Grand Canyon – One of the Seven Wonders – 2 Week Itinerary

Our trip to the Grand Canyon was planned about 9 months in advance.  Since it is such a long trip there, we wanted to be sure to incorporate as many other sights along the way as possible.

Day 1

We started in Houston and drove the first day to Waco.  Our campground of choice in Waco is the Airport Park COE . Located on Lake Waco, the campground offers large sites with a lake view.  Not all sites have a sewer connection so be sure to choose carefully if that is a requirement for you.  Since we were only there for the night, we just used the dump station at the exit on our way out of the park.  We used the rest of our day to catch a couple of the attractions that we were interested in at this stop.  We visited the Mammoth National Monument (located about 10 minutes from the campground) and the Dr. Pepper Museum in downtown Waco.

Day 2

Our second day was a drive to Lubbock.  This was just an overnight stay for us.  We stayed at the Lubbock KOA .  The RV park is nice, has a dog park and pull through sites to allow us to avoid unhooking our car.

Day 3

From Lubbock, we proceeded to Bernardo, NM.  We stayed at the Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel .  The location is a little remote, but the RV park is very clean and neat.  They have nice laundry facilities and a good sized dog park.  We selected this stop to allow us to visit the Very Large Array .  We went in our car, but there is a parking lot that will accommodate an RV.  For anyone who has seen the movie Contact, this is a must see.  And for anyone who hasn’t, it’s still an interesting stop.  Allow about 3 hours (including the drive from the RV park) to take this in.  There is a visitor center/museum and a Telescope that you can get very close to.  Be sure to visit the website for the hours and rules regarding the use of electronic devices.

Day 4

Our next stop took us to Holbrook, AZ.  We selected the Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA to spend the next  3 nights.   The RV park was very nice.  Clean with large sites, a nice dog park, good laundry facilities and be sure to try the nightly cookout.

During this part of the trip, the interstate runs over and criss-crosses the original Route 66 numerous times.  Holbrook still has some of the sites like the Wig Wam Motel .  You can actually still stay in the Tee-Pee shaped rooms.  We only stopped for pictures, but still very cool.

Day 5

Our next day was spent at Petrified National Forest. Allow an entire day for this stop.  There is a 26 mile road that goes through the Park with numerous stops.  Wear comfortable shoes for walking to really be able to experience everything that the park has to offer.  We wore hiking boots and while they aren’t required, they are appropriate.  Also,be sure to bring refillable water bottles and snacks.  There are some stations to refill water bottles.  There is not a place to buy bottled water or food along the way.  Take the time to stop and walk the trails.  Each one offers something unique to see or experience.  DO NOT take the petrified wood home.  There are tons of signs and still we saw people carrying it out.  Given the number of visitors, this is certainly a situation where if everyone took one, then soon there would be nothing to see.  Not to mention the fact that it is illegal.

Day 6

This day took us west of the RV park.  We visited Meteor Crater Natural Landmark first.  Though privately owned and a little pricey, this is definitely a stop to make.  The tour guide was very informative and the size of the crater is amazing.  You get to go a portion of the way around the crater and must be accompanied by the guide.  No one is allowed to go in the crater.  The museum is very interesting and laid out well.  The path is paved and hiking boots are not required.

Our next stop was Winslow.  For the Eagles fans out there, you can actually take a picture  Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow, AZ. Take time to have lunch at one of the local restaurants along Old Hwy 66 and for a trip to the past, tour the La Posada Hotel.

Our final stop was unplanned, but we were very glad that we took the detour.  We visited Homolovi State Park. This Park features several archaeological sites featuring ancient pottery and pueblos that still in place on the ground.  It is allowed to pick it up and look at it, but again, it shouldn’t be taken as souvenirs.  It is the only place I have visited that you actually got to hold items on this age.  It’s best to allow a couple of hours to walk around at the state park.  Comfortable footwear should be worn and again bring your refillable water bottles.  Be sure to check the website for details on hours and admission fees.

Day 7-10

We drove from Holbrook to Trailer Village RV Park.  Though the drive is on the interstate, but be sure to check the weather for wind advisories and pay close attention when driving.  Strong gusts seem to come out of nowhere and without warning.

