Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Valley National Park, 53 miles from Furnace Creek. If you don't want to drive
through the park, take U.S. 95 North 154 miles to Nevada State Route 267, then
drive 26 miles to the Castle.
THE GRAND CANYON
Created more than 6 million years ago, carved by the Colorado River, the
Grand
Canyon
(
%
928/638-7888; www.nps.gov/grca;
$
25 per vehicle)
is one of the
Seven Wonders of the Natural World. It's so large that it's visible from outer space.
The Grand Canyon's South Rim is located about 280 miles from Las Vegas, and
for first-time (and second-time and third-time) visitors, this side is the most stun-
ning. Pictures, movies, guidebooks—nothing can adequately communicate the
sheer immensity of this canyon other than seeing it for yourself.
You have quite a few options for getting there.
Be warned:
The more time you
spend looking online, the more the choices seem to multiply. The best way to plan
your trip is to decide how much time and money you're willing to spend, and
what kind of itinerary you'd prefer. The tour companies offer flight, and
land/flight (you fly there and then take a bus around different stops along the rim)
packages that have such options as a pontoon down the Colorado River, free time
for hiking, gazing, mule riding, and more. Because I can't plan your trip for you,
I've listed reputable places that can. The best thing to do is either consult their
websites and search the packages they offer, or call them and tell them what you
want. Also, be sure and look in publications such as
What's On
for coupons, and
search online. At the time of this writing, there were actually a few tours for sale
on eBay at good prices.
Also, an option that wasn't yet open as of this writing is the West Rim's
Skywalk, which is a horseshoe-shaped glass-bottom bridge that will jut out 70 feet
into the canyon, giving way to unrivaled views of the canyon floor, 4,000 feet
below. Located 2
1
⁄
2
hours from Las Vegas by ground, this will no doubt become a
popular stop on many tours.
By Land:
Four to 5 hours each way is quite a trek for a side trip, but it's cer-
tainly not impossible. If you prefer ground transportation, renting a car and driv-
ing yourself is one option. It's quicker than a slow and unwieldy bus, and you're
in control of your own schedule.
Alternatively, and although I tend to stay away from guided tours, this does
seem to be a destination where leaving the driving to a professional would be a
relief. If you prefer to stare out the window and listen to a knowledgeable tour
guide talk about the area, call
Papillon
(
%
888/635-7272 or 702/736-7243;
www.papillon.com).
Its tour costs $85 and lasts about 13 hours.
By air:
If you prefer to fly over the canyon, prepare to spend around $200 to
$300 (more if you want to add on boat rides or other variables) and expect it to
take about 8 hours. The major operator here is
Scenic Airlines
(
%
800/634-6801
or 702/638-3300; www.scenic.com),
which operates deluxe tours that fly over Lake
Mead and Hoover Dam, educating passengers about history and geology along the
way. The tour includes transportation to and from your hotel. Planes are small,
and you'll feel the turbulence. Taking Dramamine beforehand isn't a bad idea.
