Where there is fire there is (generally) smoke!  Fall is the traditional season for managed burns at the Grand Canyon because of the ideal weather conditions.  At this time of year there is generally very little wind, yet it is beginning to cool dramatically and humidity levels are usually a little higher than normal.  The announced burns are scheduled for the North Rim of the Canyon.  Thus the headline, “Smoky Skies” because even if you are visiting the South Rim you will see the plumes of smoke ascending from the North Rim.

It is sad to me that the last two weeks of services at the North Rim will be spent with smoky skies and smoky conditions.  Especially since this is the time when the trees are still showing their colors.  If you are planning to visit the North Rim understand that viewing conditions may not be ideal.  And if you see a plume of smoke arising from the trees near the Entrance Station or within the Park you don’t need to report a fire.

If you would like more details on the burning plans click here.  Keep in mind if you are hiking in the inner canyon (a very popular activity at this time of year) you may experience some smoky skies and reduced visibility because the smoke will likely settle in the Canyon overnight.  If you are visiting the South Rim you may note some haziness and reduced visibility as well.  For more information and a webcam of the Canyon from the South Rim click here.

Webcam View from Yavapai Point Oct 1, 2012

Reading that last post (The Grand Canyon Train: the “right track” for your Grand Canyon vacation”), I though to myself, “hmm, it’s almost as though you’re trying to talk people out of taking the Grand Canyon Railway.” Nothing could be further from the truth! But after 25+ years in the Grand Canyon tour industry, I’ve always said that I’d rather burst your bubble than wreck your Grand Canyon vacation.

The fact remains that if your goal is to see the most of the Grand Canyon in the shortest amount of time, the Grand Canyon Train won’t do this for you. There are certain Grand Canyon visitors that the Grand Canyon Railway is most appropriate for and they are as follows:

1. You’re in no hurry!  This Grand Canyon vacation is all about relaxation and that includes having someone else do the driving, no matter how long it takes. Perhaps you’ve been to Grand Canyon South Rim before and are now revisiting it with out of town guests. A small taste of what’s there will be enough this time around. If that’s the case, take the Grand Canyon Train.

2. You’re a “ferroequinologist,” or in layman’s terms, a “train buff.” You know full well that these old iron horses don’t break any speed records and that’s A-OK with you! The attraction of the Grand Canyon Train is the train itself, not what goes on outside it. Sound like you? Step right up and get your ticket! Best option yet: ride to the Grand Canyon on the Observation Dome, and back to Williams on the Luxury Parlor Car. If your traveling party is all adults (no kids allowed on these classes of service), this option provides the ultimate viewing and relaxation opportunities.

3. You’ve heard the horror stories about Grand Canyon parking and don’t want to  mess with it. IMO they’re a little exaggerated, and things have improved significantly since the addition of a couple more prepaid entrance lanes. But there’s still a grain of truth in those accounts. By travelling through the Kaibab National Forest, the Grand Canyon Railway bypasses the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance gate. Your park entrance fee is included in the price of your Grand Canyon Train ticket. No lines, no hassle.

4. Your kids want to do it. Kids love big machines and the Grand Canyon Railway definitely has a certain attraction for the little ones.  But Mom and Dad should take the time to clearly explain that this trip is going to take a very long time and you don’t want to hear one single refrain of “are we there yet.” Fortunately the Grand Canyon Train staff does a wonderful job of entertaining passengers on the 4.5 hour round-trip journey. Cowboy poets, old-school country singers, a mock train robbery all add to the Old West Historic atmosphere of the Grand Canyon Railway.

If you’ve already considered the facts and decided the full Grand Canyon Railway experience isn’t for you, but are still a bit fascinated by it, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the Grand Canyon Train concessionaire has come up with a solution to “meet you half-way:” The Grand Canyon Railroad Express Tour. Board a van or motorcoach early in the morning at one of the Grand Canyon park hotels and ride down to Williams. In Williams, you would watch the Wild West Shootout show at the Grand Canyon Train depot, then board the Railway and ride back to Grand Canyon South Rim. The bus ride to Williams takes 1 hour; the train ride back take the normal 2 hours 15 minutes. Best of both worlds. You get to experience the Grand Canyon Railway, yet it doesn’t eat up your whole day.

