I eventually got to visit the Grand Canyon last week. I stayed in Vegas and did the 13hour day tour and then Red Rock a few days later.

I have heard so much hype with the Grand Canyon that I expected it to be massive but it wasn't anywhere near as big as I expected. I still am happy to have seen it. What were your thoughts on the Grand Canyon? My wife said it is what she expected. I expected something 3 or 4 times deeper and bigger.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shannon,

For myself, the size of the Canyon is just one among the many impressions. The colors of the rocks as the sun rises and sets, the enormity of the horizon, the wonder of the geology, the unique sense of place. And yes, it certainly was big enough for me.

On a 13-hour tour (bus?) from Las Vegas, you probably didn't see much of the Grand Canyon. Where exactly did you go?

Paul,

Did you actually go to the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon National Park, south rim), or did you go to the so-called "west rim", where the skywalk is? That area is not part of Grand Canyon National Park, and the floor of the canyon there is only about 2,000 feet below the rim, compared with over 5,000 feet deep at the south rim.

In 13 hours, you certainly can't see much of the south rim, since it is a good 5+ hours from Las Vegas to the south rim. I would also assume you had a stop somewhere along the way for a break or lunch or something. So, if it were the south rim, I don't see how you could have spent more than a couple of hours there, if that.

From the South Rim, I was impressed to say the least. Awe-struck might be more accurate.

I told my wife, "It looks like a giant mural being held up by helicopters at each end - it can't be real!"

Wow. The GC was one of those places that even though I'd seen pictures a thousand times, I was blown away in person. I can only guess that perhaps on such a short trip, where I bet you had a couple hours, looked over the rim and went into the gift shop, maybe it just didn't sink in.

I've been twice to the South Rim. The first time in 1977 in the winter. Very beautiful in the snow. We went again the past fall, and quite frankly, it will be the last time. I was unimpressed, mostly because of the crowds, traffic noise, and the overpriced items in the stores. We were camping in a tent and could hear the traffic all night long. The next morning we contended with the crowds arriving in the numerous buses. Yes there's a view, but I've seen better and more impressive elsewhere in the Southwest.

I will go again, but it will be on a raft down the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.

I'll be visiting the North Rim this July. Will report back...

GC visit number 15 coming in October. How can you posibly says its small? You can't even see the bottom from most places on the south rim.There is a tiny view of the river at one of the points but for true impressions of the size hike across the entire width.

Re staying in a tent why bother? The lodges on the south rim are not too expensive, no one seemed to be forcing me to buy anything either.

Photo of the bottom of the tiny canyon

Robert... I absolutely agree with you.I cannot imagine exactly from what point the Canyon was being viewed from North or South rim. The Canon is truly awesome (not a word I frequently use)
It can fill your eye's entire peripheral vision. From the North I guess Cape Royal is best. South rim and from the village, just about anywhere on the rim trails.
I have taken friends to the Canyon many times, they were without exception stunned by the beauty and vastness of it all.
The one and only time I have been dissapointed was on a very hazy day with the sun righ toverhead the chasm looked bleached out and without definition.
Mornings and evening there is little or no competition to compare with it.

13 hours? From Las Vegas that would mean you get there, jump out, get a tshirt and it's time to go back !

Years ago we spent 3 days in Grand Canyon.
We also drove from Vegas.

I'd say Vegas should ideally be part of the experience. Something about leaving the jumbo of neons behind that makes you think you were takinh leave of civilization…

Then when we arrived, my French friend had me close my eyes, and he pushed me forward step by step until I was in front of the big glass window in the lodge, facing the canyon.
Then he told me I could open my eyes.
Awwwwwwwwwwww !
How did I not scream out?

I wished I had a separate set of vocabulary to express how I felt: Is there a word like awesome but more so, and not so overused?
Since that day, the term "land's end" had much less meaning. And civilization is nuancée.

We could have taken a helicopter ride, but chose an all-day mule ride, to reach midway to bottom and back, just so we could relate to the ultimate terra firma. (Actually not that firma, as that night we distinctly felt a minor-to-medium earthquake, not the best place to experience one, although I do not know if there is ever a good place to experience an earthquake.)

I recommend the mule ride to all. One second you are admiring the landscape, another second you think you will throw up facing the bottomless sheer drop.
O another tip: bring your own cushion for the mule ride. Or be prepared to have a numb derriere for days to come...

In 1984, we did a three-day hike down Grand Canyon from the north rim. 14 miles each way, a long way down and even longer going up

We camped-out one night half way down, one night by the Colorado river (thunderstorm with a lot of rain while we were setting up our tent ) and then one night half way up. It was great to do it once. Now I like my comfort.

I checked the Vegas tour stops. None of them stop in the Grand canyon national park. All the locations are outside the park where the canyon narrows and is less deep.

Come again, spend a minimum of a day and go from the south rim to desert view. Walk or ride the buses to Powell point. Get below the rim. 90% of all visitors never enter the canyon farther than 15 to 20 feet.

I guarantee your idea that the GC is disappointing will be abolished.

It was close to 20 years ago that I visited the Grand Canyon with friends. I still remember the incredible feeling as we stood on the South Rim and looked out - it was HUGE - I don't know when I ever felt so small and insignificant.

Later we sat on the rim and downed a bottle of wine as the sun set over the canyon. Watching the colours of the rocks change as the sun waned was an incredible experience.

I don't know what I was expecting prior to visiting but I still recall be stunned by what I experienced.

I guarantee if you run across it you won't think it's small! 21 miles south to North and 24 back (different trail, south Kaibab to North Kaibab out, North Kaibab to Bright Angel back) October 10/11 anyone care to join me?

RR