One of the most popular tourist attractions in the US is the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. As the name suggests, the national park is home to the Grand Canyon that is 1 mile deep and up to 10 miles wide. Considered one of the world’s natural wonders, the colorful rock layers of the canyon record billions of years of history and house many unique species. So if you want to take a short time out from the busy life in Las Vegas, visiting the Grand Canyon is surely a great idea. But can you drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon? Find out below.
How To Get To The Grand Canyon From Las Vegas?
The Grand Canyon has four sides the North Rim, South Rim, the Grand Canyon East, and the Grand Canyon West. The Grand Canyon West is less than 150 miles from Las Vegas, while the other three are around 300 miles away. There are several ways to get to the Grand Canyon from Sin City. An inexpensive and perhaps the easiest way would be by an organized tour. There are many organized tours that you can choose, depending on which part of the Grand Canyon you want to visit, like the Grand Canyon West Rim Bus Tour and the Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour. These tours are usually a day trip and will make a few stops on some tourist attractions along the way before you get to your destination. Some of these stopovers are at Hoover Dam and Route 66.
To answer the question, can you drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon? The answer is a huge yes! As previously mentioned, there are different sides of the Grand Canyon, and there are various ways and routes, and rules for each of them. The Grand Canyon West Rim, for example, is owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. This is why private cars are not allowed in this part of the canyon. There are parking spaces and free shuttles, though, at the Welcome Center, which could take you the some of the famous viewpoints, like the Eagle Point and Hualapai Ranch. Don’t miss visiting the Skywalk Glass Bridge while in the Grand Canyon West Rim. The Skywalk Glass Bridge is a horseshoe-shaped glass floor extending over the edge of a 4000-foot drop to the canyon’s bottom. You don’t need to worry as it can hold up to 71 million pounds.
If you want to drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim, it will take you around four and half hours. As this is the most visited spot of the canyon, it will be a great idea to get there early to beat the crowd. Make sure that you stop at Mather Point, the best view at the South Rim. If you love strolling, try walking along the Train of Time. On this 1.2-mile trail, you can encounter several informational signs about animals and plants, geological history, and other facts and trivia about the Grand Canyon.
On the other hand, driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon North Rim takes almost six hours. It is a bit of a long trip, but if you prefer a place with smaller crowds, this should be your spot. The Grand Canyon North Rim offers some of the canyon’s best views and many hiking trails, like the Bright Angel Point Trail.
>> Planning a road trip? Remember to bring a car hammer in case of an emergency.
Another way to get to the Grand Canyon is by public transportation bus or train. If you prefer to take the bus, you will have to start at the Greyhound bus terminal for a five-hour bus ride to Flagstaff, Arizona. From there, you can take a shuttle bus that will take you directly to the canyon. With the train, you have to start from Flagstaff and get to Williams, Arizona, around 30 miles away. You’ll have to take a bus service, Uber, or Lyft. When you get to Williams, you can take the iconic Grand Canyon Railways for a two-hour ride to the South Rim. The ticket prices for the train ride depend on the class of service you get. There are six different classes and ticket prices, from very basic cars to a private parlor car.
If you are not yet satisfied with the options above on how to get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, then wait for this final one. You can fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by helicopter. This option is certainly the fastest and the most expensive, but the experience and all will be worth it. There are many tours and sightseeing companies that offer helicopter rides to visitors of the Grand Canyon. Among them is the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. You can surely enjoy the beauty of the Grand Canyon from a bird’s eye view, including those areas that were untouched by men and inaccessible by foot. Besides a helicopter ride, you can also opt to have an airplane or coach from their over 40 unique excursions.
Recommended Spots In The Grand Canyon
There are plenty of tourist attractions in the Grand Canyon, but here are some that should be at the top of your list:
1. Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower
This 70-foot-high stone building was completed in 1932. The tower has four floors in which the ground floor consists of a gift shop, while the upper floors are used as an observation deck for visitors where they can get a view of the eastern portions of the canyon.
2. South Kaibab Trail
This hiking trail begins at the Grand Canyon South Rim and leads to the Colorado River, and follows a ridge to Skeleton Point, where visitors can enjoy the 360-degree view of the Grand Canyon.
3. Grand Canyon Village
This is a census-designated place located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which has a total area of 13.4 square miles and less than 2,300 people as of 2019. The village has hotels, shops, and restaurants, from fast food to fine dining.
Conclusion
Spending a weekend in the Grand Canyon and having a breath of fresh air away from the neon lights in Las Vegas. You can get there by using public transportation, even by flight. But can you drive from Las Vegas To Grand Canyon? Yes, you sure can. It is not the easiest way nor the fastest, but it sure will give you a memorable experience and also allow you to see many fantastic places along the way.