The Grand Canyon is among the new Seven Wonders of the World. And rightly so. In case you’re RVing Grand Canyon Nationwide Park whereas hauling your bikes, it would be best 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 during the last 5 years, we’ve got discovered that the place you’re taking your RV just isn’t essentially the place you wish to experience, and vice versa. Nevertheless, if you take your bike to the Grand Canyon, you may experience to locations you might by no means take your RV.
RVing the Grand Canyon: A Motorcyclist’s Perspective
One of many first issues it would be best to do is guide a campground. Remember that some campgrounds don’t allow bikes. Test on ALL the campground guidelines earlier than reserving. It’s not 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. In case you have a toy hauler for bikes, you could must camp outdoors the park as a result of there is just one RV park that takes RVs as much as 50 toes lengthy. Since you may have particular wants for carrying bikes, we suggest reserving a 12 months prematurely in the event you 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 move. The doorway payment for bikes is $30, making a bike entry cheaper than that of an auto or RV. The move is sweet for seven days for each rims. You should definitely take your credit score or debit card as a result of money just isn’t accepted and you may’t buy on-line.
North Rim Motorbike Rides
Begin on the Grand Canyon Lodge using north. Cease on the North Rim Customer Middle for restroom and questions. It’s a scenic 55-minute experience however it would be best to see the North Rim Lookout Tower which is able to 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 gasoline stops at the start and finish of this route in Jacob Lake. A gasoline station is on the North Rim Nation Retailer after you move the North Rim Lookout Tower. It is a good add-on experience in case you are near this location.
U.S. Hwy 89A (North of the Grand Canyon)
- If you wish to prolong 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 mountaineering, you may see the Sand Hill Petroglyphs north of 89A on this neighborhood. A little bit previous Marble Canyon, you may stroll the historic Navajo Bridge. Journey the Lees Ferry Street and enter the Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space if in case you have time. You possibly can see the Cathedral and Balanced Rock websites.
Cape Royal Street
- As a substitute of using 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 stunning surroundings, nice using, and curvy roads. There’s a picnic cease on the Vista Encantada Picnic Space if you wish to carry some nibbles. The primary scenic cease might be on the Roosevelt Level Overlook. Get pleasure from 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 in the event you like oddities. Midway via 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 might be your extra touristy space. There might be entry to extra gasoline stops, eating places, and retailers 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. It will take you longer than 1.5 hours as a result of there are lots of lookout factors it would be best 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 Wreck
- 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 a substitute of going east on Hwy 64, you’ll head west out of Grand Village Canyon. As a simple 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 useless ends so you’ll return to the identical route. There’s a restroom on the finish. All of the views might be in your proper on the experience out. Select stops you could wish to do on the best way again that may have good visibility for crossing. Listed here are among the scenic stops you should 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
Normal Motorbike Ideas for Using the Grand Canyon
- Maintain your tank full. Fuel stations are restricted in sure areas of the park.
- There aren’t any bike mechanics close by, so carry your instruments and guarantee your bike is in high efficiency.
- The North Rim is closed December 1st–Could 15th for site visitors.
- One of the best time to experience contemplating the climate, vacationer crowds, and so forth. could be the final two weeks of Could.
- Until you want bundling up and using in wintery climate, the subsequent 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 case you plan on using the North Rim, you could contemplate spending one night time away out of your RV to experience this space.
- Solely about 10% of vacationers make it to the North Rim so this makes for excellent using!
- Obtain the Nationwide Park Service Cellular App. You possibly can obtain the knowledge and entry it offline in your telephone whereas using 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 case 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 situations. Throughout thunderstorms, lightning may be a difficulty. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Service provides just a few suggestions it would be best to know in case you are a motorcyclist.
- Transfer away out of your steel bike, which might conduct electrical energy.
- Take away your helmet if in case you have electronics or steel hooked up.
- Transfer away from the canyon edge.
- If in an open space and might’t discover shelter, crouch on the balls of your toes together with your heels touching, head down, and fingers masking your ears away out of your bike and different folks. Your fingers shouldn’t contact the bottom. Don’t lie flat on the bottom.
When packing on your RV Grand Canyon journey, you should have house for numerous climate gear. Benefit from the room and produce provides for rain, chilly, and warmth. Test 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 in depth info in case you are unfamiliar with using in a location.
Using at Larger Elevations
I get the query so much about how elevation could have an effect on your bike. You expertise temperature adjustments at increased elevations, and your bike does, too. I’ve ridden in elevations above 8,000 toes. I’ve gone from 4,515 to eight,675 toes in half-hour. The elevation within the Grand Canyon is round 7,000-8,000 toes, relying in your particular location. At these elevations, you barely discover any affect on the experience or the tire stress. For older carbureted bikes, you will have hassle beginning. Simply control your bike’s tire stress.
Typically I uncover I’m holding my breath as if the surroundings earlier than me may disappear if I stirred. Don’t miss a possibility to take your bike to new heights whereas RVing Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Strive to not take a whole lot of pictures. Spend a while simply inhaling the views. The experience recollections might be spectacular!
Journey Planning
For assist mapping out your route on your subsequent RV getaway, look no additional than RV LIFE Journey Wizard. This on-line planning instrument makes it simple to plan an RV-safe route. It may possibly additionally find fascinating websites alongside the best way, all in accordance with your journey preferences. Get RV LIFE Journey Wizard and the RV LIFE app, and begin planning your journey right now!