A View from the Edge

We were able to visit the Grand Canyon National Park for the first time in May 2023. I hope I'll be able to see as many National and State Parks as possible during my travels and this is a step in that direction.

We were able to spend two days exploring and it was incredible. I hope to go back again sometime soon and maybe see a few things I didn't, like the Visitor Center since it was closed when I was there.

We stayed at the Grand Canyon Camper Village for my visit. It's a large RV Park that is right near the South Entrance. The sites are small and it's right in town, you'll be close to restaurants and gas stations. The site we stayed in was facing another site, so it's like sharing a front yard with your neighbor. It was not an issue though since everyone is there to visit the park which is right around the corner. No loud neighbors to worry about when everyone wants rest to be able to explore the canyon the next day. There are showers and laundry available in the campground and you can even ask for a fire ring if your site doesn't have one. I would 100% choose this campground again for my next visit.

Driving into town w saw pillars of smoke which were from controlled burns in the area, this is important because there was smoke in the canyon during this visit. I found this to be pretty amazing as I can't imagine that this happens a whole lot. I think that there were some complaints about this because when we entered the park on the second day there was a new sign at the entrance; No Refunds Due to Weather or Smoke.

The first day we stopped at all the overlooks along the rim and didn't do much hiking along the Rim Path. We started our day at the Desert View Watchtower. I took the dogs on the walk to see both the tower and the view, Leigh Ann stayed in the truck for this stop because she injured her knee a week before and walking long distance was not something she was up for at that time. For anyone going to visit this spot know that this is one of the spots that has a bit of a walk to see the view. This area was under a bit of construction during your visit so some of the walkways were gravel and some were roped off. There is a small shop at this location and they sell ice-cream which you can sit on their patio and eat while watching the view.

We stopped at every overlook we came across and took some time to enjoy the sites. The first day was so much fun and I took the dogs out at most of the stops. I even Facetimed my mother from the edge of one of the stops just to spook her. It was a great day.

Our second day we decided to try out the kennel they have in the park. It was the pups first time visiting a kennel so I warned the woman working there that the pups might not do well and to give us a call if they're too much. We never got a call, but when I drove back tot he kennel I could hear their howling from down the road. These pups do not like being left behind, but the really don't like having neighbors they cannot play with. We might try a daycare situation next time instead of a kennel. They might do better is they can actually play with the other dogs they can see. I told the lady she could have called us but she toughed it out. I felt so bad that she had to hear them almost all day.

While the pups were in the kennel we stopped at the Bright Angel Bicycles & Café. They rent out wheelchairs and we went and got one for Leigh Ann so she could see some of the areas that involved more walking. I wish we knew about them before because we could have rented the wheelchair for our whole trip. They also rent bikes and strollers. Their shop is right by the Visitor Center and Gift Shop. The Visitor Center was closed during our visit so I have not been inside, thankfully the gift shop was open and we were able to grab a few souvenirs.

I would recommend taking a few days to visit this National Park if you ever go for a visit. Take your time and enjoy it!