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Tara O
Where are planning a trip to camp at the Grand Canyon this summer. I have a 3 and 5 year old. I also would appricate details of what kind of things we can do with small children while at the Canyon. Thank you so much!
Answer
First off, you need to decide which rim you want to visit: the North Rim or the South Rim.
Most people go to the South Rim because it is easier to reach and is more developed with more overlooks, lodges, cafes and several good-sized towns (Flagstaff and Williams) nearby. The North Rim is harder to get to, only has one lodge and no large towns nearby. Because it is a thousand feet higher in elevation, it is cooler than the south rim and closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-May). During summer, I prefer the North Rim because it is cooler and less crowded, but young kids might find more things to see and do at the South Rim.
At either rim, you only have one real camping option for kids that young and that is the drive-in campgrounds (one at each rim). They are both very similar and pretty nice with a picnic table at each site and central bathroom facilities. They are also both a ways back from the rim, which make them a bit more peaceful, but also means you either have to drive to reach the rim and overlooks or go for a fairly long walk. You can reserve campsites online and should make reservations well in advance (see links below).
Beyond the car campgrounds mentioned above, there are also primitive backpacking campsites in the canyon itself (not recommmended for kids that young) as well as camping 'at large' in areas of the National Forest surrounding the park (the better locations being on the north rim to the west of the park - but these can be tough to reach).
As far as things to do for kids at the South Rim... kids at that age are probably not going to be entranced with scenic natural views for long or up for long hikes. There is a nice free shuttle that runs along the rim from the lodges out to Hermit Rest with stops along the way and the driver telling stories about the canyon - most kids and adults would probably enjoy it. They would probably like watching the burros and their attending cowboys at the corral near Bright Angel lodge. The large patio area along the rim behind Bright Angel lodge is also a good place to see squirrels, ravens and sometimes condors (not to mention ice cream from the nearby snackbar).
There are usually a number of ranger talks each day, many of them at the Shrine of Ages auditorium near Yavapai Lodge. The park also has a junior ranger program where children go to various exhibits and talks to get stamps and win a junior ranger award. The 3 year old would probably be a bit young even for that, but the 5 year might enjoy it.
There are fewer attractions for kids at the North Rim, but it has the benefit of having more open space and less roads and traffic. There are lots of places there for kids to run around in the trees and play with pinecones and sticks (my main memories of going there as a small kid). Along the road to the Cape Royale overlook there is a nice little hike called Cliff Springs trail that would be suitable for kids that age. It goes a mile into a small side canyon to a pretty little seep spring - it is fairly level and despite the name, you are not walking along any cliffs.
First off, you need to decide which rim you want to visit: the North Rim or the South Rim.
Most people go to the South Rim because it is easier to reach and is more developed with more overlooks, lodges, cafes and several good-sized towns (Flagstaff and Williams) nearby. The North Rim is harder to get to, only has one lodge and no large towns nearby. Because it is a thousand feet higher in elevation, it is cooler than the south rim and closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-May). During summer, I prefer the North Rim because it is cooler and less crowded, but young kids might find more things to see and do at the South Rim.
At either rim, you only have one real camping option for kids that young and that is the drive-in campgrounds (one at each rim). They are both very similar and pretty nice with a picnic table at each site and central bathroom facilities. They are also both a ways back from the rim, which make them a bit more peaceful, but also means you either have to drive to reach the rim and overlooks or go for a fairly long walk. You can reserve campsites online and should make reservations well in advance (see links below).
Beyond the car campgrounds mentioned above, there are also primitive backpacking campsites in the canyon itself (not recommmended for kids that young) as well as camping 'at large' in areas of the National Forest surrounding the park (the better locations being on the north rim to the west of the park - but these can be tough to reach).
As far as things to do for kids at the South Rim... kids at that age are probably not going to be entranced with scenic natural views for long or up for long hikes. There is a nice free shuttle that runs along the rim from the lodges out to Hermit Rest with stops along the way and the driver telling stories about the canyon - most kids and adults would probably enjoy it. They would probably like watching the burros and their attending cowboys at the corral near Bright Angel lodge. The large patio area along the rim behind Bright Angel lodge is also a good place to see squirrels, ravens and sometimes condors (not to mention ice cream from the nearby snackbar).
There are usually a number of ranger talks each day, many of them at the Shrine of Ages auditorium near Yavapai Lodge. The park also has a junior ranger program where children go to various exhibits and talks to get stamps and win a junior ranger award. The 3 year old would probably be a bit young even for that, but the 5 year might enjoy it.
There are fewer attractions for kids at the North Rim, but it has the benefit of having more open space and less roads and traffic. There are lots of places there for kids to run around in the trees and play with pinecones and sticks (my main memories of going there as a small kid). Along the road to the Cape Royale overlook there is a nice little hike called Cliff Springs trail that would be suitable for kids that age. It goes a mile into a small side canyon to a pretty little seep spring - it is fairly level and despite the name, you are not walking along any cliffs.
What is a good breakfast food while camping?
YouRockRoc
I'm going on a week long camping trip and I need to know what to eat for breakfast!! I am a vegetarian and I need something that is fairly easy, but tastes good. I don't want to be eating granola bars each morning, and veggie burgers for breakfast just doesn't sound that great.
Answer
I think cereal is a great breakfast on the trail. Don't use those damn packets. They are horribly over processed and over packaged...and over priced.
Cream of wheat is a nice compact box that will feed you at least a week for 3 dollars, cooks up fast, and is very filling, also very high in iron which is esp good for a vegetarian. You could also do any granular cooking cereal...malt-o-meal, Ralston whole wheat cereal, cream of rice, grits, etc...if you want to mix things in, you have to keep it separate from your cereal before you cook it or those items will burn. But you can mix your brown sugar, dried fruit, cinnamon into a customized topping you whipped up at home, and add it all from one container to save litter and keep things easy. I like old peanut butter jars for stuff like this, whenever I need something sturdy and I don't want lids to pop off and spill...if you are backpacking put your cereal in one, and your toppings in another. If you are car camping, just bring it in any airtight container and take good care of it.
Oatmeal can be done just the same but if you are backpacking it isn't nearly as compact.
You can also make yourself single serves of grape nuts and eat them cold. Good and sturdy cereal that won't get crumbled to bits. In quart zipper bags, pour your cereal, your sugar, and your powdered milk. Then add water each morning.
I think cereal is a great breakfast on the trail. Don't use those damn packets. They are horribly over processed and over packaged...and over priced.
Cream of wheat is a nice compact box that will feed you at least a week for 3 dollars, cooks up fast, and is very filling, also very high in iron which is esp good for a vegetarian. You could also do any granular cooking cereal...malt-o-meal, Ralston whole wheat cereal, cream of rice, grits, etc...if you want to mix things in, you have to keep it separate from your cereal before you cook it or those items will burn. But you can mix your brown sugar, dried fruit, cinnamon into a customized topping you whipped up at home, and add it all from one container to save litter and keep things easy. I like old peanut butter jars for stuff like this, whenever I need something sturdy and I don't want lids to pop off and spill...if you are backpacking put your cereal in one, and your toppings in another. If you are car camping, just bring it in any airtight container and take good care of it.
Oatmeal can be done just the same but if you are backpacking it isn't nearly as compact.
You can also make yourself single serves of grape nuts and eat them cold. Good and sturdy cereal that won't get crumbled to bits. In quart zipper bags, pour your cereal, your sugar, and your powdered milk. Then add water each morning.
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Title Post: Where is the best place to camp in the Grand Canyon with young children?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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