If you’ve come to the conclusion that the Grand Canyon Railway was not what you expected yet still want some of the benefits it offers – namely you don’t have to drive! – potential solutions to this particular problem are:

The Williams Grand Canyon Tour: a comprehensive all-day Grand Canyon South Rim van tour where you get to see the best views, and do the best stuff! Tour price includes the IMAX film presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,” lunch, park entrance fees and you can even upgrade your tour package to include a 30-minute Grand Canyon helicopter flight! Pickup available in Flagstaff, too. Click here for more information on this tour package ->:  The Williams Grand Canyon Tour

The Grand Canyon Jeep Safari & Rim Walk: If you don’t mind driving up as far as Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South, about 1 hour North of Williams, consider the Grand Canyon Jeep Safari & Rim Walk. Departing daily in season at 9.30 AM and traveling down an old stagecoach road, you’ll bypass the entrance gate lines and experience seldom seen vistas in the beautiful Kaibab National Forest.  You’ll enjoy an easy guided walking tour through Grand Canyon Village Historic District, including Yavapai Point Museum and the award-winning “Trail of Time.”  Done in just 3 hours. Click here for more information on this and other Grand Canyon Jeep Safari Options ->: Grand Canyon Jeep Tours (rimside)

It’s time for work – I’m off and rolling!

Good morning travelers. Well, it’s been almost 25 years since the Grand Canyon Train (formally known as the Grand Canyon Railway) rebounded from a 20-year dormancy. I was there to witness its rebirth, but that’s a story for another time. Today, in this age of hybrid cars and phones that fire up with a click instead of a crank, a mystique still surrounds the Grand Canyon’s old iron horse. Every year, passengers of all ages line up by the thousands to experience this fascinating piece of Grand Canyon history. Of those thousands, unfortunately a small percentage of them come back a bit disappointed. For us here at GrandCanyon.com, even a small percentage is too big a percentage.

So why would this happen? It all comes down to one word: “misinformation.” A lot of it still pervades the public image of Grand Canyon Train Tours. We’re talking about it on TripAdvisor.com right now.

TripAdvisor.com: Flagstaff to Williams Hotel 

Original Poster “Carol P” states:

“I am told the Grand Canyon Train also has activities on the train along with a guide explaining what to look for and see. And if we upgrade we can get a glass dome enclosure where we can see all the way around for pictures. It also stops at the rim of the Grand Canyon where I believe I would head for anyway.”

To which Destination Expert “RedRox” replies:

“You are being subjected to aggressive marketing by the Grand Canyon Train. The views you’ll have from the train will be the same boring high desert views that you’ll get from the car, except the train will take 3 hours whereas your car will only take an hour. That’s time that you could better spend at Grand Canyon National Park on the rim, exeriencing the canyon.”

It’s readily apparent to the TripAdvisor panel that Carol P is under the impression that she’ll see the Grand Canyon from the train. The truth: that is NOT the case. The Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona, which is 60 miles due South of Grand Canyon Village.

View Larger Map

Therefore you do not see the Grand Canyon while riding the Grand Canyon Train. You will not see the Grand Canyon at all, until you get to the park and get off the train. You then have the option of exploring the Grand Canyon Village Historic District and Rim Trail on your own, or taking part in a 90-minute guided motorcoach tour.

Another potential disadvantage to using the Grand Canyon Train to get to the South Rim is time: the Grand Canyon Railway is pulled by an antique diesel engine, so it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to make a journey that would take you just 1 hour by car. Once at the park, you only have 3 hours or so to explore the Grand Canyon before you have to re-board the train for the trip back to Williams. So it gives you enough time to get a small sampling of the views that await you at the Grand Canyon, but you only touch the “tip of the iceberg.” There are even more beautiful Grand Canyon views on the East Rim drive, but the layover provided by the Grand Canyon Train doesn’t give you enough time to get there. And forget about trying to squeeze in another activity such as a Grand Canyon helicopter flight or airplane tour. The logistics of getting out to the airport and back will not only eat up your time on the rim, it may even risk delaying your arrival back in the park for the departure of the train. If you’re late, it will cost you a very expensive taxi ride. Don’t try it!

Whether or not to make the Grand Canyon Train a part of your Grand Canyon vacation is a question that has been asked and answered many times here at GrandCanyon.com. So, we made a video about it! Watch it for more detailed answers to the “train vs. drive” debate.

Imagine sitting on a hotel balcony at Grand Canyon South Rim sipping your favorite beverage. Before you in all its glory gapes the one and only Grand Canyon! All this beauty is making you hungry, so you leave behind your lovely Grand Canyon view and adjourn to your room and cook a little something in your room’s kitchen. Quesadillas, some huevos rancheros, maybe warm up the leftovers from that huge Navajo Taco you got at the Cameron Trading Post. Victuals in hand, you return to your seat on your lovely balcony and lose yourself once again in your lovely Grand Canyon view.  And then –  you wake up!!!

Sorry, folks, but this Grand Canyon vacation scene will only happen in your dreams.

