The Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim bus is easily the most economical way to get to the national park. It’s comfortable, too, especially if you travel aboard one of today’s luxury motor coaches. Before you climb aboard and settle into your plush seat, here are seven things you need to think about before you hit the road:
1. The South Rim is 270 miles away from Vegas and takes 5.5 hours to reach by bus. Tours include up to three hours at the rim. Travelers return to their Strip hotel around 9 p.m. Conservatively, budget 15 hours for this trip.
2. Review your itinerary and see if it includes a stop at the second-tallest bridge in the U.S. The new Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010 and it’s a sight to behold. Even better is walking across it. The excitement comes from being suspended 900 feet above the Colorado River. And the view of Hoover Dam is incredible.
3. See if lunch is included. This trip is a long one and you will get hungry. Breakfast will get you as far as Kingman, AZ (make sure to load up on snacks here). The typical box lunch is OK for lunch. I suggest satisfying your hunger at the restaurant in the Bright Angel Lodge, where the servings are huge and delicious.
4. Dress for the weather. During summer, bring a hat, sunscreen, lots of water, and loose clothing like long-sleeved shirts and pants. Bring a windbreaker if you have one. South Rim winter’s are much colder than what you’ll experience in Vegas. I recommend you dress in layers for comfort and warmth. Bring a hat and/or beanie, scarf, gloves, and a medium weight jacket. Put on a pair of sturdy shoes or boots. A pair of YakTrakz anti-slip walker-crampons are a great way to deal with icy conditions.
5. Make sure to your issue of “The Guide.” The Park Service puts out this wonderfully informative publication. Updated quarterly, the newspaper has information about Park history, museums, gift shops, restaurants, the best view points, and a map of the free shuttle bus system. In my opinion, it’s the key that unlocks all the Park’s fabulous features.
6. Not all lookouts are created equal. Time is limited and you want to make sure you see the most-famous viewing points. My suggestions include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, Hermit’s Rest, and Yaki Point. Do sunrise at Mather and Sunset at Hopi Point. The view from the Rim Trail behind Bright Angel Lodge is also good (below you’ll see Indian Gardens and a tiny bit of Phantom Ranch).
7. Remember: What goes down must come up. South Rim trails are world-class. But they are steep. I suggest taking a leisurely 30-minute stroll down and then turning back. Over the summer, bring lots of water and a salty snack like trail mix during the summer. Take lots of breaks going up. There’s no rush. Stand to the side to let mule trains pass.
South Rim bus tours from Las Vegas are a hit with Las Vegas travelers. And for good reason. It’s cheap, includes lunch and all park entrance fees, and its done on a state-of-the-art luxury bus. It’s also a sightseeing paradise. On the way, you’ll see such western icons as Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Kaibab Plateau, and the Colorado River. If you are looking for an affordable, fun way to do the South Rim, this bus trip is absolutely the way to go.
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