Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam from Vegas?
We are staying at the Stratosphere and wanted to do a day trip to the S. Rim and then stop by the Dam on the way back just to get/take some night photos. I've seen so many different time estimates for this trip. How long does it actually take on say a Wednesday? Do we need to get going before the buses? I was thinking 8am--is that too late? Thanks.
Update:We are definitely driving. There are 5 of us and its coming to around $60/pp including gas. If anyone knows of a tour that can beat that price, please let me know.
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Definitely go as early as you can, it's a lot of driving. I would estimate 4 hours each way to Grand Canyon, and then 30 min detour to hoover dam. Estimate an hour at hoover dam and an hour and half and grand canyon and you're at a good 11 hours. Give another hour of bumming around and you're at 12 hours.
If that's the case you have to go hoover damn first or you won't see anything.
Hope that helps.
And don't stay at the stratosphere, it's such a bad hotel. It's rundown and at a horrible location. I'm sure you can find better hotel rates. Check out http://www.mycheapvegas.com/ and see some of the specials. Cheers!
Does that include renting a car? $60 isn't bad, but there are Grand Canyon South Rim bus tours that can be had for $79 that include lunch (plus a photo stop at Hoover Dam). The thing to remember is that it's a 5.5 hour one-way drive to the Grand Canyon, plus at $25 park entrance fee. I've read on lots of travel forums that people who do decide to make the trip themselves are glad they did but are exhausted on the return (all in all it's about a 15 hour day trip, most of that driving). Up to you but for the extra money (these bus tours include pick up and drop off at your hotel), I'd probably go with the bus. Here's a list of Grand Canyon South Rim bus tours:
http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/bus-tours
When all is said and done Hoover Dam is just a big hunk of concrete that can be seen just as easily at night as it can in the day .
Grand Canyon on the other hand needs to be seen in a variety of daylight conditions including sunset .
Grab a flashlight for the walk back and hike along the Rim Trail from to Bright Angel Lodge to Maricopa Point and watch the sunset
Have dinner on the Rim and then drive back to the Dam making sure that you stop for gas in Kingman .
I took a bus trip to the canyon with just a brief stop at the dam. It was about 12 hours total. But if you are going to the dam at night you don't have to worry, the tours run during the day.
The tour bus picks you up at your hotel at 6:30am and take you to the Hoover Dam and from there to Grand Canyon South Rim. It's a whole day affair but a lot of fun with lot of picture opportunities. Here is the tour I took, They are currently running 50 percent off specials
http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/las-vegas-day-trips...
Early would be 7 am to miss traffic to Boulder City, over the Dam and on the way to Grand Canyon, going thru Kingman and then Williams. The drive is about 4 hours. I would stop at the dam on the way because you will be coming back after dark and no see the dam or go down the dam.