Alphonse Karr was a French journalist, novelist and all-around smart alec who lived in the 19th century. Alphonse Karr is also a popular variety of non-invasive clumping bamboo, but I digress. The former Mr. Karr is who I want to bring up: he’s the guy who’s widely credited for saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” What does that have to do with the price of eggs, much less the Grand Canyon?  It means that in this day and age of information overload and ultra-connectedness, where there are no secrets or unknowns about pretty much anything, so many misconceptions still abound about the Grand Canyon, especially when it comes to Grand Canyon hotels.

Case in point: the frequency with which folks still ask “how can I get a room with a view of the Grand Canyon – oh and with a kitchen too?” We’re discussing that very thing right now on TripAdvisor. Take a look:

TripAdvisor Grand Canyon Forum: Grand Canyon Lodging Choices 

Now back in the day when we all thought the Georgia Satellites were going to be the next big thing in rock-n-roll,  I actually had the privilege and pleasure of working as a desk clerk of the world famous Grand Canyon hotel, the El Tovar. If I had a dime for every time I was asked “does my room have a view?” I’d be rich. And if I had a quarter for every time I had to say “no,” I’d be even richer. On a quiet snowy day in December, for giggles and grins I added up all the rooms at all the hotels in Grand Canyon South Rim: El Tovar, Kachina, Thunderbird, Bright Angel, Maswik Yavapai. All put together there are just over 900 rooms in the park at Grand Canyon South Rim. And of those 900+ rooms a mere 6% might – not will, but might – have a Grand Canyon view. And of that mere 6% a …. mere-er (no I don’t know whether that’s an actual word)… 4 rooms… yes people, not 4 hotels, 4 rooms are guaranteed to have a Grand Canyon view! That’s it and that’s all!  And yet the traveling public assumed that getting a room with a view wouldn’t be a problem – that was back in the day when we relied on *gads* newspapers, magazines, radio and TV for our information, people!

In fact a post I wrote on this very subject on TripAdvisor a few years back was so well-received it was “promoted” to the list of “Top Questions to Ask About the Grand Canyon.”

TripAdvisor.com: “How can I get a Grand Canyon hotel room with a view?”

Here’s the facts, folks: a room with a view is very hard to come by. Even those rooms that might have a bit of a view aren’t guaranteed of such since one man’s panorama is another man’s postage stamp. Trees, shrubs and other obstructions might block your view slightly too. But here’s the thing: if you’re hanging out in your hotel room during the daylight hours on your Grand Canyon vacation, ‘Houston, we have a problem!’ The whole point of visiting the Grand Canyon – or any National Park for that matter – is to enjoy the treasures that lie outdoors, not the indoors. Your hotel room should just be a place to lay your head after a fulfilling and exciting day of sightseeing. If you happen to be fortunate enough to score rooms at one of the park’s venerated Historic Landmarks, like the El Tovar or Bright Angel, consider yourself lucky, because you are. But if you’re expecting the Four Seasons, here again, you’ve bought into someone else’s myth and not reality.

Oh, almost forgot about kitchens. Grand Canyon South Rim hotels have mini-fridges but no microwaves. Most Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South hotels have both mini-fridges and microwaves; some will allow you to ‘rent’ these items for a nominal fee. But if it’s a full kitchen/kitchenette you want/need, you’ll have to stay in Flagstaff, which is about 90 minutes South of the park. Seriously, unless you have very strict dietary needs, food allergies, etc. that would make utilizing the on-site dining facilities problematic, having a kitchen should be very low on your priority list. Highest priority: being as close to the Grand Canyon as you can.

Here’s a video that discusses all Grand Canyon South Rim lodging options both in and out of park:

Visitor:
What is the cost for entry to grand canyon?
Rita:
It is $25 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.
Rita:
This is for the Grand Canyon South Rim or North Rim.
Visitor:
What is the cost for the observation tower?
Rita:
For Desert View? There is no charge that I know of.
Visitor:
We are going to watch the video first and then I we have any ques we will ask….thx for assistance.

Rita:
Hello, thank you for visiting GrandCanyon.com. Can I help you in any way?
Visitor:
How much are helicopter tours?
Rita:
Will you be in Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon South Rim?
Visitor:
Don’t know. We will be coming in from Southern Utah.
Rita:
The Grand Canyon South Rim would be the closest for helicopter rides:
Visitor:
Cost?
Rita:
http://grandcanyon.com/grandcanyonhelicoptertours.html
Rita:
Current prices are $159 to $239/pp
Visitor:
Thx
Rita:
Thank you for visiting!

