Which would be better for a 2 day trip in mid-Sept: Yellowstone or Grand Canyon (we know nothing about either)

Question

We are forced to drive to either location from Salt Lake City on a Friday evening (about 6 hours to either), and we must be back by late Sunday night... don't know which to choose.

Answer 1

I have been to both and would put each among the top 10 National Parks. I don't think you would be disappointed with either. Although you could spend weeks exploring either of them, both have things of interest that could be seen/done in a day or two.

One of the biggest considerations (which might force the decision for you) is that lodging on the Grand Canyon North Rim (the closest to Salt Lake City) is very limited and you may not be able to get a room. There is a very nice National Park lodge (ran by Xanterra) on the rim itself, but it has a small capacity and is almost certainly booked up for all remaining weekends in the season (North Rim closes in mid-October). You might want to call (see below) and see if you can get lucky with a cancellation. There are a few very small family-run 'cabins' just outside the park boundary (about 15 miles from the rim) and at Jacob Lake (which is actually about an hour drive from the rim). The nearest towns are Fredonia/Kanab which are another 20-30 minutes further away.

The South Rim of the canyon is more developed and has 6 major lodges near the Rim (again ran by Xanterra) and numerous hotels just outside the park boundary at the small tourist community of Tusayan. You could probably find a room on the South Rim, but that is a much longer drive from Salt Lake City (about 8 hours via Glen Canyon Dam).

Assuming that you can get reservations at the North Rim (finding lodging around Yellowstone should not be too difficult), the question is what sort of activities are you interested in... at Yellowstone you most likely want to drive around the various overlooks and short 'nature trails' to see the guysers, mud pots, etc. There are not as many overlooks or short trails on the Grand Canyon North Rim, so for a short trip it is the kinda place where you find a nice spot along the rim, look out over it all, and just relax and 'veg'. In other words, a short Yellowstone visit will have more activity and moving around than a short GC North Rim visit.

One final thing to consider given your short time window... how about doing Zion National Park instead? It is closer than either Yellowstone or GC, should have a variety of lodging options at nearby Springdale and has a lot of little short trails and attractions for a 1-2 day visit. It is a great park (one of my favorites) with great scenery and mid-Sept would be a perfect time to be there. Likewise, nearby Bryce Canyon National Park would also be a closer nice weekend trip.

Answer 2

Both places are great. I grew up near the Grand Canyon, so I'm voting for that. Yellowstone is so big and needs more than 2 days.

While at the Canyon take a hike into the Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail, it's so very pretty and take the trolly along the Canyon road and stop and get off at the sights. You might also consider going to the North Rim. Its entrance is right near Jacob's Lake, AZ and is about an hour south of Kanab and is totally different, and less crowded than the South Rim. If you opt to go to the South Rim, stay in Flagstaff or Williams, AZ.

What ever you do, have fun.

Answer 3

A two day vacation? Come on... Anyway, I've only been to the Grand Canyon, but I've been to both the South and North Rims. I recommend the North Rim, especially on a weekend because it is far less busy than the South Rim. You get basically the same views that you would from the South, but less driving. There are also less shops, food places, hotels, etc. on the North Rim. I would stay at the cabins at Jacob Lake-- about 30 minutes from the North Rim-- but you will want to get reservations, especially for a Friday and Saturday night. If you arrive at 10 pm on Friday with no reservations, I can almost guarantee that all locations will be full. There are no hotels on the North Rim either (as of 2 years ago), just rentable cabins and bed and breakfasts. The North Rim would be fine for 2 days trip I think.

I've heard Yellowstone is beautiful too, but it is huge, and you'd need at least 4 or 5 days to fully enjoy it.

Check for forest fires before you go-- you don't want to breathe smoke for 2 days at either location.

Answer 4

I really like the Grand Canyon, it will just blow your mind. You are looking almost a mile down, and it just seems impossible.

If you go, only go to the West Rim if you want the more orgainized version. It's very beautiful, but it will cost $30 a person to go see, and it's a very bumpy ride for about 14 miles. It is easy to plan helicoptor tours on the West Rim, but be prepared for a $130 a person. The West rim is owned by an Indian Tribe, and you can only get access by going on their land, and they charge you a lot. It's worth it though, as long as you can afford it.

The other rims offer free views, or just a change for the car, not everyone in it. You can get helicoptor rides, horseback rides down the canyon and it's memories you won't forget.

Sorry, I don't know much about Yellowstone.

Have a great drive.

Answer 5

Go to the Grand Canyon. Yellowstone is interesting but the traffic is so heavy that two days is barely enough time to find a parking space.

Answer 6

Grand Canyon. Yellowstone is way too large to really enjoy it in two days. Although you will have fun at both places, Grand Canyon would probably be a better place to visit.

Answer 7

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, GO! Yellowstone is nice, but the Grand Canyon is truly awesome the first time you see it.

Answer 8

Yellowstone - but you should spend more than 2 days....

Answer 9

Choose whichever is closer to you. Since you are only looking to go for 2 days, you want to get to spend as much time as possible at your destination.

Answer 10

I heard the alarmists saying that yellowstone could explode at any moment.