %26#39;07.

Circling Grand Cyn in May

You are WAY overplanning and micromanaging your trip. You should have a GENERAL idea of what, where and when but let the spirit of travel guide you, not something you put into your PDA. Take care, lighten up and have FUN! Chuck...

Why would you overnight in Williams and drive back and forth to GC twice ? No wonder you%26#39;re tired after your road trips :(.

For that part, I would look for accomodation preferably in Grand Canyon Village (South Rim) at www.grandcanyonlodges.com, or in case nothing is available, in Tusayan which is close to GCNP entrance.

I agree with above poster. Why do you want to stay

in Williams when you really want to see the Grand

Canyon? Call and get a room at the south rim. If

nothing is available, get something in Tusayan.

If you stay in the park you will save so much time

and be more rested with less driving.

I am saying this because we, too have been on some

trips where we did too much driving. See all you

can and enjoy your trip!

I, too, can%26#39;t figure out why you%26#39;d want to stay in Williams and drive back and forth to the Canyon. Stay at the Canyon or in Tusayan, exit by the east entrance and see Cameron, go to Page, then back to see Sedona on your way home.

I drive from Sedona to Chatsworth in about 8 hours, with a few quick stops for gas, restroom and fast food (or take a cooler with lunch/munchies).

Here%26#39;s my suggestion to streamline your trip:

Van Nuys to Sedona first.

Sedona to GC South Rim (stay in Tusayan as others suggested....it%26#39;s only about 15 minutes to the Park entrance).

Exit GC out the east road to Hwy 89 and on to Page. Just stop at Cameron Trading Post for shopping, then continue on to Page, no problem.

Skip GC North Rim. If this is your first time to GC, south rim will be enough.

Page to Bryce (no need to stay in Kanab).

Bryce to Zion (can stay on west side of Zion in Springdale).

Zion to I-15 down through Barstow and to home.

Just do a drive through of Zion if you don%26#39;t have time for more. It would be the most direct way home from Bryce anyway.

Note: Cameron to Page on Hwy 89 is on Indian Reservation land. Though very scenic in a vast and stark way, there is no place you%26#39;ll want to stop. In fact, you should fill up with gas in Cameron.

Sorry, I should have actually listed this itinerary into your exact dates. But please try it. I think you%26#39;ll be much happier than the itinerary you have arranged so far.