Grand canyon?

[Waterjunky]

Hello all;
The crew and I are planning an RV trip through the Grand Canyon region in early to mid June. Two weeks in our Super C. Me, an 8yr old boy and the wifey type person.

What should we be doing? What is great? What needs to be skipped? Where should we stay or not stay? In parks? outside parks? We are planning on moving at least once and will have a toad. We are good for up to about three days dry camping at a stretch.
This is local to many of you, lay it out for me.

Might even try to do a weekend around the river and put some faces on the names here.

Thanks

 

[DesertDog63]

Stay in Williams. Rt.66 car show Friday June 7th. Saturday take the steam engine train to the Grand Canyon. Bearizona. Visit Sedona going through Oak Creek and take the kid to Slide Rock.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Bearizona in Williams would be a kick for the little one. Dry camping up in Williams and surrounding is pretty nice that time of year too.

 

[Rondog4405]

What they said.. Bearizona was pretty cool. My kids dug it. Williams is full of all the route 66 nostalgia. All the neon at night is pretty cool.

 

[LHC Kirby]

I have heard that sunrise and sunset are awesome to witness at the canyon.
enjoy

 

[azsunfun]

Tourism south rim, relaxation and unbelievable views a couple days north rim.

 

[azsunfun]

I have heard that sunrise and sunset are awesome to witness at the canyon.
enjoy

camping between grand and marble canyon, unbelievable.

 

[Meaney77]

Another vote for Williams Arizona. We did this trip in April for my kids spring break and had a great time. We stayed in Williams at a KOA. We took a train into the Grand Canyon, Bearizona was great, we also drove to Sedona and Flagstaff as well as checked out the meteor out in the middle of nowhere. Overall we had a great trip lots to do and see out there especially if you're into off-roading.

 

[sintax]

Tourism south rim, relaxation and unbelievable views a couple days north rim.

Came here to say exactly this.

 

[mash on it]

Steam engine runs the first Saturday of the month.
For June 2024, June 1st.

Dan'l

 

[mjc]

Trailer village is the only park inside the canyon NP your RV will fit. It is a fairly nice place, I will be there Thursday for the weekend, my son is getting married there Saturday.
How many other parks do you want to see?

 

[Dan Lorenze]

This is pretty much how our Grand Canyon experience was...

 

[TPC]

We stay at the Railway RV park.
If you have or rent ohv they are allowed on any federal property trail.

The 50’s Cafe in Williams has good food not the tourist trap fare we expected.

Bearzona was really good. Arriving at opening still caught the animals active.

 

[Backlash]

Taken with a cellphone......

Pictures truly don't do the scenery ANY justice.....

 

[MPHSystems]

Brings back bad memories, when I was eight I lost my family at the Grand Canyon, and I have been looking for them ever since.

 

[thedan]

We loved Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff.

 

[Sandlord]

If you like Bearizona, you should also stop at the Deer Farm just a few miles east on the 40 for an up close experience with animals. Make sure you buy a few cups of feed at the entrance.

 

[throttle]

Book now. Places will fill up.

Hopefully you will have a vehicle in tow, the busier months could pose challenges when trying to find a place to park even in that class c.

Check out and download the National Park app, you will find lots of good info there as well as camera's and wait times at the entrances. We use it also to check on any area's that may be affected by construction or area closures (more common than you would think).

If you stay outside the park, be sure to get a early jump start at the entrance before it backs up. Wait times can be LONG.

 

[Badchoices03]

Although the Grand Canyon is such an amazing location with beautiful views, most likely your 8yo is going to get bored of just going there for 2 weeks, to my 12yo when we went last year, a few look out points and he was done with it...

Besides what has been mentioned above, a few things we did while we were there, since you did say you have a toad:

Bright Angel Trail, the trail head starts at village and goes all the through the Grand Canyon, we didn't go all the way to the bottom, but we did go down quite a ways and it gives you a different perspective looking up out of the canyon instead of down into it.

Drive to Horseshoe Bend, from there we drove over to Lone Rock Beach to check it out.

Drive to Meteor Crater Landmark, from there we went to Winslow Arizona and stood on the corner...lol...on the way back we stopped to find the Apache Death Cave, which took a while to find it, its not marked at all, we found it but my wife and kid wouldnt go anywhere near it after reading about it during the drive.

