Howdy,
The family and I are heading to the Grand Canyon (Mather Campground)next week and I have a few questions that the park's web page can't answer.
First: They say you can only have fires in the campsites BBQ. Are these the big round fire rings with a grill attached or are they the raised square BBQ's you find at your local park??? It is going to be down in the 20's at night, so I'm hoping to have a real campfire to keep us warm.
Second: We are planning on taking our Mountain Bikes to get around and see stuff. Are the paths along the rim for foot traffic only or do they allow bikes too????? Are you allowed to ride on other paths within the park or are you restricted to only the roadways????
And Third: It has been over twenty years since I was at the Grand Canyon.....I barley remember it. What are the "Must See" things.....Other than the Canyon of course.
Thanx in advance,
Roach
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roach1 wrote: Howdy,
The family and I are heading to the Grand Canyon (Mather Campground)next week and I have a few questions that the park's web page can't answer.
First: They say you can only have fires in the campsites BBQ. Are these the big round fire rings with a grill attached or are they the raised square BBQ's you find at your local park??? It is going to be down in the 20's at night, so I'm hoping to have a real campfire to keep us warm.
Second: We are planning on taking our Mountain Bikes to get around and see stuff. Are the paths along the rim for foot traffic only or do they allow bikes too????? Are you allowed to ride on other paths within the park or are you restricted to only the roadways????
And Third: It has been over twenty years since I was at the Grand Canyon.....I barley remember it. What are the "Must See" things.....Other than the Canyon of course.
Thanx in advance,
Roach
I can't answer all of your questions but can answer some.
Re: Mather and the BBQ's - we didn't stay there (stayed at Trailer Village) so can't answer that one - however if you call them, i'm sure they will be more than happy to answer the question for you.
Two: the bikes. Bikes are NOT allowed along the south rim trail. Foot traffic only. You can ride the bikes TO the south rim trail and lock them up. We rode our bikes around the area freely - to the store for ice cream, along the roads, through the campground etc. but no bikes ON the rim trail are allowed. We ended up using the shuttle service to get us where we wanted to go most times.
3rd: Definitely hike the Rim trail. It's a fairly easy hike albeit a couple of miles if I recall correctly. Fairly flat (some small hills but nothing big). We walked to the South Rim from our campground and then walked it all the way to the hotel area. If you have camelbacks take them with you or make sure everyone has some water. You can then catch the shuttle back to the campground. The shuttle service is top notch and we used it to get around the area more than anything.
Sunset at Hopi point is a must see. You will need to get in line for the shuttle to Hopi Point early. the shuttle will take you for the sunset viewing and then bring you back afterwards. It's beautiful and is the shot in ALL the sunset pictures of the canyon you will see.
When we were there they had a stargazing party - local astronomers brought their HUGE telescopes and we were able to see Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and some star clusters - pretty amazing. If this is being done while you are at the canyon definitely take the time to go. I don't know how often or when they do this though and we only found out about it once we got there.
Fire pits are the big round concrete ones. Can't remember if they had a grill or not; better bring your own. I am not sure about the bikes but tend to think they are allowed on the rim trail. There are certainly plenty of roads to bike on as well. Other than a hike into the canyon the rim is the main thing. And Mather is really fantastic; wooded with well seperated campsites. Go for it.
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Quote: I am not sure about the bikes but tend to think they are allowed on the rim trail.
the actual rim trail is very narrow in spots with several areas being right on the edge of the canyon itself. there is no room for bikes AND people along the trail itself - that would be a huge safety hazard for both the bikers and the hikers.
I think there is a road that runs near the trail itself that bikes might be allowed on but can't remember as we didn't pay much attention - we were looking to our right at the canyon not at the road
Hello roach1, My wife and I have camped at Mathers a couple times during late Dec. time. There are firerings at each site (see picture) with a grate. Restrooms are at each camping loop with potable water bibs close by,several of the campsites are parallel pull thru. Bikes aren't allowed on any of the trails including the Rim trail which is a easy flat walking.As one poster put it you can ride your bikes to the trails, then lock them up. Since you stated thats it has been 20 years since your last visit your in for some changes
Mathers campsite
The Grandcanyon Village at the Grandcanyonhas a store,so if you forget anything or run out most likely it will be there. Showers,Landry and dump station are right at the entrance to the Mathers. NPS runs shuttles service so check the schedules for times.
The Rim trail is a short walk from Mathers and is fairly flat and goes for miles along the rim.
Rim Trail walk
South Kaibab Trail is a good hike taking you all the way to the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon,just remember the farther you go down the warmer it will get. A good thing about this trail, there are vaulted toilets about every 1.5-2.o miles.
South Kaibab Trail .
East Visitor center
Enjoy your trip.
We stayed at Mather years ago in a mini-van. Walking distance to the Rim trail. You better check on bringing firewood, some states have restrictions on bringing in wood from out of state due to bugs and diseases.
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