May 13, 2012

(16:48:12)  Visitor – Oh, I just need some information about visiting the place.  We are coming from Salt Lake City and were kind a wondering which part of the area would be much closer from Salt Lake City?
(16:48:21)  Rita – One moment please.
(16:51:09)  Rita – The Grand Canyon North Rim is actually closer to SLC.
(16:52:21)  Visitor – Thank you, do you have the address?
(16:53:28)  Rita – I don’t believe there is an address for the North Rim. It is very remote. You might try Jacob Lake, AZ 86022.
(16:53:37)  Rita – Jacob Lake is 45 miles North of the North Rim.
(16:54:50)  Rita – Or Fredonia, AZ 86022. That is 75 miles North of the North Rim
(16:54:58)  Visitor – Oh ok, I just look up the place on the website, it seems that it’s too remote and you’re right. What about from Vegas? What area is much closer?
(16:55:20)  Rita – From Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon South Rim is about a 5 hour drive. There is an area called Grand Canyon West, that is about 3 hours from Las Vegas, but it is not part of the National Park.
(16:56:54)  Visitor – Ah okay, and which part would you recommend to be the best place to visit Grand Canyon if we are coming from Vegas, or SLC. That would not take us too much miles to drive.
(16:57:56)  Rita – Unfortunately, the distances I gave are the shortest to see the Grand Canyon. However, we do offer day tours from Las Vegas to the South Rim and to Grand Canyon West:  http://grandcanyon.com/las-vegas-tours.html
(16:58:49)  Visitor – For how much a person for a tour bus? and how long? Just a rough estimate…
(17:00:12)  Rita – Bus trips are all day, 10-12 hours, and range in price from $99 per person to $269 per person depending on what you would like to do and see.
(17:01:26)  Visitor – ok thanks for the info. I’ll just visit the link you recommend and see what we can do. You’ve been so helpful have a nice day!
(17:01:46)  Rita – Thank you! And, thank you for visiting GrandCanyon.com!

Visitor - I am trying to plan a vacation for my parents so I’m looking to see what is available…
Rita – Are they interested in visiting the Grand Canyon South Rim?
Visitor – What is the South Rim?
Rita – The Grand Canyon has “rims” you can visit.
Rita – Each one offers a different experience
Rita – The South Rim is the most visited, the most accessible to the public
Visitor – How can I find out what they are like?
Rita – Let me find some information for you.
Visitor – So, do you recommend the South Rim???
Rita – Here is a Travel Planner: http://grandcanyon.com/pdf/2012-grand-canyon-trip-planner.pdf
Rita – When people see pictures of the Grand Canyon it is usually of the South Rim. It has beautiful views and offers more in the way of lodging, restaurants, museums.
Rita – Here is some more information for you: http://grandcanyon.com/travel.html
Visitor – Are there tours available from Las Vegas?
Rita – Definitely! Let me find those for you.
Visitor – You are so helpful!
Rita – Las Vegas tours:  http://grandcanyon.com/las-vegas-tours.html
Rita – Several of the tours from Las Vegas cover an area called Grand Canyon West.
Rita – Grand Canyon West is not located in the National Park, but is on Indian Tribal land, and is a high desert region versus the forest area of the South Rim.
Visitor – So would the South Rim be nicer?
Rita – The South Rim is considered the “true” Grand Canyon National Park. However, Grand Canyon West is in the Grand Canyon.
Visitor – Oh, I see.
Rita – There are tours from Las Vegas that take in the South Rim.
Rita – These tours are all day tours because of the distance.
Visitor – How far away is Las Vegas?
Rita – The South Rim is 5 hours from Las Vegas, while Grand Canyon West is only 3 hours from Las Vegas.
Visitor – Is Las Vegas the closest place to fly to?
Rita – Las Vegas is usually less expensive air fare from most cities, but Phoenix is about the same distance from Grand Canyon South Rim.
Rita – There are commuter flights into Flagstaff, AZ from Phoenix.
Rita – Flagstaff is about 90 minutes from the South Rim.
Visitor – Oh, I see. I think Las Vegas will be the most economical than for them.
Visitor – What time of year is best?
Rita – Spring and Fall are best. The summers are hot in Las Vegas and warm at the South Rim, although not as hot as Las Vegas.
Rita – Would you like lodging options for the South Rim? They do book up quickly.
Visitor – Are there tours that include lodging?
Rita – We offer day tours or less. We can only recommend lodging.
Visitor – Ok. Is it cheapest to lodge in Las Vegas or at the South Rim?
Rita – Las Vegas hotels are very reasonable and plentiful.
Rita – The South Rim lodging is more expensive and there are not as many options to choose from.
Visitor – So then the tour would begin at Las Vegas?
Rita – Yes, many of the tours do begin in Las Vegas and include hotel pick up and drop off.
Visitor – Thanks so much for your help. You have given me some good ideas. I will continue looking around.
Rita – Take your time, and let me know if you need more information!