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 just about can!
Taking your bike on an RV journey is right, particularly for RVing the Grand Canyon. After touring across the U.S. (and different nations) full-time over the past 5 years, we now have discovered that the place you are taking your RV just isn’t essentially the place you need to journey, and vice versa. Nevertheless, if you take your bike to the Grand Canyon, you possibly can journey to locations you would 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 e book a campground. Bear in mind 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 possibly can benefit from the journey there, too. If in case you have a toy hauler for bikes, you might have to camp exterior the park as a result of there is just one RV park that takes RVs as much as 50 toes lengthy. Since you’ve particular wants for carrying bikes, we suggest reserving a yr prematurely for those who can. You’ll be able to at all times use RV LIFE Campgrounds to see if there are any last-minute websites accessible.
As soon as your RV is safely parked at an simply accessible campground, buy your park entry cross. The doorway payment for bikes is $30, making a motorbike entry cheaper than that of an auto or RV. The cross is nice for seven days for each rims. Make sure to 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 driving north. Cease on the North Rim Customer Heart for restroom and questions. It’s a scenic 55-minute journey however it would be best to see the North Rim Lookout Tower which is able to make it an hour and 40 minute journey. There’s a North Rim Picnic Space so pack some lunch if you wish to take a break. Or, you possibly can dine on the lodge earlier than heading out. There are gasoline stops in the beginning and finish of this route in Jacob Lake. A gasoline station is on the North Rim Nation Retailer after you cross the North Rim Lookout Tower. It is a good add-on journey 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 journey, you possibly can 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 possibly can see the Sand Hill Petroglyphs north of 89A on this neighborhood. Slightly previous Marble Canyon, you possibly can stroll the historic Navajo Bridge. Experience the Lees Ferry Highway and enter the Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space when you have time. You’ll be able to see the Cathedral and Balanced Rock websites.
Cape Royal Highway
- As a substitute of driving Freeway 67 (Grand Canyon Hwy), veer off at Fuller Canyon and take Cape Royal Highway. 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 journey 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 it is going to be some time earlier than you cease on the Walhalla Ruins. Then you’re a quick distance from Angels Window. You’ll be able to 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 definitely worth the journey. This journey begins on the Tuzigoot Nationwide Monument Customer Heart in Clarkdale, Arizona. Go to the Jerome Ghost City for those who like oddities. Midway by means of this 40-minute journey, 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 journey 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 gasoline stops, eating places, and retailers right here. However it should even be extra crowded.
Scenic View Drive (Hwy 64)
The south entrance is simply previous Tusayan, Arizona. This journey 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 numerous 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 below 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 Highway
This highway 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 straightforward location, you possibly can start this journey on the Grand Canyon Railway and head west on Hermit Highway. The journey is below half an hour however the stops will take longer! Additionally, this highway useless 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 journey out. Select stops you might need to do on the best way again that can have good visibility for crossing. Listed below 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
Common 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 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 journey contemplating the climate, vacationer crowds, and so on. can be the final two weeks of Could.
- Until you want bundling up and driving in wintery climate, the following greatest time is the top of September.
- It takes about 4.5 hours to journey from the South Rim to the North Rim. That doesn’t embody stops! In case you plan on driving the North Rim, you might think about spending one evening away out of your RV to journey 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’ll be able to obtain the data 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 journey time to get there nor return journey time.
Gear and Climate
In case you journey in the summertime, count on thunderstorms from July–September. For journey days name Grand Canyon Nationwide Park at (928) 638-7496 for a recorded message on highway circumstances. Throughout thunderstorms, lightning might be a problem. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Service provides a couple of ideas it would be best to know in case you are a motorcyclist.
- Transfer away out of your metallic bike, which may conduct electrical energy.
- Take away your helmet when you have electronics or metallic 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 arms protecting your ears away out of your bike and different folks. Your arms shouldn’t contact the bottom. Don’t lie flat on the bottom.
When packing to your RV Grand Canyon journey, you’ll have house for numerous climate gear. Reap the benefits of the room and produce provides for rain, chilly, and warmth. Verify the climate earlier than your journey as a result of it may be 20–30 levels cooler on the greater elevations. Use the Nationwide Climate Service for in depth data in case you are unfamiliar with driving in a location.
Using at Increased Elevations
I get the query quite a bit about how elevation might have an effect on your bike. You expertise temperature adjustments at greater 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 journey or the tire strain. For older carbureted bikes, you might have hassle beginning. Simply control your bike’s tire strain.
Generally I uncover I’m holding my breath as if the surroundings earlier than me might disappear if I stirred. Don’t miss a chance to take your bike to new heights whereas RVing Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Strive to not take a whole lot of images. Spend a while simply inhaling the views. The journey recollections shall be spectacular!
Journey Planning
For assist mapping out your route to your subsequent RV getaway, look no additional than RV LIFE Journey Wizard. This on-line planning software makes it straightforward to plan an RV-safe route. It may possibly additionally find attention-grabbing websites alongside the best way, all in line with your journey preferences. Get RV LIFE Journey Wizard and the RV LIFE app, and begin planning your journey right now!