The Grand Canyon is likely one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. And rightly so. In the event you’re RVing Grand Canyon Nationwide Park whereas hauling your bikes, you’ll want to see all of it—and you almost can!
Taking your bike on an RV journey is right, particularly for RVing the Grand Canyon. After touring across the U.S. (and different international locations) full-time over the past 5 years, now we have discovered that the place you’re taking your RV is just not essentially the place you need to experience, and vice versa. Nonetheless, if you take your bike to the Grand Canyon, you may experience to locations you would by no means take your RV.
RVing the Grand Canyon: A Motorcyclist’s Perspective
One of many first issues you’ll want to do is e-book a campground. Remember that some campgrounds don’t allow bikes. Verify on ALL the campground guidelines earlier than reserving. It isn’t essential to discover a campground within the nationwide park. A number of campgrounds round Williams and Flagstaff can have aggressive pricing. They’re round 1–1.5 hours away from Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. So, you may benefit from the experience there, too. When you’ve got a toy hauler for bikes, you might must camp exterior the park as a result of there is just one RV park that takes RVs as much as 50 ft lengthy. Since you’ve got particular wants for carrying bikes, we suggest reserving a yr upfront if you happen to can. You possibly can all the time use RV LIFE Campgrounds to see if there are any last-minute websites obtainable.
As soon as your RV is safely parked at an simply accessible campground, buy your park entry cross. The doorway charge for bikes is $30, making a bike entry cheaper than that of an auto or RV. The cross is sweet for seven days for each rims. Make sure you take your credit score or debit card as a result of money is just not accepted and you’ll’t buy on-line.
North Rim Motorbike Rides
Begin on the Grand Canyon Lodge driving north. Cease on the North Rim Customer Middle for restroom and questions. It’s a scenic 55-minute experience however you’ll want to see the North Rim Lookout Tower which can make it an hour and 40 minute experience. There’s a North Rim Picnic Space so pack some lunch if you wish to take a break. Or, you may dine on the lodge earlier than heading out. There are gas stops at the start and finish of this route in Jacob Lake. A gas station is on the North Rim Nation Retailer after you cross the North Rim Lookout Tower. This can be a good add-on experience if you’re near this location.
U.S. Hwy 89A (North of the Grand Canyon)
- If you wish to lengthen your Grand Canyon Freeway experience, you may add 47 minutes. This one begins at Jacob Lake and ends in Marble Canyon. There are a number of websites to see alongside this route. Cease for views on the Home Rock Valley Overlook. Go to the Vermilion Cliffs Nationwide Monument and the Dominguez Escalante Expedition Monument. If you wish to perform a little mountain climbing, you may see the Sand Hill Petroglyphs north of 89A on this neighborhood. Just a little previous Marble Canyon, you may stroll the historic Navajo Bridge. Trip the Lees Ferry Street and enter the Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space when you have time. You possibly can see the Cathedral and Balanced Rock websites.
Cape Royal Street
- As an alternative of driving Freeway 67 (Grand Canyon Hwy), veer off at Fuller Canyon and take Cape Royal Street. These are among the highest views. It’s a couple of 35-minute drive however stops will make it for much longer. The primary a part of the experience is simply lovely surroundings, nice driving, and curvy roads. There’s a picnic cease on the Vista Encantada Picnic Space if you wish to convey some nibbles. The primary scenic cease shall be on the Roosevelt Level Overlook. Take pleasure in that break as a result of will probably be some time earlier than you cease on the Walhalla Ruins. Then you’re a quick distance from Angels Window. You possibly can cease on the viewpoint for it after which to the walkable ledge that juts out into the canyon.
U.S. Hwy 89A (South of Flagstaff)
- In case you are tenting round Williams or Flagstaff, Arizona, this southern curvy extension of 89A is well worth the journey. This experience begins on the Tuzigoot Nationwide Monument Customer Middle in Clarkdale, Arizona. Go to the Jerome Ghost City if you happen to like oddities. Midway by way of this 40-minute experience, there may be the Mingus Summit Relaxation Space and Picnic Website. The map ends the curves on the fringe of the Coconino Nationwide Forest. Finish your experience there, flip round, or head into Prescott Valley for refueling.
South Rim Motorbike Rides
The South Rim shall be your extra touristy space. There shall be entry to extra gas stops, eating places, and outlets right here. However it is going to even be extra crowded.
