This morning on TripAdvisor the “$64,000 question” had to do with congestion in Grand Canyon Park Village at the South Rim. This poster, who was planning on making a Grand Canyon day trip from Flagstaff, had obviously heard and perhaps experienced first-hand some of the horror stories of years past, like hour+ waits at the entrance gate and making multiple circles around the Village Loop drive in order to find a parking space.
I’m pleased to report that several recent developments have ameliorated that particular problem quite nicely. Check out this video from the Grand Canyon National Park Service to see what they’ve done. The biggest and best development was the construction of a very large parking lot adjacent to the Canyon View Information Plaza. If memory serves, it has roughly 900 spaces, and serves as a “hub” for the Grand Canyon Village Shuttle system. So find a space to park there, hop on the shuttles, and voila! You have an easy (and free!) way to get around to the different Grand Canyon hotels, restaurants, gift shops and other visitor services. Those with more time can take the shuttle all the way out to the West Rim Interchange near Bright Angel Trailhead and transfer to the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle, where more awesome Grand Canyon views await.
Another change made in recent years was the addition of several pre-paid entrance lanes at the South and East entrances to Grand Canyon National Park. Those with America the Beautiful Federal Lands Access Passes or other prepaid park entrance fee tickets are welcome to use these lanes to expedite their entry to the park. But these are only to be utilized by America the Beautiful Pass holders or those who have prepaid the Grand Canyon Park entrance fees elsewhere! Those who have not paid their fees and attempt to enter the park via these prepaid lanes will be required to go to the back of the “regular” line.
Some more suggestions to avoid the congestion that is still invariably present at Grand Canyon South Rim during the summer months:
- Time your visit to avoid the peak visitation hours between 10 am and 3 PM. That’s when the day-trippers from Las Vegas and Phoenix start to arrive, and that’s when parking can be more difficult to find
- If making a Grand Canyon day trip from Flagstaff, take the “long way in.” As TripAdvisor contributor “MikePinTucson” suggests:
Admission no problem at all if you use the east entrance. We have never encountered more than 2 or 3 cars ahead of us at that entrance.Drive along the east rim drive, stopping at all or most of the viewpoints (do not miss Desert View). Parking can be a problem right around the rim lodges. But if you park nearYavapai Lodge, it shouldn’t be much of a problem. Then you can take the free shuttle to the Village area and the Hermit’s Rest road.
- Then take the “short way” out: via Highway 64 to I-40 and Williams, or the more scenic Highway 180 which can be accessed at Valle Arizona. Here’s a map of what that total drive would look like:
The typical Grand Canyon Day Trip from Flagstaff entails a 90-minute drive each way via the most direct route. Using the above route, expect to add at least another 90 minutes onto your drive time; and don’t be surprised if it takes a little longer. The Grand Canyon East Rim is one of the most beautiful drives in Northern Arizona, so don’t be surprised to find yourself stopping at one of the over half a dozen named viewpoints along the Grand Canyon Rim. But you’re on vacation, so hopefully you’re in no hurry!
18 Responses
Thanks for the info, our time is tight. Is 3 hours 44 minutes the approx time from start to finishing the east side?
Hi Linda,
The 3 hours and 44 minutes is Google’s estimated driving time for driving that route. That doesn’t allow any time for viewing the Canyon.
Thank you, for this GRAND INFORMATIVE SIGHT🙌it will make mine(been there w/late husband) and now will be taking our 13 yr.old grandson to this most momentous adventure😁Thank you for y’alls hard work😊
If I am flying from San Diego and meeting several folks (who will be driving through the night) from the same departure location what airport do you recommend I fly into? We are talking about sometime the 1st week in July. We anticipate to stay someplace in the Flagstaff area, maybe with family.
Nancy,
Most of the Major Flights from San Diego to the Grand Canyon area take you to either Phoenix or Las Vegas. Then you would have to Rent a Car and drive to the Grand Canyon. It’s usually 4 1/2 hours from Las Vegas and about 4 hours from Phoenix.
American Airlines (operated by Skywest Airlines) flies from Phoenix to Flagstaff. So, based upon on what you have described. I would look into flights that go from San Diego to Flagstaff on American Airlines.
Skywest Airlines is one of my previous employers when they used to fly to Page, Arizona via Flagstaff.
Choose either a Hotel that has Airport Pickup or you will need to Rent a Car in Flagstaff.
I hope that helps.
Thank You,
Karlyn
You can fly directly into Flagstaff. There is a connecting flight in Phoenix. We fly from San Luis Obispo into Flagstaff often.
We will be coming to Flagstaff in couple weeks but want a quick trip from Flagstaff to see Grand Canyon. Will not have all day to see it. Would you recommend just going to Dessert View. We are in our 70s and just want to stop by and not lot of walking
Glenda,
No problem…just go to Desertview from the East Entrance…and if you feel like you want to see more then you can continue on to Navajo Point, the Tusayan Ruins, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and maybe even Grandview Point.
Enjoy,
Karlyn
We are coming from San Diego, want a short stop, no more than 3 hours and then continue on to Flagstaff. What would be the shortest way to do this? As in, what should I put into our GPS, stop to see and way to exit?
F.Siler,
You will want to follow this route on Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/MU3LaRsDaFdTaow38
It takes you in the South Entrance after departing I-40 at Williams, Arizona then takes you out the East Entrance to Highway 89 at Cameron, Arizona before sending you back South to Flagstaff, AZ.
This will give you about as much time on the South Rim as Chevy Chase took in Vacation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNwo2NpmGY
🙂
Enjoy your Visit,
Karlyn
Can a trip to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff be made in the winter?
Letty,
Absolutely, you do need to be prepared for inclement weather and snow, however, that can be one of the best things about your Visit to the Grand Canyon!
Enjoy,
Karlyn
Coming from Las Vegas in a rental and have several days to stay. Do you advise staying near the southern rim? And wil the shuttle take you from the hotels there around the other rims of the park?
Martha,
Yes, I do advise staying near the South Rim, however, the Shuttle System is limited this year with COVID.
Learn more here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm
So I’d recommend you drive your Rental into the Park and use the Shuttles that are available from there.
Enjoy Your Visit,
Karlyn
Hi we are traveling by car from Bryce Canyon, down to Flagstaff and then to Sedona and want to stop at the Grand Canyon on our way. We will be in the area of GC in early June mid week. We prefer to drive the more scenic route out of the GC down to Flagstaff but I am confused about what is the best route overall within Grand Canyon park itself. Specifically, what advise do you have about what entrance to take into the Grand Canyon (prefer not the busiest), ease of parking, etc.
Ericka,
Here is the best route using the East Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park (Google Map Link): https://goo.gl/maps/aWgRJZAioS1a2UAY6
Enjoy,
Karlyn
Hello,
Thank you in advance for your help. We are flying into flagstaff around In October noon on a Thursday and wanted to enjoy the grand canyon before going to phoenix where will we staying. Do you have a suggested route and suggested method of transpo (is car rental best?) Thanks again! 🙂
Dr. Brown,
Yes, at this time Car Rental is best from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, then back down to Phoenix.
The other option you can look into is Groome Transportation at:
https://groometransportation.com/flagstaff/
Enjoy,
Karlyn