Experience The Grand Canyon With Your Family

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This post is sponsored by our partners the Visitors Center Bureau of Flagstaff, but our opinions are ALWAYS our own!

The Grand Canyon has always been on my bucket list.  And when I was given the opportunity to visit I jumped at it!  I didn’t realize how close to Flagstaff the Grand Canyon was.  Or that you can actually see the Rim from the top of Snowbowl.  

The drive from Flagstaff is about an hour and fifteen minutes – just like driving into Los Angeles but without ANY traffic!  The drive is peaceful and quite beautiful – all leading up to the Grand Canyon.

As soon as we entered the Grand Canyon National Park we started to see elk.  It was REALLY cool.  My kids have seen animals before, but never quite like this.  We definitely don’t have elk roaming freely in Orange County.

After we parked, which by the way is much easier to do than downtown Los Angeles, we started off on the trail.  Just a few yards down the trail you could see the light shining on the Grand Canyon.  I have to say it was amazing.  You’ve seen it in pictures and you’ve seen it on shows, but to actually see it with your own eyes is pretty spectacular.  

Even my 17-year-old was impressed, and do you know how hard it is to impress a 17-year-old?!

We walked to the Yavapai Geology Museum where we were able to listen to the free Geology Glimpse.  I would highly recommend partaking in any of the free ranger programs that are offered there.  The other program at that Yavapai Geology Museum is the Critter Chat.  We weren’t able to stay to listen to that one, but don’t worry you can find it on YouTube!  Such awesome information about the formation of the Grand Canyon.  I’m a bit of a history nerd and I loved every minute of it.

Every so often along the path around the Grand Canyon, there are boxes with brochures about different aspects of the Park.  My kids loved checking these out.  We especially loved the one about animal life at the Grand Canyon. 

Along the way, there were markers that took you 2 billion years through time.  My five-year-old was SUPER excited about this.  He loved to yell off each time we crossed a marker.

If you have been wanting to take your family on a trip they will never forget I would highly suggest going to the Grand Canyon.  You can stay in Flagstaff and make your way to the Grand Canyon for a day or even camp there for a night or two.  There’s even a hotel if camping isn’t quite your thing. {It’s not mine so don’t feel bad}

Travel Tips for The Grand Canyon

  • Pack WATER!
    • Seriously with the added elevation and dryness, you will want to bring water with you.  Especially with kids, as they are always thirsty!
  • Pack Snacks!
    • I mean, you have kids, your entire backpack is basically a grocery store, but snacks.  Just bring them.
  • Wear Comfortable Shoes
    • I realize this may seem like a no-brainer, but there’s a lot of walking going on not only for you but for your little ones.  Make sure you are all comfy. 
  • Consider a backpack with a leash for little ones.
    • I know that some people are against leashes, but we bought two for our boys and I don’t regret it for a second.  The extra peace of mind – especially with our two-year-old who is basically a tazmanian devil was well worth the stares.
  • Expect to be there the entire day.
    • It’s just so beautiful.  Pack a lunch – picnic while overlooking the Canyon.  
  • Go to the bathroom as soon as you get there!
    • Seriously there aren’t a ton of bathrooms in the wild so go potty people.

Seeing the Grand Canyon was so worth it.  It’s one of those things that you just have to see for yourself.  So get out of the city and hustle of Orange County and go experience this unbelievable geological showcase.  

To learn more about my family’s vacation through Flagstaff click here!