Going to South Rim-Grand Canyon--best route?
I'm planning a roadtrip this week from LA to South Rim. What is the best route? Should I book a lodge (we don't plan on camping at all)? Should I stop by Vegas? Also, since it is behind schedule March, do we still need snow chains? (Note: is it a apt idea to bring a 3-year behind the times?)... It's our first time there and although there's profoundly of info out there, it's adjectives very confusing... Thanks contained by advance!!
Answers:
The most direct route from LA to the South Rim of the canyon is to give somebody a lift I-15 north to Barstow and then I-40 east into Arizona to Williams and from in that take AZ64 north to the park entrance. It is in the region of a 500 mile drive and require about 7 hours drive time (not counting any stops).
Las Vegas is not along the most direct route to the canyon (described above) and would require you to verbs on I-15 past Barstow to LV and from near go support down highway US93 to I-40 (near Kingman) and on to the canyon. Going through Las Vegas would add roughly speaking 1.5-2 hours drive time. As for is it worth it... that really depends on how much time you have and how interested you are contained by seeing Vegas.
As far as chains go... most of the route is through desert, but something like an hour before reaching Williams, I-40 starts to climb until you accomplish 7,000 feet by the time you find to the South Rim. This part of Arizona have a real winter and get snowstorms well into April (sometimes even later). There be a major snow-induced calamity on I40 over the weekend. I would definitely recommend taking chains or have 4WD (and packing warm clothes and a blanket).
As for staying at the canyon... I unambiguously recommend the lodges. They are all particularly nice, fairly possibly priced and you have the convenience of man able to jump from your room to the rim or other attractions as you please. All lodges are ran by Xanterra and you can gross reservations online (which may be challenging this close to your trip). There are also several chain hotels purely outside the park gates at the little community of Tusayan. Williams (and especially Flagstaff for a time further east on I-40) also have a choice of lodging and eating option.
Lots of people embezzle young kids to the canyon in need any problems - it is pretty family friendly. Of course, at that age the child probably won't remember or appreciate much of what they see and although within are walls or rails at adjectives the major overlooks, you do want to hold on to a close eye on kids when near the rim.
Have fun! This is a nice time of year to be in that.
Related Questions:
