How do you get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas or Hoover Dam?
My husband and I are going to LV this week and we are woing to take a day just to drive around and see things that we have never seen, or may never see again. We are going to go to Hoover Dam and then from there we want to get to the Grand Canyon. Just somewhere that we can park and look at the greatness, we are not wanting to go into the canyon, we we do, but don’t think we will have the time. I will make the assumption that there are signs on the highway, so general directions should be fine. Thanks….
Don’t do the Hoover Dam tour and GCNP in the same day , just head straight for GCNP and do the Dam as a quick side trip from LAS on another day.
Leave Las Vegas early so you don’t hit traffic heading over the Dam
Cross Dam
US 93 to Kingman AZ -1 hour-get gas
I-40E to exit 165 SR 64 /Williams AZ about 1.5 hrs
SR64 to GCNP and then follow SR 64 out to Desert View on what’s called East Rim Drive.
Basically what you’re going to do is go straight at the entrance station and rather then make the lefts that will take you over to the Village and places like Mather Point , you’ll make the right at the "T" for SR64/ East Rim Drive and the reason that you’re going to do that is because Lipan Point/ Desert View is the best place to see the Canyon for the first time. Why ?
Unlike many other vistas on the S.Rim where the River can only be barely seen , at LipanPt /Desert View:
The River dominates the landscape
Almost all the Grand Canyon Geology is present in one place
The views to the north and northeast are literally over 100 miles .
Then once you leave Desert View head back to to the Village stopping at everything that says" Point" on the way.Especially Lipan & Grandview Points.
it’s 85 miles from the jct of I-40 & SR 64 to Desert View
Make sure that you have something warm to wear.The S.Rim of GCNP is at 7000′ and it does get cold up there.
Have a good trip
Filed under: Hoover Dam Tours
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Hoover Dam is easily reached. Hoover Dam Tourist Info at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html
The Grand Canyon is besst viewed by air, as it is a long drive out to it. I’d recommend that you check at the hotel for tourist info.
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Google the Chamber of Congress for LV. Call them a nd get accurate info.
You will have a great time. Also, take an extra day if you must but see the Grand Canyon.
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You can ask at the hotel for directions they give a printout of directions to atrractions such as the hoover dam and grand canyon.
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That’s what I did when I visited Las Vegas.
Don’t do the Hoover Dam tour and GCNP in the same day , just head straight for GCNP and do the Dam as a quick side trip from LAS on another day.
Leave Las Vegas early so you don’t hit traffic heading over the Dam
Cross Dam
US 93 to Kingman AZ -1 hour-get gas
I-40E to exit 165 SR 64 /Williams AZ about 1.5 hrs
SR64 to GCNP and then follow SR 64 out to Desert View on what’s called East Rim Drive.
Basically what you’re going to do is go straight at the entrance station and rather then make the lefts that will take you over to the Village and places like Mather Point , you’ll make the right at the "T" for SR64/ East Rim Drive and the reason that you’re going to do that is because Lipan Point/ Desert View is the best place to see the Canyon for the first time. Why ?
Unlike many other vistas on the S.Rim where the River can only be barely seen , at LipanPt /Desert View:
The River dominates the landscape
Almost all the Grand Canyon Geology is present in one place
The views to the north and northeast are literally over 100 miles .
Then once you leave Desert View head back to to the Village stopping at everything that says" Point" on the way.Especially Lipan & Grandview Points.
it’s 85 miles from the jct of I-40 & SR 64 to Desert View
Make sure that you have something warm to wear.The S.Rim of GCNP is at 7000′ and it does get cold up there.
Have a good trip
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Me-Canyon Hiker-used to live about an hour from GCNP
You can’t really take a "quick" trip to Grand Canyon from Vegas. You can do it in a day, but it’s a good 4 1/2 hr. drive if you don’t stop. You will pass the Hoover Dam on your way there. It’s a neat place to stop and look around. If you want to go to the canyon, follow the directions given above. They are the easiest and fastest. You can take 64 along the "east" rim (aka Desert View Dr.) and then meet up with 89 and head south to I40. You will however miss the Grand Canyon Village were most of the buildings are. Desert View has a small store where you can buy a souvenir or two and the tower, but that’s about it. Lipan Point is awesome. It is one of my favorites. There are all great though (you can’t beat the view…lol). I like the village because of all the information available there. You can also park you car and walk or ride the free shuttle around. There is also the visitor’s center. It’s pretty new (built in ‘00). They have tons of info and the rangers there can answer just about any question you have. Also, check out some of the Ranger Talks and Walks. These are free provided by the Park Service and info is in The Guide (a free paper given to you when you enter the park gate). You could really fill a day or 2 at the park. I would say, make a reservation somewhere and make it an over night trip. Also, as stated above, the rim is at 7000 feet, and it does get cold this time of year. You’re looking at 70’s or 60’s as highs and right about freezing at night. Have a good trip and think about maybe spending a little more time at the canyon.
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lived and worked in Grand Canyon for 3 years.
At the Hoover Dam, you can park your car on the other side for free
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Leave early, there can be long delays at the dam. Follow the highway from the dam to Kingman, AZ. Get on I-40 north to Williams and turn left. Just follow the signs. Have a wonderful time. The Grand Canyon is something everyone should see at least once.
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