The Grand Canyon

[nothintolose]

SO and I are looking for some other places to travel to when we aren't on STJ and one of the places we are seriously considering is the Grand Canyon.

I am looking for any suggestions from anyone that has ever been as we know very little about it. We are thinking of traveling in late September or after October 15th. We couldn't go between October 1st and 15th. Is that time of year okay to visit the Grand Canyon?

We have been told we should fly to Vegas (cuz you can get cheap direct flights from here to there), rent a car and go to the North Rim.

That's about all I know as of now so ANY info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
nothintolose

[California Girl]

Since I talked to you I remembered that the North Rim isn't open all year round, so I looked it up, and here's what I found:

North Rim Lodging and camping along with all other visitor services and facilities are only open from mid-May to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended. Additional facilities are available in the surrounding Kaibab National Forest, the Kaibab Lodge area, and Jacob Lake.
During winter months, the road to the North Rim, Highway 67, is often closed due to snow. After the close of visitor facilities in mid-October, there may be a period when the North Rim is open for day use only. (before the snow comes) During this time there are no services or overnight facilities available inside the park. The road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim (Highway 67) is subject to closure due to snow with little or no notice during this interval and then remains closed until mid-May.

So I guess the North Rim wouldn't work for you when it comes to the dates you want to go. Too bad... it's absolutely gorgeous there!

But then again, there's always San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point & Laguna Beach in good ol' So.Cal.!

[nothintolose]

If we go in September it's good - I think I saw that same site last night.

[jmq]

From Vegas, you should seriously consider Bryce and Zion Canyons instead. Bryce is one of the Top 5 places I've ever been to. Stunning beauty and very accessible on foot. Zion has some very cool hikes too.

[Lex]

We were there a few years ago in late September. Great weather, great time to be there. We were in Arizona for a wedding in Flagstaff, so flew into Phoenix. Phoenix was still hot, but things became increasingly pleasant as we headed north. We went to the canyon (south rim) for a few days before backtracking to Flagstaff. We stayed at a lodge within the national park. We made a point of never missing a sunrise over the canyon. We hiked down into the canyon for a ways on the Bright Angel Trail. We wished we'd had more time there so we could have gone to the bottom. It's spectacular just seeing the canyon from the rim, but it's a different kind of experience as you get down into the canyon.

Here's the site for the park lodges:

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

People reserve well in advance, so it may be hard to find something.

We also enjoyed Flagstaff and Sedona and did a few day trips to ruins, other canyons and out into the painted desert. An all time favorite spot of mine is the Wukoki ruins.

jmq mentions the Utah canyon country and that's one trip we also really want to make.

[chicagoans]

I've only been to the South Rim, but we loved it. (Came by way of Phoenix, after spending a few days at the Boulders and then a few days in Sedona -- loved it all.)

We stayed in a rim-side cabin that was just steps from the edge -- or at least felt like that! I highly recommend it. The hiking was great (bring lots of water!!) and a helicopter ride into the canyon is pretty fabulous.

What a great trip. I hope to go back with the kids some day and do the rafting trip into the canyon.

[nothintolose]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now not sure what we are going to do. May go from the South may wait till we can go when it's warmer and go from the North. I like the idea of hitting other places too.

Thanks for the links too. I have bookmarked them all.