Breaking down Day 6 in our Southwest USA Screensaver Family Road Trip through Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. What did we do on the way to the Grand Canyon and exploring the South Rim?
So, how did we find ourselves at one of the Seven Wonders of the World – geography! As we started our plans for the Southwest USA Screensaver Family Road Trip, Mr. McKinney was doing our research and said, affectionately, “we are going to only be 5 hours from the Grand Canyon, we should add that to our trip.” So, we did!
Honestly, I’ve always known the Grand Canyon was something I’d like to see someday because, well its the Grand Canyon, but it wasn’t on any bucket list that I silently have going. It’s just something that’s cool and an American icon and we should see it. But, I was crazy. It’s really unfathomable even when you are standing there looking at and it and I caught myself so many times wanting to just see it from all the angles and as often as I could. It was hard to step away from.
It’s THE GRAND CANYON. And, it’s way cooler than I ever imagined.
I feel like when we go back, I will make sure we have so much more time planned and I will have researched and mapped our route without restraint or regard for time. I’ll also see that we go back in spring or fall when it’s not quite as hot and we can do some more mountainous exploring. When you are at the Grand Canyon with an 18month old, you don’t stand close to the edge and you always seem to have your eyes going in different directions.
If time had allowed, we would have for sure wanted another full day and morning at the Rim. We might have added a half-day hike and/or a helicopter tour. We would have driven around and pulled off at all the overlooks. We might have gone around to the North Rim. It really is an in believable place and no doubt why it’s one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
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Which for the record, I now have a new set of bucket list items and they include the different versions of the 7 Wonders of the World. Natural, Ancient, Original, General, they are all on the list now! I feel like I have a new punch card I want to complete.
Traveling from Durango, CO to the GRAND CANYON
First tip – get up early and make the most of the day. Leave as early as you are able to because you have a lot of driving to do today and you want to get to the Grand Canyon as quickly as possible. But, you may have some things that distract you along the way. And, they are worth looking for.
- Ute Mountain Tribal Visitor Center – it was not open the day we stopped. We needed a safe parking lot, but it seems that there are some tribal artifacts and information. If nothing else, it makes a safe pull off for a picture of the Ute Mountain. A great geological wonder.
- Four Corners Monuments (wanted to add UT to the list!). It’s a good pull-off along 160. $5 per adult and kids and seniors have different prices. Local artists are set up in booths around the perimeter to sell all kinds of souvenirs. You can make this simple with a pull-off and picture or stop, shop, eat and get back on the road. I will warn you, there is a protocol that you take a picture for the person before or after you, just figure out what the routine is and play along. Also, if the wind is blowing figure out which direction it is coming from so it blows the wind out of your face and you have a picture you actually want to use. (see, I’m full of all kinds of helpful info!)
- There is a Navajo Center just a little bit up the road in Arizona. So many artists, jewelry, pottery, and a great spot to stretch your legs.
- Then, lots of wide-open driving. I used this part of the trip to be productive and write and read. But you could have some fun car games or car topics to talk about. Or just give everyone quiet time to do their own thing. Make sure you gas up before you leave Cortes. There is not much for a LONG time.
- Kayenta is a good stop. A hidden gem is the Navajo Code Talkers exhibit and Navajo Cultural Center inside the Burger King. I know you think I’m crazy, but there is a great patio for eating, and the exhibit is worth the stop, even if for ice cream and a potty break.
- Keep your eyes open, the terrain changes quickly, there are stops for authentic handmade jewelry and home goods. There are pull off and monuments, as well as roadside art pieces and some of the paintings are incredible.
- Stop in Cameron for gas, snacks or potty breaks before you get on the drive into the Canyon.
- I will say, if you have not done your research, there is a little town not far from the turnoff into the park, following signs towards the airport, that had hotels and lots of restaurants. Just a good to know thing if you are not planning to stay in the park. But, we highly recommend staying in the park at the Historic Village, it was such a great experience.
7 Tips for Exploring the Grand Canyon
- Give yourself plenty of time. You really need at least 2 days. You do not want to be rushed. When you first pull in to the park, you are going to want to pull off at every stop and explore all the things. Plus, this is just a place where you want to just take in a deep breath and see everything in front of you. I found myself just standing on the edge and staring. That kind of stuff takes time and you do not want to be rushed. Plan lots of time for standing and staring.
- Get a map and get your bearings. We explored the South Rim, but I really should have had a map and understood all the pull-offs and then the Visitor Center vs. the Village. It was just a lot to gather all at once. And, I had no idea all of the things going on at the Visitor Center and then there was a trailhead, and then a store, awareness videos, etc. Just know there is a lot to see, and eat. I had read some of the best food in the park was at the food truck at the Visitor Center area and the line was long but moving fast, so it could be a good option.
- All the things they say about parking are true. There are big parking lots, but they get full quick. If you are not staying in the park, I would totally suggest you park and ride the shuttles. They seemed to be a very organized system and way to get around. If you hang for sunsets there is probably a bit of a line to get on the bus, but I was just really impressed with the hop off, hop on process.
- Eat at all the places. We ate both our meals at the Harvey House Cafe. I thought we were headed to the Arizona Steakhouse for dinner, but I was wrong and its because I just didn’t have my bearings and I was trying to keep it simple. But the team was great and it truly felt all fun and vacation-y. Its probably cheaper to bring food and picnic and we did some of that for Little Man, but if you are just there for a couple of days, take advantage of the great food and good service. It’s a varied cuisine so you have plenty of options.
- Stay in the Historic Village – we stayed in a Bright Angel Cabin and enjoyed it. It was not as rustic as either one of us expected and we would totally stay there again. The village in the park was a cool place and made for a perfect evening and easy next morning to see the canyon at Sunrise if you wanted to. I mean our real goal was to stay at El Tovar, but you can’t do that when you plan 7 days out. But, it would be so special to stay right on the rim and open up your window and see the rocks.
- Do the Xanterra tours. We really enjoyed our sunset bus tour and now that I’ve been there, I think I’d rather do a sunrise tour (hence the reason I think you should stay at least 2 days). Our original plan was the sunrise tour, but that day would have been the start to our day home and we didn’t want to make it any longer than necessary. But, the tour company was great, our guide was super knowledgable and even pointed out some endangered birds that started circling us. It wasn’t rushed and it came and went from our hotel lobby. Our next goal is to do a mule ride into the ranch at the base.
- We pre-paid for our park pass online and it made getting into the park much easier. But, they did take cards and cash at the gate.
One of my favorite things in life is to be with someone when they experience something for the first time. But, to be with my boys as I experienced something for the first time is a day I’ll never forget. Oh, and if you are on our Christmas card list, you better go ahead and expect these trip pictures in your mailbox in December.
Southwest USA Screensaver Epic Family Road Trip Itinerary
If you missed any of the previous posts from this epic family road trip with a toddler, check out the full itinerary below:
