Grand Canyon, which rim?!

[danisleigh]

We have a 3 week road trip next year and have just booked flights…we have to get back from vegas to LA for a 3.45pm flight so have decided to cut vegas by one night to drive back most of the way the evening before meaning we have 4 nights in vegas. When we had 5 I had a night booked at the bright angel lodge in the middle so 2 nights in vegas each side but now I will only have one night when we get back. Would you cancel the room at the south rim and have an extra night in vegas and just drive to the west rim for the day instead? DS20 is coming with us and think this will be the last holiday he comes on so I don’t want to regret not doing anything and figure vegas is the kind of place we could go back to for a week sometime if we love it and feel like we need to see more? But also don’t want to feel rushed and like we can’t stop and enjoy anything.

[Olympiad]

Hi - it probably depends how much you want to see the grand canyon. If it's a must-see bucket list item then definitely do the South rim for a night. The west rim, while nice, isn't actually part of the Grand Canyon National Park and not as dramatic or impressive.

Also depends how much you want to do in Vegas. We also did 3 nights which was just about enough to get a feel for the place and see some key things.

[Melbatb]

We did 2 nights at the GC South Rim in February. My 20yo son loved it. He also went to Vegas for a weekend (he was studying in LA for the term) and he said he was in no rush to go back - a weekend was enough for him!

So your plan sounds pretty good to me- best of both worlds!

[Mary A]

South Rim. And stay overnight for sunset/sunrise

[YorkshireT]

South Rim. We are driving there and back in a day when in Vegas.
Been before but stopped at Flagstaff before and went from there. Many years ago.

[Wismgari]

I've not been to West rim, but South rim was amazing! We did sunrise and sunset on the same day, as well as many other hikes and I would go back in a heart beat!

[Sandraoh40]

I have been to the west rim and the south. And as much as I loved the west rim, I thought the south was far better.

[captain-codeye]

Glad the south rim gets most votes, I’m heading to the canyon, flagstaff, Sedona and Williams for the weekend whist I’m in Phoenix to hopefully escape the heat for a bit.

[LOU LOU DISNEY]

Definitely the south rim! Its just spectacular 🏜

[danisleigh]

Thanks for all the advice, I will leave it as it is! Worst case if we feel we need to see more in vegas we return another time!