Halfway across the US & all the way back (Part 1)

Best Things Nearby:
The Grand Canyon and Kaibab National Forest.

Best Things About the Resort:
There is convenient on-site access to the Grand Canyon. Stores and restaurants are also located on-site.

Resort Experience:
The Grand Canyon National Park campground, as with most of the national park campgrounds, is clean and well-maintained. It's relatively close to the main overlooks for the Grand Canyon, and there is shuttle bus service available from very early in the morning (allowing you to catch the sunrise).

The only difficulty you may run into is getting a reservation! We visited (with a reservation) in late May, and the attendant mentioned that they were already booked for most of the summer. So if you're planning to visit, make sure to book early (by phone or on their website). Reservations are not available from December to March.

• Campground Type: National Park
• Campsite Type: Tent
• Price Range: $10 - $20
• Cleanliness: Excellent
• Campground Facilities: Very Good
• Recreational Facilities: Excellent
• Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The Grand Canyon is a spectacular sight!! The view has been diminished in recent years due to pollution, but it still is grand.

There are all sorts of levels of activities available. There are level walking paths that take you along the rim, more difficult ones that still keep you up top, and then it's possible to hike down into the canyon itself (one of my goals in life).

My sister and I got up early to watch the sun rise - definitely worth it, but make sure to wear warm clothes!! We were there in late May, but until the sun comes up, it's chilly!! The buses start running early enough so that you can catch a ride from the campground to a viewing spot. Afterwards, we hiked along the rim some, back towards the village area, and then stopped for some breakfast at one of the restaurants. It was very nice!!

We visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon for just one night; we got here in late afternoon and then left mid-morning the next day. It was our second visit, so I'd definitely recommend allowing more time for your first visit, but if you don't have more, stop by for the time you have anyway - it's definitely worth it!!

P.S. If you're going to be visiting more than two national parks (as we were), be sure to invest in a national parks’ pass - it's a good investment then!

The Petrified Forest is a nice side trip when traveling across Arizona. It is right off of I-40, and it will only take about 1 to 2 hours to visit the park (depending on how often you want to get out and look around). The petrified wood is very interesting - it looks almost real, but it is stone. Unfortunately, many people want to take part of the experience home with them, so it is slowly disappearing.

Visit http://www.nps.gov/pefo/ to plan your visit.

At the Grand Canyon (Mather campground), we went over to our neighbor's campground to borrow their mallet (we had failed to bring one) so that we could set up our tent. When we went to return it, we got to talking with the couple. Then the wife mentioned, "I think we saw you earlier today." "Really? When?" we ask. "Oh, we saw you at the visitor's center at the Petrified Forest," she told us. It was true, we had been there!! Fun times when you run across fellow travelers more than once on a road trip!!