The south rim of the Grand Canyon is about an hour’s drive north of Flagstaff. During the summer months, the 25-mile entrance road can seem like little more than a long traffic jam that moves in fits and starts, but late March-early April will give you time to exchange greetings with the few people you see. The souvenir vendors that normally line Highway 64 to sell their wares don’t even bother to set up for the few cars that whiz by. As for the canyon, it’s awesome. But keep in mind that this is high country and temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s are common. (Coming after long a Wisconsin winter as we do, this doesn’t bother us, but it scares off thin-skinned southern tourists in droves). Bring plenty of film, since every scenic vista will be nearly yours alone to photograph. This is some of the most fabulous scenery in North America and Grand Canyon National Park attracts nearly 5 million visitors annually. Fortunately for you and thanks to good timing, you may not encounter more than a few hundred of them.

Call it hokey, but we picked up a copy of the ‘Grand Canyon’ music tape at the gift shop as accompaniment to our drive to the various parking spots along the rim from scenic vista to scenic vista and it truly did contribute to the experience. (Many of these places were empty or nearly so in late March). It was a memorable day, but we did not feel we needed a second day, opting instead for other environs in the larger region.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is about an hour’s drive north of Flagstaff. During the summer months, the 25-mile entrance road can seem like little more than a long traffic jam that moves in fits and starts, but late March-early April will give you time to exchange greetings with the few people you see. The souvenir vendors that normally line Highway 64 to sell their wares don’t even bother to set up for the few cars that whiz by. As for the canyon, it’s awesome. But keep in mind that this is high country and temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s are common. (Coming after long a Wisconsin winter as we do, this doesn’t bother us, but it scares off thin-skinned southern tourists in droves). Bring plenty of film, since every scenic vista will be nearly yours alone to photograph. This is some of the most fabulous scenery in North America and Grand Canyon National Park attracts nearly 5 million visitors annually. Fortunately for you and thanks to good timing, you may not encounter more than a few hundred of them.

Call it hokey, but we picked up a copy of the ‘Grand Canyon’ music tape at the gift shop as accompaniment to our drive to the various parking spots along the rim from scenic vista to scenic vista and it truly did contribute to the experience. (Many of these places were empty or nearly so in late March). It was a memorable day, but we did not feel we needed a second day, opting instead for other environs in the larger region.