Where is the best Grand Canyon Veiw?

[Bracketracer]

This years trip from Canada is including the Zion Park area, then to Vegas, then LA area. Is there a good place near Zion Park to veiw the Grand Canyon?

[deaconblues]

Hrmmm... Zion is in the southwestern part of Utah... I'm thinking it's north of the Grand Canyon (northern Arizona) and slightly west. You're looking at about a 150 mile route to South Rim, and probably about a hundred miles to North Rim (if it's open).

As for the best view... I'm of the opinion that you don't TRULY appreciate how mind-bogglingly BIG the GC is... until you're in a raft in the Colorado River, down IN the canyon.



But, the views from the rim are enough to rock your world, guar-oooon-tee.

[Helmetdance]

According to Streets & Trips, it's 118 miles from the Zion Park Visitor Center to the North Rim of GCNP.

[bluepoof]

What time of year are you going to be there? The north rim road is closed until Mayish (depending on the year, road condition ).

If you'll be as far east as Bryce Canyon National Park, it's an easy ride from there to the south rim. Sorta takes you out of the way of Zion, though.

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by bluepoof

What time of year are you going to be there? The north rim road is closed until Mayish (depending on the year, road condition ).

If you'll be as far east as Bryce Canyon National Park, it's an easy ride from there to the south rim. Sorta takes you out of the way of Zion, though.

I'm planning a similar jaunt through the GC area..

Blue... How long does the 118 miles from Zion to GC take? Is it 65+ all the way or is it more like back roads and 45+. Is it safe to assume the roads to the North Rim are Tar?

[RippinJohn]

those roads to the north rim are paved, and a great ride. The south rim is a zoo compared to the north. I'd say that 95% of all tourists go to the parks on the south side. Plus the roads are twistier and way less congested on the north ! The views from both sides are spectacular. Also the map highlighted in this thread is a fantastic ride. Enjoy!!!

[Fastfar]

My best view of the GC was looking out the boom-operators window at the back of a KC-141 aerial tanker
As I lay there on my belly, I could see the entire Canyon complex sliding by 30,000 feet below. That sucker is BIG

No pics were allowed, but I take the visual memory out every so often to look at it in awe

[bluepoof]

I haven't actually done the North Rim road, as I was in the area in early April (that's how I found out the road's closed til Mayish ).

F_F S, that's one awesome story. Wow.

[Bracketracer]

Should be safe as leaving home on June 24th,,, Yellow Stone the first day ,,, then Zion and the Canyon,, then over to LA. If all goes well I should be Santa Monica on day fourish..... Then I have 14 days to explore some of the roads I missed out on last year,,,and wonder my way back home.

Really love the road write ups,,, went out and picked up street and trips 2005 so I could locate the better out of the way roads. Spent two weeks last year in California,, drove by some roads that I did not know about,, but this year better research prior should help. Other then planning the first three or four days(see some sites) the rest is totally decided in the morning when I get up.... just know when I need to head home.

Thanks for the north rim route

[HIGHLANDER]

Sound like a good trip you have planned. I'm planniing a similar trip in May when the North rim opens up, Including a trip to the north rim, the south rim , Bryce and Capitol Reef. Can't wait!!!