Anonymous wrote:I am surprised the PP's child hiked to Indian Gardens. I can't imagine a 5 year old hiking that. I suggest Zion National Park for a trip which has short hikes. I thought there was not much to Grand Canyon. I did the hike to the bottom of the canyon and back in one day when I was younger, but there is just not much to do. I prefer Zion for lots of different things to do and places to hike.

PP my 6 y.o. kid didn't hike to Indian Gardens. She hiked down the whole way to the bottom, then to Phantom Ranch, then a couple days later she hiked up past Indian Gardens then to the top. Indian Gardens is only 3 miles or so. Any kid in normal shape can do that--assuming it's not too hot or too cold.

Now to get Phantom Ranch, you have to call 13 months in advance, OR you have to check while you are there for cancellations (there are often cancellations--people plan things and plans change, or they don't think they can do the 10 mile trek. If you do get a cancellation, you can stow some things in the hotel on the rim, and some stuff in your car, and you can go to the stable and buy space on a mule for your stuff. Then you only have to take water and food and jackets etc.

Also, fwiw since PP brought it up, I like Zion better as well. Not trashing Grand Canyon--it's just that Zion is my favorite.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. What about staying in Flagstaff? From the map it looks like not a bad drive to the Grand Canyon. And I thought it might be a nice base to see other things like Sedona. I don't think we'll be doing a lot of hiking on this trip because we are going with grandparents with bad knees.

We just did a week in Flagstaff with our 8 and 12 year old. I was just about to recommend it. It is lovely. Less than a 2 hour drive to the GC. Here's what we did:
--rented a house in Flagstaff in VRBO
--flew into Vegas. MUCH cheaper than Phoenix.
--drove 4 hours to Flagstaff
--visited GC on Sunday and then again on Tues. did a hike into canyon on Tues. I wouldn't recommend hiking down into canyon more than 30 min with a 5 yr old. Very steep and tiring. It took us 3 hours to do a 3 mile loop.
--did a raft ride on the Colorado in Glen Canyon.Drove 2 hours north to Page AZ. Colorado Discovery Rafting is the name of the company. Totally worth it. It's very calm, on a motorized pontoon. Five year old will love it
--Day trip to Sedona 1 hour away, did a jeep tour
--Day trip to Sunset Crater and Wapatki Nat'l Monument, 40 min
--Left for Vegas on Friday, stopped at Hoover Dam
--spent night in Vegas, flew out Sat morning

It was a great trip. Invest in good hiking shoes and a hat for everyone. The sun is intense. You're 7000 ft up.

Hope this helps.

OP here. What about staying in Flagstaff? From the map it looks like not a bad drive to the Grand Canyon. And I thought it might be a nice base to see other things like Sedona. I don't think we'll be doing a lot of hiking on this trip because we are going with grandparents with bad knees.

Be prepared for winter weather on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, even during spring break season.

We went to the GC on Spring Break and had a lovely time. We stayed at Best Westerns. They are equivalent to Marriotts out west. Word of caution: buy the best hiking boots you can find for your entire family, including your kids...the trail past the rim is scary! Layer up (its cold in the mornings and warms up). Bring lots of water and plenty of sunscreen and a hat that won't blow off your head (and don't go chasing after it if it does, some bloke died that way).

Have a great time!

I recommend hiking down the South Kaibab Trail, spending the night in a Phantom Ranch cabin (airconditioned, heat, toilet, beds) and hiking back up the Bright Angel Trail. Spend that night at El Tovar.

Call now...they do book up. It was an amazing adventure! Be sure to make dinner reservations at Phantom Ranch as well.

I can't believe people are criticizing the Grand Canyon! Wow, you're hard to impress.
El Tovar definitely books up a year out, but there might be cancellations. Bright Angel Lodge is at the base -- I think the one on top is something like Thunder Lodge or Kachina Lodge. There might be more than one. At any rate, it's nice and super convenient, but some of the rooms have hall baths only (sort of European), so just be sure to know what you're getting. I agree that Indian Gardens is optimistic for a 5 year old. I did it as a 14 year old and never felt so close to death. If you go all the way to the point or picnic area and back, it's 13 miles round-trip, with the last 6 basically straight up hill. It's actually easier to do the hike all the way to the base, camp or stay down there overnight, then come back up. The problem with Indian point is that you have to do it all in one day, and, while you only go halfway down, it's rather a hike to get out to the Point. I think the steepest switch backs are the ones that are closest to the top.
But you can go do Bright Angel trail as far as you feel comfortable, then come back up. Just remember that you should figure it will be 2x as hard to come back up as it was to go down -- so if you want a 3 hour hike, turn around after 1 hour.
Definitely do the ranger programs -- they are all great.

Agree with pp. Zion is much better park to spend time in. GC is very crowded. Stay just outside of Zion (springdale?) which is a fun town. If i had it do over i would spend most of my time in utah and spend half a day at GC.

I am surprised the PP's child hiked to Indian Gardens. I can't imagine a 5 year old hiking that. I suggest Zion National Park for a trip which has short hikes. I thought there was not much to Grand Canyon. I did the hike to the bottom of the canyon and back in one day when I was younger, but there is just not much to do. I prefer Zion for lots of different things to do and places to hike.

I love El Tovar as well, and yes if there is no availability or if the price is too steep, plan at least one meal there.

There is a lodge right next or very close to El Tovar--I'm so sorry I can't remember the name and I even searched my computer with no luck. But it's right there (Bright Angel Lodge?) and it's cheaper and has a view. You should call Xanterra, the company that runs all this stuff, and talk to them about your choices.

btw when driving to the south rim, I couldn't find an address on google maps, so here is the one I used to figure out relative distances
(El Cristo Rey Catholic Church)
44 Albright Ave.
grand canyon, az 86023

Also, weather permitting, if your 5 y.o. likes to hike/walk, definitely go down the trail to Indian Gardens. People underestimate kids--my youngest DD was 6 when we hiked to the bottom, spent a couple of nights, and hiked back out. The key is a kid-sized Camelpak with the tube near their face, and having them take a sip every ten minutes or so. (They will not do this with a bottle of water; it's just harder and breaks the walking pace).
Anyways, that trek was harder on my DH and I than on the kids, who emerged at the Rim only to jump on the bed at El Tovar. My DH and I made the mistake of sitting down and stiffened up in the sitting position, ha ha!

Have fun!

El Tovar Hotel. It's one of the big National Park Lodges and right on the canyon. Book early, like now, though. If it is already booked, at least do a meal in the dining room.

We are planning a trip to New Mexico and Arizona for spring break and want to go to the Grand Canyon. I have never been so have no idea where to stay - inside the park or nearby town? We are going with a 5 yo and in-laws so will need 2 rooms.