Grand Canyon National Park Trip Planner | The Ultimate Guide

Are you planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park? If so, this Ultimate Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guide is for you!
I’m covering everything you need to know to plan an amazing trip to Grand Canyon National Park, including the best way to get there, where to stay when you visit, visiting the North Rim versus the South Rim, the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park, and more!
Grand Canyon National Park is large and complex. It is also one of the most visited national parks in the country, which means it can get really crowded, and timing is super important. If you’re overwhelmed planning your trip, get your hour-by-hour Grand Canyon Itinerary here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-c...
This Grand Canyon Itinerary gives you an hour-by-hour guide that will help you navigate through Grand Canyon National Park. You’ll also receive lodging suggestions, adjustments, and itinerary updates based on the current conditions in the park.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Grand Canyon Trip Planning
01:15 Overview of Grand Canyon National Park
03:56 Grand Canyon South Rim vs North Ri: Which is Better?
05:03 The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
06:03 The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
07:17 Which Rim of the Grand Canyon Should You Visit?
09:41 When is the Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park?
11:04 Dirt in My Shoes Grand Canyon Articles & Itinerary
12:13 How Long Should I Stay at the Grand Canyon?
14:06 Where to Stay When Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
22:16 The Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
27:25 12 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at Grand Canyon National Park
27:41 A Typical Day at Grand Canyon National Park
29:14 Navigating the Shuttles at Grand Canyon National Park
32:38 Temperature Fluctuations at Grand Canyon
Watch More:
⭐️ 12 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at Grand Canyon National Park: • The TOP 12 Things to D...
In Video Links:
⭐️ The Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-bes...
⭐️ Grand Canyon National Park Itinerary: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-c...
My goal is to make national park trip planning easy!
⭐️ Grand Canyon Ultimate Trip Planning Guide: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-c...
⭐️ Grand Canyon Camping: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/all-abo...
⭐️ 12 Things You Can't Miss on Your First Visit: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/12-thin...
Connect with Ash at Dirt In My Shoes
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[@cupofintention]

Oh my goodness! You are amazing! I just found your channel today! We are planning our trip to GC and Zion. Thank you so much!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thank you! I hope you have an amazing trip!

[@johng5710]

So I visited the South Rim as part of a Route 66 road trip last year in early May. Even though you discourage staying in Flagstaff or Williams, it was a must for me because Route 66 runs through both towns (I stayed in Williams, which is a really cool little town for walking through with a bunch of souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, etc.). The next morning I drove up and went out to the Desert View Watchtower first. Then drove back and parked at the Visitors Center and walked probably 2 miles of the Rim Trail and back to get some really good viewpoints of the canyon. Then in order to avoid having to take the shuttle from the Visitors Center to the shuttle transfer station for the Hermit's Rest shuttle (here's the pro tip lol), I found a parking spot at Maswik Lodge and it's maybe a 10 minute walk to the transfer station from there. This was a huge time saver over having to take the shuttle all the way back to the Visitors Center, which makes a lot of stops along the way. I got all of this done in probably 6-7 hours. I didn't do any long strenuous hikes or anything though, but I saw a lot of the South Rim.
It should also be mentioned that there is the Grand Canyon Railway that runs from Williams to the South Rim if people are interested in that. You can do a day trip there and back on the train (however you only get like 4 hours in the park until you have to take the train back to Williams), or you can take the train there one day, then stay at one of the hotels for as many nights as you want, and then take the train back to Williams.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's not that I don't think Williams and Flagstaff are worth a stop...it's just that I don't recommend them as a basecamp for the Grand Canyon if visiting the park is your primary purpose. But we will often stay a few nights at the rim, and then head out to Williams for a night to spend some time in town. On my very first visit to the South Rim (15 years ago or so), we stayed in Williams for the entire time, and it was just too much driving for the 3 days we were there! I've never done that since because it's worth it to me to stay closer to rim to beat the crowds.
I'm glad you had such a great trip and that you were able to experience so much! Happy trails!