Griswold's Flagstaff to North Rim

This will be our family's first (and most likely only) big vacation so yes, it will be a Griswold tour! Family of 4, 2A + 2 Teens (who have never even flown before, so yes, a trip of a lifetime for them!) We get into Flagstaff at midnight (yes I know, frequent flier miles) pick up rental car the next day. I managed to get 2 nights on the North Rim in a Western Cabin. Question is, driving from Flagstaff to N. Rim that first day, is it possible to stop by the S. Rim for a "look see" and still make it to the N. Rim by sunset or is this impossible? We can cancel one night at the N. Rim and stay near S. Rim but I hate to do that. I've been to both rims and love the North but this is my children's first trip so I want them to at least have a quick look at the South Rim if possible. I'd like to think we will be on the road by 9am but realistically it will be 10:00 or even 11:00, but if I can manage to pick up the car and load up the kids by 9:00 that is my goal! We will be heading to Aspen from N. Rim, so will not be wanting to back track to S Rim. Thanks in advance. I appreciate all the useful information on this website and will be using it extensively to plan our route from N. Rim to Aspen (5 days).

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I think you should certainly should have time to get at least a quick look at the South Rim. What I would do is to take US-180 towards the South Rim, but as you get there, don't turn to go into Grand Canyon Village, instead, continue toward the east rim - and enjoy the viewpoints along desert view drive.

That will give you a taste of the south rim, without quite the time commitment and congestion that can come with the busier parts of the south rim.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I think you should certainly should have time to get at least a quick look at the South Rim. What I would do is to take US-180 towards the South Rim, but as you get there, don't turn to go into Grand Canyon Village, instead, continue toward the east rim - and enjoy the viewpoints along desert view drive.

That will give you a taste of the south rim, without quite the time commitment and congestion that can come with the busier parts of the south rim.

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We decided to stay a night at the Thunderbird on the South Rim so the kids can get the full S. Rim experience. We will be leaving hopefully before 11 am to drive to the North Rim. Driving from South Rim to North Rim I see we will want to stop at Marble Canyon and probably take a drive to Lees Ferry so the kids can "touch the water". Are there any other stops we should make on the trip to the North Rim now that we have more time?

You may like to stop at Horseshoe Bend and make the short walk to get yet another view of the canyon and the river.

Lifey

On your way into the N Rim stop at Jacob Lake Inn, corner of US 89A and AZ 64 for treats at their bakery counter. A meal at the lunch counter is also good. And while we are talking food Cameron trading post, just north of where you come out of the S Rim and turn north on US 89 is worth a stop, even if only to use the restroom. Make sure to look in the dining room - the rug and stained glass displays are beautiful, and the food is always very good. At the north end of the parking lot, in a stand alone building is a store set aside for the high-end native crafts - museum quality. T

Thank you so much! The suggestions are just what I was looking for and I really appreciate it. I already had Horseshoe bend in mind but I was going to do that on our way from Zion to Monument Valley. After 2 nights N Rim we have 2 nights at Zion, one night monument valley, then 4 nights near Aspen where my husband and I used to work on a guest ranch. I think we will be ready for the mountains by then!