Why only Two hours?

You may be wondering why you would only spend two hours at the Grand Canyon. Well, that’s how long I had when I visited the Grand Canyon. It was all we were able to see on our drive, and while I would have loved to stay at the Canyon for days or weeks, all I had was two hours. I didn’t have more to spare. How can you possibly regret giving the time you do have to see one of our Nations most iconic National Parks? You won’t. I promise.

So while I truly hope that you have more time to spend at the Grand Canyon, if you only have two hours at the Grand Canyon, I want to help you make the most of the time you have.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon?

For a short trip like this one, any time of year is a good time to visit the Grand Canyon. But to make the most out of your trip, you’re going to want to avoid the summer peak season. With a limited amount of time, you’ll want to be sure you visit at a time when there isn’t large crowds of people all flocking to the same observation decks.

Where Should I Stay when Visiting the Grand Canyon?

If you have two hours at the Grand Canyon, you’ll want to make sure you are staying somewhere nearby to make the most of the time here. When we visited, we stayed in Williams, Arizona. Williams is 60 miles South of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, making it about an hour drive away, one way. If you are looking for an even closer place to stay, consider staying at the park. Here are a few options of places you might want to stay during your trip. Click the links below to learn more:

• Bright Angel Lodge (Inside the Park!)
• Yavapai Lodge (Inside the Park!)
• Mather Camp Grounds (near Mather Point)
• Red Feather Lodge (on park grounds, 7 miles from Mather Point)
• The Grand Hotel (on park grounds, 7 miles from Mather Point)
• Travelodge In Williams, Arizona (60 Miles from Mather Point) This is the no-frills place we stayed at. A perfect spot if all you’re concerned about is a place to spend the night.
• Holiday Inn Express in Flagstaff, Arizona (80 Miles from Mather Point)
• Double Tree in Flagstaff, Arizona (80 Miles from Mather Point)

What to do with Two Hours at the Grand Canyon

With only two hours at the Grand Canyon, you’ll have to plan your visit wisely. Here’s an itinerary for a great two hour trip to the Grand Canyon.

Watch the Sun Rise at the Grand Canyon

If you can, arrive at the Grand Canyon early enough to watch the sun rise. There’s a crisp fog that falls across the entire Canyon. The sun crests over the horizon and quickly illuminates everything below. It is an amazing experience that you should absolutely witness if you can.

Visit a Look Out Point

Yaki Point at the Grand Canyon

This is my preferred look out point because it gives you a great panoramic view of the Canyon. At Yaki point, you’ll have to look behind you if you want to look anywhere but down, into the depths of the Canyon. This is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset when you only have two hours at the Grand Canyon.

Mather Point at the Grand Canyon

If you plan to visit Mather Point, you’ll want to get here very early. Mather Point is very close to the main Visitor’s Center at the Grand Canyon. There are three bus routes that all stop at this point. It is also a fully accessible look out point, no stairs to get here. Naturally, that makes it a very popular place to visit. Arrive early.

Hike the Trails in Between the Lookout Points

Most people talk about hiking down into the Canyon. But, if you only have two hours at the Grand Canyon, you’re not going to have time to hike down into the Canyon. Did you know there are hiking trails all around the Grand Canyon, too?

An easy Rim hike is between Mather Point and Yaki Point, only 0.7 miles of trails separate the two. Hiking along the Rim Trail is easily customizable based on the time you have to spend in the park. Use this map from the National Park Service to decide what you have time to see on your visit

Take a Drive

If you want to see more of the park in a shorter amount of time, consider taking a drive around the rim to some look out points. The most popular drive along the Grand Canyon is a 25-mile route known as Desert View Drive. If you have time to spare and want to see the park from multiple points of view, hop on some or all of the Desert View Drive.

It is pretty difficult to see into the Canyon from the car, so I much prefer to hike along the rim trail which gets you much closer to the edge.

Two Hours at the Grand Canyon

• Visit a Lookout Point – Check out Mather Point or Yaki Point for easy-to-access views!
• Hike the Rim Trails – Use this map from the National Park Service to scout out the best route for the time you have available.
• Take the Desert View Drive – if you have more time, check out the 25-mile drive to see some extra stops along the Canyon.

The post How to Spend Two Hours at the Grand Canyon first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.

A must-see destination along any Route 66 road trip, this Wigwam village is also a perfect place to stay when visiting Petrified Forest National Park.

About Holbrook, Arizona

While the majority of visitors in Holbrook come for the National Park, the small community of Holbrook is a charming town that is worth exploring if you have the time. There is a high-quality grocery store and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. If you’re curious to learn more, there are even a few museums to explore.

Where to Eat

If you’re looking for some familiar places to eat, Holbrook has you covered. Grab something to eat at Denny’s, McDonald’s, Dariy Queen, Little Caesars, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr. or A&W. But it seems Holbrook’s real specialty is in their local eateries: Joe & Aggie’s Cafe, Romo’s Restaurant, Aliberto’s Mexican Food, Tom & Suzie’s Diner, Camaleon Cafe, Mesa Italiana Restaurant, and many other bars, cafes, and diners.

What to Do in Holbrook, Arizona

Most likely, your visit here is going to include touring the Petrified Forest National Park, and you could easily spend all your time at the park, but if you’re looking to get to know Holbrook better, you can visit any one of their local restaurants, or check out the Navajo County Historical Society.

We spent a day hiking and exploring the Petrified Forest National Park. Much of our exploring was done in the car, because the park is so large. We picked up sandwiches, snacks, and ice for our cooler at the Safeway grocery store right across the street from the Wigwam Motel before leaving for the park. We took our packed lunch to the Painted Desert Picnic Pavilion for a beautiful view while we ate.

Important Information About the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

Address: 811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, Arizona 86025

To Make Reservations: Call 928-524-3048

Their website can be found HERE

Looking for a different Wigwam Village? Check out the Other Two Remaining Motels Below:

Wigwam Village #2: Cave City, KY

Wigwam Village #7: Rialto, CA

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Wigwam Village #6 in Holbrook Arizona first appeared on Greetings From Kelly.