Plan for the drive into Grand Canyon National Park to take a while.  Everyone, whether visiting for the day or camping, comes in through the same entrance.  There is an admission charge that is in addition to the fees that you pay for your campsite.  Follow the map carefully when going to the rv park.  There is more than one campground and larger rigs will have a problem navigating in the campgrounds made for smaller rigs.  Once you check in at the campground, it was easy to find our pull-through site and get set up.  Sites are a nice size and feature a picnic table and full hook-ups.  I will say we ran our heater more than our air conditioner during our late May trip.  Wear layers of clothing because the mornings tend to be very cool and then the temperature warms up during the day.  Oh and that bike rack you have been meaning to buy, well buy it before you go to the Grand Canyon!  There is a bus/shuttle service available, but there are paved walking/bike trails to get you almost everywhere in the park.  Avoid driving your car once you are in the park.  Traffic is very congested and parking is hard to come by.

Give yourself several days to see the Canyon.  From one end to the other, the Canyon offers unique and spectacular views.  The view changes at different times of day also.  Though you have to get up very early, catching the sunrise is amazing.  No such thing as a bad picture!

For those looking for a little adventure, try taking a guided bike tour with Bright Angel Bicycles.  We did the Hermit Road Tour.  Tons of stuff to see and the tour guides have lots of information to provide about the Canyon and its history.  Don’t worry, most of the ride is downhill and a bus drives you back.  Book your tour in advance.  It can be booked online.  We heard tons of people walk up asking about taking a tour, only to be disappointed because everything was booked up.

For those looking for a LOT of adventure, plan a trip to the bottom.  It is advised that you plan to spend at least one night in the Canyon and not try to do it in one day.  You must pack your own water and food/snacks.  There are few to no water refill stations along these trails.  The trails are well laid out, but not paved.  They are somewhat steep and remember what goes in must come out (and that includes YOU).  Spending the night in the Canyon requires a permit that you acquire from the Back Country Office.  There are restrictions and limited quantities are issued.  Be sure to get the details and requirements.  We do plan to do this, but need to spend some serious time on the treadmill to get ready for the hike.

There are some special tips for your visit.

1.        The wild life, no matter how friendly they may seem, are still wild.  Elk will come right up to your campsite.  While this is very cool, it is also very dangerous.  Do not attempt to pet them.  They are looking for water and food, not affection.

2.       Speaking of food, don’t feed the wildlife.  This includes the cute fuzzy squirrels.  One of the park rangers told us that the most common injury for visitors of the Grand Canyon is squirrel bites.

3.       Wear appropriate footwear.  Most of the paths around the rim are paved and frequently wheelchair accessible.  The trails down into the canyon are not.  Hiking boots are the way to go for traction and to avoid injury.

4.       Relax, it’s not going anywhere.  You should expect crowds and having to wait to get the perfect shot.

5.       Watch where you are going… This may seem obvious, but most of the Rim Trail while wide and easy to navigate, doesn’t have a handrail.  Don’t get too close to the edge, there can be loose gravel and rocks.

6.       Let the folks at home know that you won’t be calling or texting (or emailing either for that matter).  Cell service in the park and surrounding area is almost non-existent.

Day 11-12

After enjoying our time at the Grand Canyon, our next stop was Albuquerque.  We stayed at the Albuquerque Central KOA.  It was very clean, the sites are paved and well laid out and easy to navigate.

Our first afternoon there, we just set up and relaxed.  The next morning we went to see some of the sites.

We visited Petroglyphs National Monument.  Worth the trip.  Hiking boots are a good idea for the second site that is available.  You get to see the petroglyphs up close and personal.

We also visited Unser Racing Museum.  If you have any car fans in your midst, definitely worth the stop.  The museum is well laid out and has a lot of interesting historic information even for the non-car person.

Day 13-14

Our final two days are just getting home.  We spent the night in Abilene at the Abilene KOA.  It was a nice park located on the Interstate.  Leaving the park looks strange on the GPS, but is easier to deal with than it appears.  We just relaxed at the RV park (plus it was like 100 degrees and after the pleasant temperatures of New Mexico and Arizona, it seemed miserable).On the last day, we travelled from Abilene back to Houston.