Grand Canyon National
Park sprawls over a million acres in Arizona.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona offers visitors the chance to see one of the planet's natural wonders from the safety and convenience of overlooks along the rim or up close on hikes and mule tours into the canyon. Visitors to the park who want to spend their vacation dollars wisely can save money by paying less for travel, guided tours and concessions. Travelers can plan a cheap trip to the Grand Canyon and still enjoy the scenery and all the national park has to offer.
Instructions
1. Determine how you will travel to Arizona or a neighboring state. Consider driving to the park if you live in a nearby state, especially if you own a motorhome. If you must travel by plane, fly to a major airport like Las Vegas or Phoenix, and rent a car for the 4 to 5 hour drive to the park. Take advantage of Amtrak rail or Greyhound bus service from nearby cities to reach towns near the park, where you can switch to a shuttle service. Purchase a guided bus or motorcoach tour from a nearby city but beware of high tour prices. Take all your travel costs into consideration when deciding reach the park.
2. Find inexpensive lodging near the park. Take advantage of tent and RV campgrounds at the park if you drove your motorhome or brought camping equipment, as Roger Naylor suggests in "Budget AZ -- Free and Cheap at the Grand Canyon." Use Mather Campground on the South Rim or the North Rim Campground on the North Rim for basic facilities like restrooms, showers and laundry. Alternately, look for lodging in area towns like Flagstaff or Williams. Visit in the spring and fall because hotel rates are higher in the summer.
3. Avoid booking a tour company simply for the convenience of getting around Grand Canyon National Park. Use one of the park's free shuttle buses to move from point to point along the rim. Take the blue Village Route (1 hour roundtrip) to reach ranger programs, or the 75-minute red Hermit Rest Route to see scenic and historic sites along the rim. Use the free shuttle buses to guide you through a full day at the park, and take advantage of the free ranger-led programs for educational opportunities.
4. Purchase food at alternate sources in the park. Save money by avoiding the pricey El Tovar Hotel dining room, as Naylor suggests in "Budget AZ -- Free and Cheap at the Grand Canyon." Instead, buy lunch from Canyon Village Marketplace and have an outdoor picnic. Alternately, eat at cafeterias in one of the lodges along the rim for a less expensive option.
Tags: Grand Canyon, Canyon National, Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National, National Park
