You don’t need a car when visiting the Grand Canyon, and in the interest of environmental conservation (not to mention saving dollars on gas and allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the trip), consider these alternate ways of getting to this spectacular destination. After arrival, shuttle buses will take you to popular sites and trail heads within the park.
Grand Canyon Railway
A fun and popular way to arrive at the Grand Canyon is by train. Traveling via the Grand Canyon Railway relieves the Grand Canyon of some 50,000 cars annually.
Canyon walls are comprised of multi-colored rocks
The Grand Canyon Railway makes daily round-trip excursions from Williams, Ariz., 60 miles to the south, to the Grand Canyon Depot in the heart of the village. Visitors with an appreciation for history will enjoy the fact that their arrival at Grand Canyon National Park is similar to the experience visitors had 100 years ago, when construction of the Grand Canyon Depot, one of only 14 log depots ever constructed in the U.S. and one of only three remaining log depots, was completed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
Vacationers taking the Grand Canyon Railway arrive at the South Rim around noon. Some travelers opt to spend a few hours in the park, perhaps having lunch at the historic and elegant El Tovar Hotel and exploring Grand Canyon Village, before re-boarding the train for the return to Williams in the late afternoon. If you wish to stay longer–and you almost certainly will–you can purchase a Grand Canyon Railway package that includes one or more nights at a lodge in the Grand Canyon.
Take Amtrak
If you’re traveling from the West Coast, consider Amtrak train service from Union Station in Los Angeles to Williams, Arizona. There passengers are met by a Grand Canyon Railway bus for the 10-minute bus ride to the Williams Depot where you can catch the Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon as described above. The overnight trip takes nine-hours and 35-minutes, departing Los Angeles daily at 6:55 p.m. and arriving in Williams at 4:30 a.m.
A close-up view of the Colorado River cutting through canyon walls
Catch 40 winks on the return trip, which departs Williams at 9:33 p.m. and arrives at Union Station at 8:15 a.m. From there, Amtrak passengers can catch the Grand Canyon Railway at 9:30 a.m. One way to spend some of the time between trains is to have breakfast at the Grand Depot Café. The restaurant opens at 6:30 a.m. Prices vary depending on class of service, or contact Vacations by Rail for a fully planned vacation package.
Photos by Beverly Burmeier.
Information courtesy of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, concessioner at many national parks.
Thanks for getting me excited about the TRAIN! Will be looking for more of your train excursions.
You can read about more other train excursions to national parks at http://www.goingonadventures.com/2012/04/national-parks-by-rail.html
Agree that taking a train is a good way to travel.
Hi Beverly,
This is a great article on getting to the Grand Canyon. My wife and I have been there several times, although we have yet to take the train ride from Williams. Last year we worked at the KOA in Seligman, Az. We visited the canyon twice. The next time we will via for the rail trip.
For those that wish to take their motorhomes or whatever they may be staying in, there are several RV parks in the park and also near the entrances to the park. You will need reservations to get a spot in most of these parks during the peak season.
When we first visited the canyon back in the late 70′s, you had to drive from one viewing area to the next. Now, you park your car in one of several parking lots and ride the many shuttle buses. You can spend as much time as you wish at each view area. You can also hike the many trails if you so desire.
If you or someone in your party is a senior, make sure they stop at any ranger station or US Forest Service Office and purchase a Golden Age Passport. They cost $10. and will admit all in there car to enter free.
We have visited the train depot at Williams and really enjoyed looking at the old steam engine which is on display there. Also the depot itself. There is so much history. The old Harvey House is one to admire. One can just picture the folks of old getting on and off the trains.
The El Tovar and the Hopi House, both at the canyon are must sees. The Hopi’s are known world over for their fine craftmanship both for their weaving of blankets and rugs and their fine jewlery.
I hope this ads some bit of knowledge for your next visit to one of the true wonders of this great land we call “America”.
I wish to thank each and everyone of you for visiting and reading this article, and to Beverly, thanks for sharing.
Irvon, thanks for sharing your experiences.