Drive through the park on Desert View Drive stopped at the Tusayan Ruins, Desert View Watch Tower, exited the east entrance to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano

On the way home we did the Grand Canyon Caverns and also Grand Canyon Skywalk

 

[Badchoices03]

Brings back bad memories, when I was eight I lost my family at the Grand Canyon, and I have been looking for them ever since.

Joe Dirt is that you???

 

[MPHSystems]

Joe Dirt is that you???

I never did find my sister, she said she was my sister and that helped but she wasn’t my sister.

 

[Meaney77]

A few things to add...

If you stay in Williams, the town itself is cool.
Their is a reindeer farm a few minutes away and its cool to check out- https://deerfarm.com/

Their is a Rollercaoster in Williams that the kids all enjoyed- https://canyoncoasteradventurepark.com/

Meteor Crater-https://meteorcrater.com/ A bit of a trek to look at a hole in the ground...

Highly recommend checking out Sedonna, we were only there for a day but could have easily satyed for a few dats. There is a ton of cool stuff it that town- Shopping, Hiking, Moutain Biking, etc.. We were able to get a permit and actually go do some off roading at the 7 Sacred Ponds/ Soldier Pass area. Its a small, tiight area but kinda cool. They only offer a few permits each day- even if you dont have a 4x4 Toad or off road vehicle Its still worth checking out. I wish I would have brought my MTB when we were there, lots of cool tails to ride.

Soldier Pass Motorized Use Permit, Coconino National Forest Recreation - Recreation.gov

Explore Soldier Pass Motorized Use Permit in Coconino National Forest Recreation, Arizona with Recreation.gov. Welcome to the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest! Enjoy views of Sedona’s iconic red rocks while driving Soldier Pass Road (FR9904) thr

www.recreation.gov

 

[rivergames]

Stay in Williams. Rt.66 car show Friday June 7th. Saturday take the steam engine train to the Grand Canyon. Bearizona. Visit Sedona going through Oak Creek and take the kid to Slide Rock

This was my exact thought as well. Camp in Williams and take the train to The GC

My parents took me and my brother years back when I was a kid and it was a lot of fun on the train. My Grandma came too and the old dude on the guitar on the train was spittin mad game at my GMa.

 

[Orange Juice]

Home - Rainbow Trout Farm - Sedona, AZ

Fishing fun for the whole family Located in beautiful Sedona, AZ View Pricing No Fishing License Required No Equipment Needed! Cook & Eat On Site! Creating Lifelong Memories Come spend a morning or afternoon surrounded by spectacular scenery, green trees, and running water. Beautiful Scenery...

sedonarainbowtroutfarm.com

Lava Tubes | Lava River Cave

The Lava Tubes Flagstaff has to offer are one of the many volcanic wonders in Northern Arizona! Here's what to bring, how to get there, and everything else you need to know.

www.flagstaff.com

Slide Rock State Park in Arizona | USA

Located in Sedona, Arizona along Oak Creek Canyon

azstateparks.com

 

[PDQH2O]

Another vote for Williams. They have a nice RV park right off Route 66 where you’ll be close to Bearizona, etc as others have said. Better than that, you’ll be close to the railway terminal where you can take a train ride (we rode in a 1923 Pullman car) to the south rim. If you get to the GC before 2:00pm, put your name on the dining list at the El Tovar main dining room. It’s a 4/5 star restaurant that serves its patrons as they come in casual attire, hiking wear, etc. and is the hotel shown in Chevy Chase’ movie, Vacation. Plus, you’ll enjoy a fantastic and very affordable meal overlooking the beauty of the canyon. It’s the only way to go.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

You could go to Grand Canyon West , experience the Skywalk , it’s only about $500 for a family of 4 …

 

[94essex]

There is a Koa right off i40 bout 10 minutes from williams. It's close to bearizona and it has a go kart track the kids would love. It'll be hot for a lot of the big hikes.

 

[Waterjunky]

Thanks to everyone for contributing! I think I have the timelines filled in and are working on reservations. This has been a huge help. I will work on individual activities over the next few weeks.
The toad is an Explorer so technically 4wd but not useful for that. It does do really well on dirt and gravel roads as long as there is no real need for clearance.

One of the big questions still is at the beginning of the trip (Saturday and Sunday) we are trying to choose between Vegas or the river. Obviously I would not have a boat but still meeting a few peeps might be fun. Who knows, might be able to bum a ride with someone.

 

[Waterjunky]

There is a Koa right off i40 bout 10 minutes from williams. It's close to bearizona and it has a go kart track the kids would love. It'll be hot for a lot of the big hikes.