Scenic View Drive (Hwy 64)
The south entrance is simply previous Tusayan, Arizona. This experience is about 1.5 hours. Beginning in Tusaya, you’ll finish on the Navajo Parks & Recreation with Hwy 64 ending in Hwy 89. This may take you longer than 1.5 hours as a result of there are lots of lookout factors you’ll want to cease at alongside the best way. Some require a brief hike however most are proper off the freeway. Listed here are some you’ll encounter:
- Pipe Creek Vista
- Shoshone Level
- Duck on A Rock Viewpoint
- Grandview Level
- Grandview Lookout Tower
- Moran Level
- Tusayan Damage
- Navajo Level
- Desert View Watchtower
- Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Signal
- Lee Canyon View
- Little Colorado River Gorge Overlook
Hermit Street
This street is the “different half” of the scenic outlooks on the South Rim. As an alternative of going east on Hwy 64, you’ll head west out of Grand Village Canyon. As a straightforward location, you may start this experience on the Grand Canyon Railway and head west on Hermit Street. The experience is beneath half an hour however the stops will take longer! Additionally, this street lifeless ends so you’ll return to the identical route. There’s a restroom on the finish. All of the views shall be in your proper on the experience out. Select stops you might need to do on the best way again that can have good visibility for crossing. Listed here are among the scenic stops you’ll have:
- Grand Canyon South Rim
- Path View Overlook
- Maricopa Level
- Powell Level
- Hopi Level
- Mohave Level
- Nice Mohave Wall Viewpoint
- The Abyss
- Monument Creek Vista
- Pima Level
- Hermits Relaxation
Basic Motorbike Suggestions for Using the Grand Canyon
- Hold your tank full. Fuel stations are restricted in sure areas of the park.
- There aren’t any bike mechanics close by, so convey your instruments and guarantee your bike is in high efficiency.
- The North Rim is closed December 1st–Could 15th for visitors.
- One of the best time to experience contemplating the climate, vacationer crowds, and so on. could be the final two weeks of Could.
- Except you want bundling up and driving in wintery climate, the following finest time is the top of September.
- It takes about 4.5 hours to experience from the South Rim to the North Rim. That doesn’t embody stops! In the event you plan on driving the North Rim, you might think about spending one evening away out of your RV to experience this space.
- Solely about 10% of vacationers make it to the North Rim so this makes for nice driving!
- Obtain the Nationwide Park Service Cellular App. You possibly can obtain the knowledge and entry it offline in your telephone whereas driving in distant areas.
- All of the rides listed are paved roads.
- The rides supplied don’t embody your experience time to get there nor return experience time.
Gear and Climate
In the event you journey in the summertime, anticipate thunderstorms from July–September. For experience days name Grand Canyon Nationwide Park at (928) 638-7496 for a recorded message on street circumstances. Throughout thunderstorms, lightning could be a problem. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Service gives a couple of suggestions you’ll want to know if you’re a motorcyclist.
- Transfer away out of your metallic bike, which may conduct electrical energy.
- Take away your helmet when you have electronics or metallic connected.
- Transfer away from the canyon edge.
- If in an open space and may’t discover shelter, crouch on the balls of your ft together with your heels touching, head down, and palms overlaying your ears away out of your bike and different folks. Your palms shouldn’t contact the bottom. Don’t lie flat on the bottom.
When packing in your RV Grand Canyon journey, you’ll have house for numerous climate gear. Benefit from the room and convey provides for rain, chilly, and warmth. Verify the climate earlier than your experience as a result of it may be 20–30 levels cooler on the increased elevations. Use the Nationwide Climate Service for intensive data if you’re unfamiliar with driving in a location.
Using at Larger Elevations
I get the query quite a bit about how elevation could have an effect on your bike. You expertise temperature modifications at increased elevations, and your bike does, too. I’ve ridden in elevations above 8,000 ft. I’ve gone from 4,515 to eight,675 ft in half-hour. The elevation within the Grand Canyon is round 7,000-8,000 ft, relying in your particular location. At these elevations, you barely discover any affect on the experience or the tire strain. For older carbureted bikes, you will have bother beginning. Simply regulate your bike’s tire strain.
Generally I uncover I’m holding my breath as if the surroundings earlier than me may disappear if I stirred. Don’t miss a chance to take your bike to new heights whereas RVing Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Attempt to not take tons of of images. Spend a while simply inhaling the views. The experience recollections shall be spectacular!
Journey Planning
For assist mapping out your route in your subsequent RV getaway, look no additional than RV LIFE Journey Wizard. This on-line planning device makes it straightforward to plan an RV-safe route. It could possibly additionally find attention-grabbing websites alongside the best way, all in response to your journey preferences. Get RV LIFE Journey Wizard and the RV LIFE app, and begin planning your journey right now!
