So, who's been to the Grand Canyon?

[Santo_Rugger]

It’s pure awesomeness. I went on a weekend I stayed in Flagstaff, which I really enjoy, also. If you’d like, let me know the week before you’re in Albuquerque. I’ll drive down and buy and you and Mrs. Know dinner. Monday or Wednesday night would be best, as I have rugby practice on Tuesday.

[squeegee]

I did the full boat tour, literally, about 10 years ago. I rode one of the big rafts from Lee’s Ferry to Separation Canyon, around 200 miles on the river, then a jet boat down to the landing in Lake Mead. It took 9 days (could have been shorter, but we dawdled for side trips & hikes). It was utterly awesome, and I’m eager to do it again once my son is old enough to go. Please, all of you, do this if you can, it’s the trip of a lifetime.

I used this company, and my spouse has been twice since then with them. Unreservedly recommended.

[cormac262]

@Xema

I agree that there may not be enough time available.

Albuquerque to Phoenix by way of Flagstaff is not much under 500 miles - call it 8 hours if you don’t stop. The round trip from Flagstaff to the South Rim and back is probably 3.5 hours.

Spending less than 6 hours at the Canyon is going to make you feel cheated (a couple of days is the minimum to claim you’ve really seen it). With around 12 hours of driving necessary, this will be challenging.

An interesting place on a smaller scale that’s almost on your way and worth considering is Walnut Canyon National Monument.

I think posters are mis-reading the OP: they will only have a day to get BACK to Phoenix, but looks like they are going to spend the weekend (Fri - Monday) to get TO Albuquerque. So this should be adequate time to see the canyon.

I also second Walnut Canyon in Flagstaff.

And one more note: in April it will be COLD at the rim of the Grand Canyon. Might even get snow. So dress WARM. And also be prepared for wind.

[want2know]

@blondebear

I’ve been several times; North and South Rim, down to the River, and out to Toroweap. Yep, it IS a big hole in the ground…but it’s filled with wonderful stuff. You have to go down inside it to really appreciate the awesomeness of the place.

One problem, though: You’re leaving Abq on Friday morning and need to be in Phoenix for a game that night? And you want to see the Canyon en route? I don’t think that’s doable, unless you drive really really fast (which you won’t be able to do in most of the Park). Perhaps I misunderstood your itinerary.

You did. We’re leaving ABQ on Thursday morning. I was thinking of doing the Canyon early Friday morning, then going to Phoenix.

Maybe I should save it for another time. It looks like there’s lots to see there. Keep posting, though, Dopers. The info is excellent so far.

[Mama_Zappa]

@Maastricht

If you go back from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix, take the road that passes through Sedona. Stunning road through a beautiful, beautiful landscape. While you approach Sedona, take the time to visit the many stalls and stores along the road that sell the most stunning Indian jewelry.

Specifically, these are at the scenic overlook at Oak Creek Canyon.

I’ll second what Typo Knig said, the Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight.

Unless you plan to do some serious hiking, really you don’t need more than one day there. I would like to return some day, and actually do the walk down to the bottom. Got to get in shape for that first, though!

[Barrington]

@PoorYorick

I saw it as a side trip from Phoenix to Oklahoma City. I remember parking and walking toward it, saying, “It’s gotta be around here somewhere.” Then I saw it.

The phrases “jaw dropping” and “awe inspiring” are overused so frequently. They apply to the Grand Canyon, though. See it, especially early or late in the day.

I concur with this post, and had a similar experience on first arrival.

I’d taken the bus, which dropped me and a semihorde of other tourists in the car park outside Bright Angel Lodge. I was alone, and had no idea where to go. So I went into the reception of the lodge to look for a map or something, and saw an open door at the rear of the reception, leading out onto a patio or something. Out of curiosity, I went through that door; out of sheer amazement and wonder, I stopped in my tracks. There, in front of me, was the grandest, most knee-weakening spectacle I’ve ever seen, before or since.

[Idle_Thoughts]

I went there once and recently myself (about two years ago). Let me tell you, it looks great in photos, but even they don’t do it justice. It was really surprising to me because it was one of the few things I was actually amazed at how big it was…and I already expected/knew it was huge. It’s even bigger than you imagine. Once you’re there and looking at it, it’s hard to wrap your mind around how big it really is.

So to echo/second what a few have already said in here…there are a lot of things described as jaw-dropping and amazing and awe-inspiring. The Grand Canyon is very easily really one of these. In fact, I’d say it was more so than people give it credit for. Even if you’ve heard people go on about it (how great it is) or seen a million photos of it, it still doesn’t do it justice to see it in real life.

I strongly recommend going.

[Telemark]

Viewing the canyon from the rim is amazing.

Viewing it from inside the canyon is better.

As much as I hate telling someone not to go someplace that is a national treasure, save your trip for a time you can actually explore it.

[panache45]

I was there for 5 days in 2006 . . . 2 days on the North Rim and 3 on the South. I did the overnight mule ride down to the river, plus a flight over the canyon, plus rafting and lots of hiking. Definitely worth it. The North Rim is better, since it’s much less crowded and not so much like Disneyland.

And I agree, Bryce Canyon is better.

[blondebear]

I was thinking of doing the Canyon early Friday morning, then going to Phoenix.

Ah, I see. Well, then, I’d say go for it. As is obvious from the other posts, you will either be entranced or less than impressed. The Canyon isn’t going anywhere. You can always go back for a second look. Or third.