We are booked there....

 

[Waterjunky]

You could go to Grand Canyon West , experience the Skywalk , it’s only about $500 for a family of 4 … View attachment 1282631

This is very cool but $500? Think I will pass.

 

[Meaney77]

We are booked there....

Cool park, its where we stayed and centrally located to everything mentioned here.

Dont forget to pack your pateince, a kidney belt, loc tight, tools, and extra nuts and bolts, that section of I40 after Kingman is terrible!!!!

 

[Waterjunky]

Cool park, its where we stayed and centrally located to everything mentioned here.

Dont forget to pack your pateince, a kidney belt, loc tight, tools, and extra nuts and bolts, that section of I40 after Kingman is terrible!!!!

And the self tapping screws for the body panels.......
Actually serious on this.

 

[240Hallett]

Cool park, its where we stayed and centrally located to everything mentioned here.

Dont forget to pack your pateince, a kidney belt, loc tight, tools, and extra nuts and bolts, that section of I40 after Kingman is terrible!!!!

When we did Williams earlier this year, we got off the freeway in Kingman and took Route 66 as suggested by @185EZ .It adds a little time but it’s a much nicer drive. Slow down through the Rez.

 

[stephenkatsea]

To the west of Williams, on the I-40, is the little town of Seligman. Lilo’s Westside Cafe in Seligman is outstanding. Definitely old school excellent food and service.

Further west on Rte 66 is Peach Springs. Here you can register to drive to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It’s a good non paved road. It’s a scenic, unique drive down to the bottom of the canyon and the shores of the Colorado River.

 

[01erionracing]

Last year, I went from Mesquite to Whitmore canyon overlook, stopped by at Bar 10 ranch and took BLM1045 to 5 and BLM1069 back to Sand Hollow and I15 S back to Mesquite.
This year, day 1 we went to Toquerville falls and days 2 we started from Colorado City AZ, took Mt Trumbull Rd to Toroweap canyon overlook and back, the view is spectacular at the overlook, I plan to tent camping at Tuweep campground in the future trip.
Some photos of the trip.

 

[Waterjunky]

Hello all,

Sitting currently in Williams and just making a plan for here and Flagstaff over the next few days. What else are peoples suggestions and favorites?

After getting in today we did lunch at the brewery and fed Deer. We need to be kid friendly within reason as we have an 8 yr old with us. this does not mean exclusively kid oriented but a Bar is probably not reasonable.

Thoughts everyone?

 

[PlanB]

Bearizona in Williams is pretty cool. Your kid will love it.

Bearizona | Arizona's Drive-Thru Wildlife Park

Visitors will drive through more than three miles of Ponderosa Pine Forest, viewing North American animals in natural habitats when they visit.

bearizona.com

 

[FlyByWire]

We will be up there in a few days.

Bearizona and the Canyon Coaster is always a hit.

There’s also a free poop museum too. For real. It’s called the pooseum

 

[monkeyswrench]

Canyon Coaster is pretty cool. That, then walk the tourist traps in town.

 

[Waterjunky]

Canyon Coaster is pretty cool. That, then walk the tourist traps in town.

This is basically where we are at currently.... Just looking for other things to add.

We did a version of Bearazona last year in Idaho, it was cool but going to wait another year or two before a replay.

Any specific food recommendations?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Unfortunately not good with food recommendations...the steakhouse I liked closed, and haven't been to the other one. We usually pack lunches when day tripping up that way. Burn fuel and find fire roads or county roads and find places to park and climb trees

 

[NIKAL]

KC Lights is right in Williams AZ.

We love taking the train to the Grand Canyon. We have done it several times, a few Polar Express rides and a few late summer trips.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Fat Olives in Flagstaff for legit pizza. Or Salsa Brava for Mexican.

 

[CLdrinker]

We just got back from Village camp in between Williams and Flag.
Grand Canyon
Roller coaster and tubing Williams
Bearazonia
Lava Tubes
Dear Farm

 

[DirtyWhiteDog]

The lava tube is pretty awesome. Bring light jackets and real flashlights.

 

[havasuhusker]

Fat Olives in Flagstaff for legit pizza. Or Salsa Brava for Mexican.

I 2nd Fat Olives. Diablo Burger, MartAnnes, Taverna Modern Mediterranean and Fratelli Pizza are the places we eat when in Flag.

 

[mash on it]

Anna's cafe for breakfast.

Dan'l