Visit to grand canyon in a day? Williams or Flagstaff or grand canyon village? (Phoenix: hotels, most dangerous)

[Dangerous-Boy]

If I were to visit the grand canyon, where should one stay? Williams or Flagstaff or grand canyon village?


What hotel is worth staying at for a night in williams or grand canyon village?


Are there still tours at the grand canyon? I don't really want to hike alone and get eaten by a mountain lion or get bitten by a rattle snake. What parts of the canyon are worth visiting?


is it super hot there right now?


need more passenger rail in AZ.

[exit2lef]

If you like trains as indicated in the last sentence, you might want to stay in Williams and take the Grand Canyon Railway, a privately operated vintage train, from there. There are packages that combine a hotel stay and a train ride:

https://www.thetrain.com/

Most tours at the canyon itself have been suspended due to the pandemic; however, the trails at the South Rim are so well-traveled that you're unlikely to encounter dangerous wildlife. Just look where you put your feet and hands to avoid rattlers and don't be tempted to feed or pet the excessively docile deer around Grand Canyon Village.

Heat is a bigger risk than animals. The rim of the canyon will be fairly cool, but as you descend into the canyon itself, the temperatures increase. Keep that in mind in deciding how far down to hike. It's always to harder to hike uphill on the way back out of the canyon, and the heat makes it worse. If you're not an experienced hiker, there's nothing wrong with a gentle walk along the rim.

[grmi66]

The most dangerous animal at the Grand Canyon are the squirrels. People try to feed them and get bit.

I've gone in and out of the canyon at least a dozen times, you don't need a guide and don't need to be a "Nervous Nelly" about wildlife.

The South Rim is generally the temperature of Flagstaff and the interior of the canyon is the temperature of Phoenix. It's very hot at the bottom of the canyon. I'm an experienced GC hiker and I won't go down to the bottom of the canyon until October. But instead I will go as far as the Tonto Trail (about 3-4 miles below the rim), but make sure I'm turning around to get back up by 9 AM.

[volosong]

One day? There is a lot to see from the South Rim Trail. Safe enough. Just don't be one of those idiots that crawl to the edge of the rim to have their picture taken. Stay on the trail, and you will be fine. There are enough people on the trail that snakes tend to stay away, as do the cats. I second taking the train from Williams.

Even though you can see a lot from the rim trail, you get a whole different perspective when you go down into the canyon. But, for a one day trip, I wouldn't go off the rim. Not enough time before it gets too hot to hike, (unless you are an experienced hiker and outfit yourself for hiking in hot temperatures).

I assume you are talking about the south rim. The north rim of the canyon is a whole different experience. A lot higher in elevation, so the temperatures are more moderate. Not as much to see and do as on the south rim, (that is man-made stuff - however much more "nature"), but well worth the time and effort to get there. Don't think there are many hotels close to the north rim, so not easy, quick access.

[Dangerous-Boy]

I don't want to deal with Yuma weather so i may skip the hike. I don't have the gear or the mindset. this is basically, see it, take a selfie, been there done that just incase I don't ever come back.

[Sorel36]

Originally Posted by Dangerous-Boy

I don't want to deal with Yuma weather so i may skip the hike. I don't have the gear or the mindset. this is basically, see it, take a selfie, been there done that just incase I don't ever come back.

You will totally be missing out if you don't hike down at least mid level. You can take the Bright Angel trail and make sure to hike back up AFTER the sun gets past the west wall, this way as you're climbing up facing south the sun isn't beating down on you. Bring both hot and cool weather clothing as well as Gatorade and a snack and you should be fine.

[Dangerous-Boy]

Originally Posted by Sorel36

You will totally be missing out if you don't hike down at least mid level. You can take the Bright Angel trail and make sure to hike back up AFTER the sun gets past the west wall, this way as you're climbing up facing south the sun isn't beating down on you. Bring both hot and cool weather clothing as well as Gatorade and a snack and you should be fine.

I'm in Yuma outside during the weekdays. its slowly killing me. I also don't normally hike. Is this an easy walking path? Is there cell service?

[wit-nit]

At the GC, just go, drive the paved road to the dozen or so turnouts and get a great view from each, take photos, stop at one of the few places for a snack, get a tee shirt, 6-8 hours and you've done the tourist thing then drive back home/motel and say "I've been there.
Staying overnight we stayed at the Best Western in Williams., nice & clean. There are other motels in Williams to stay at. You may have to book way in advance.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Dangerous-Boy

I'm in Yuma outside during the weekdays. its slowly killing me. I also don't normally hike. Is this an easy walking path? Is there cell service?

It's easier than some of the other trails inside the canyon, but it's still steep and full of switchbacks. If you don't normally hike and have to ask about cellular service, don't do it. You can walk along the rim with zero elevation change and still have a nice experience without needing to be rescued by park rangers.

[grmi66]

There is spotty cell coverage inside the park and general area. Verizon has the best service.

If all you want is a selfie, park your car in the visitors lot and walk a very short distance to the rim. I've seen some pretty hefty tourists waddle that far to peer over the edge.