Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Monument Valley

Hi,

we've (me & wife) finally bought our ticket for the US experience this summer.

The first part of the trip, we'll be flying to Las Vegas and then Grand Canyon - Monument Valley vast area so if anyone could give us some advice on where to stay (areas) and what to do, please? (we'll be hiring a car) Which rim to visit in the Canyon? We love hiking so hike down the canyon is a must. How many days should we allow for this area? 4/5/6? we'll be flying to Yosemite and California afterwards.

any help much appreciated!

thanks in advance!

I am going to suggest you hit Zion NP on your way to the North Rim (NR). You can visit Zion and still be at the NR by dark. The NR is at higher elevation than the SR, cooler and much less crowded. The NR gets about 10% of the visiotrs, the SR 90%. You can stay at the GC Lodge at the rim, outside the park. Jacob Lake Inn quoted just under $100/nite for a cabin, Kaibab Lodge the same price range. Fredonia has more options, but is over an hour drive from the NR.

After the GC you can drive over to Monument Valley in about 4 hours from the NR. You may want to see Antelope Canyon, just outside of Page AZ. Not many place to stay in Monument Vally, Kayenta may be the best option. You can head back to Vegas from MV or head north and visit Canyonlands & Arches NPs if you have time.

The other option is to hit the SR, stay in Williams, Tusayan or at the rim, about 5 hours from Vegas. Then over to MV, back to Vegas via Zion NP.

Hope this helps and good luck with your planning.

I suggest that when going to Monument Valley you book at Gouldings Lodge. It does cost a bit more, but it is right in Monument Valley (the only hotel there)--and the views from there are phenomenal--and they have a nice pool and good restaurant (I've stayed here before). Plus, the rates aren't so bad right now considering how the economy is. Kayenta would be my second choice.

The link is at:

www.gouldings.com

Be sure to book wherever you decide to stay early. Because of the vast distances between towns, if your hotels are all booked up, you could end up having to drive 4 hours to get to the next closest ones. Oh, and get gas often too.

I agree with the rest of vegasmike's comments completely--and would suggest that visiting Lake Powell, which is just outside of Page, Arizona, is definitely also worth doing.

Enjoy