One of the things I was most excited to see on our one-week road trip through Arizona was the Grand Canyon. It’s easily one of the most iconic U.S. road trip spots of all time and a geological wonder, and I had never seen it in-person before!
Marking the Grand Canyon off of my travel bucket list meant a lot to me, and I definitely believe it deserves a spot on any Arizona road trip itinerary. Here’s our Grand Canyon National Park Guide, complete with practical tips and stunning photos from our experience visiting.
Where to Stay Near Grand Canyon National Park
There are campgrounds and rental cabins all around Grand Canyon Village for anyone who wants to do major hiking or maximize their time at the site of the canyon. But since we were more casual visitors who mainly wanted to take photos and explore the trail along the South Rim, we stayed in nearby Flagstaff.
Flagstaff was the perfect home base that allowed us to remain within driving distance of the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert & Petrified Forest, Sycamore Falls, the Meteor Crater, and endless beautiful mountains. It’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon National Park.
Another reason why I’d recommend staying in Flagstaff is that the dining options closer to the Grand Canyon are actually pretty limited. I’m not sure if it was because we visited in early March (the tail end of winter in northern Arizona), but many of the restaurants in and around Grand Canyon Village were closed. Staying in Flagstaff made it easy to grab breakfast before heading out and grab dinner before we got back to our Airbnb.
We stayed in a gorgeous location tucked right into the mountains, and we were lucky enough to experience a lovely snowfall while we were there. (Check out this post with a few of the coolest Airbnbs around Arizona if you need some inspiration for your stay!)
What to See at Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center makes an excellent first stop once you enter the park. If you need a restroom, a snack, or information about trails, you can find it there. And most importantly, it has lots of gorgeous overlooks that take you up close to the edge of the canyon.
Our Next stop was Grand Canyon Village. This spot allows you to see The Grand Canyon from a wide variety of different angles, and offers some dining and souvenir shopping opportunities. I brought home a t-shirt, an impressive collection of postcards, and a Grand Canyon-themed adult coloring book!
The Grand Canyon Village also offered lots of beautiful places to take pictures that weren’t as crowded as the overlooks near the visitor center.
If you’re more outdoorsy than Austin and I, there are hiking trails that take you down into the canyon. But they are not beginner-level hikes, and you have to be very careful not to slip, run out of food, or get overheated and dehydrated on your way down. We opted instead to hike along the South Rim Trail that runs parallel to the canyon. This allowed us to take plenty of gorgeous pictures and remain stress free.
Snow was falling lightly on the canyon while we were there, it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Even though I’m really happy with the pictures we took, none of them can ever fully capture the magnitude of the canyon. You have to see it in person!
Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
- It costs $35 for one parking permit at Grand Canyon National Park. The permit lasts seven days, so you don’t have to worry about renewing it if you are staying onsite. It also allows re-entry if you need to leave the park and come back to visit another day.
- I highly recommend eating plenty of food before you arrive and bringing snacks with you in the car. I severely underestimated how few restaurants there would be in the village, and we took up some of our time searching for a place to grab a bite to eat!
- Bring plenty of layers with you. Since March is so warm in Texas, we didn’t realize just how cold it would be in Flagstaff and at the Grand Canyon. It was snowing often, and temps were frequently in the 30s! I packed a couple of sweatshirts and cardigans, but I really wished I had my thick winter coat during our trip. Unless you are visiting in the peak of summer, you’ll need at least a light jacket for most of the year.
Tips for Planning an Arizona Road Trip
After we returned from our Arizona road trip, Austin and I agreed that it was one of our favorite vacations we have ever taken as a couple. There was so much natural beauty around every corner in Arizona, and we hope to visit again someday.
If you’re planning your own Arizona road trip, check out these blog posts with more helpful ideas!
The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip
Arizona Road Trip Packing List
Petrified Forest National Park Guide
X Fun Things to Do in Phoenix, AZ
X Fun Things to Do in Sedona, AZ
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