things to see when visiting grand canyon area

[wolverinesr1]

i plan to go to the grand canyon by the end of next summer.it is something that i have always wanted to see. i would love to get to some ideas of things to do and see there,and also anything else that might be somewhat close to that area..
thanks jeff

[sdommin]

I could spend weeks in that area and not get tired of it. Within a few hours drive from the Grand Canyon are:

- Zion Nat'l Park (probably my favorite)
- Page, AZ (slot canyons)
- Monument Valley
- Canyon de Chelly

Depending on where you're flying in, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Valley of Fire State Park might be close (they're about a 4 hour drive from the Canyon). Some folks will tell you to spend time in Sedona, AZ, but its charms have escaped me and I don't think it can hold a candle to the more dramatic scenery in southern Utah.

As for the Grand Canyon itself, there are many hiking trails you can take on foot, or you can go by donkey. When you first get there, drive all along the rim to scout out photo locations you want to come back to. The best times for photos are sunrise and sunset (no surprises there!). Here are some G2 shots of the general area from a few years ago:

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/adventures_out_west

and some more from this year:

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/utah04

[wolverinesr1]

Thanks Scott,
thats just the kind of information i was looking for. i will be driving from mich to arizona,but if all the rest of that is only 4 hrs away i will have to try to fit that in too. i never gave utah a thought ,but after looking through your gallery it definitely looks worth the trip. i might have to take more tome off to fit it all in.
thanks jeff

[sdommin]

Well, I should have known by the "Wolverines" nickname (I grew up in Ohio)! If you're driving from Michigan, that's even better. Go through Denver, then take I-70 to Utah & make your way down through Moab (Arches & Canyonlands Nat'l Park - both well worth it), then through Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a great trip - yes, you might need more time!