Aftter we leave the Grand Canyon, South Rim, we will head to Page for two overnights.
I cannot recall how long the trip would take per mapquest but half the fun is getting there.
What are the highlights between the South Rim and Page that are highly recommended?
How much time might be needed for any particular highlight?
As for departure from GCNP south rim, do you leave the park right there or drive along the rim of the park towards Page?
Contributor 
12,228 posts
17 reviews 
5 helpful votes Hi,
You'll want to leave via the East Gate.
The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ is approx 2-2-1/2 hours. But that's without stops along the East drive. There are quite a few view points along this way and they all deserve a stop and a look, especially the Watchtower. How long depends on how much you like what you see!!
Go into http://www.nps.gov/grca and you can view a copy of the Visitor's Guide. This will give you a better idea of how the park is laid out and then you will see the view points along this drive!
Enjoy...
SJG
Contributor
7,003 posts
139 reviews
103 helpful votes Though the drive typically takes 2.5 hours, you can easily extend it to a half day (or more) of wonderful sightseeing opportunities. There are the viewpoints on the East Rim Drive to start with. Then after you exit the park, you'll be on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Be sure to stop at the Little Colorado River Overlook. This, as the name suggests, is a really outstanding view of the Little Colorado River gorge, which is more jagged and slot-canyonish than the Grand Canyon.
At the junction of Highway 64 and Highway 89, try to stop at the Cameron Trading Post. This is a real old West commerce center dating back to 1915. It's since been renovated and expanded and does look decidedly
more "touristy" than "rustic," but it still has a very fine collection of Native crafts, and the specialty of their on-site restaurant, the Navajo taco, is awesome! There are also roadside kiosks where the Navajos (and some Hopis) sell their crafts dotting the highway up toward Page.
If you don't mind taking a slight detour, you might pull off the main Highway and visit Lees Ferry, which is the site of an old ferry crossing and the historic Lonely Dell Ranch. You can actually drive your car pretty close to the Colorado River's edge here. Marble Canyon is cool too, a lot of times you can see the California Condors sunning themselves underneath the twin bridges. Maybe save your meal for Cliff Dweller's Lodge - surprisingly sophisticated food for out in the middle of nowhere!
Enjoy :)
Good stuff. Thanks.. Food recommendations never hurt. :) Always wanted to try the Navajo taco.
A couple of miles before you reach Page you might consider stopping at Horseshoe Bend. It's about a 3/4 mile hike up an easy grade with a stunning view of the Colorado taking a sharp bend. No railings so can be a little scary if you have a fear of heights. (My family all has a health fear and we all did it, so it is manageable.) The view is worth the short hike!
You will definitely want to stop at all or most of the viewpoints along the east rim road. In particular, do not miss Desert View. That is my favorite view of the GC, even though it may not be as deep as some of the others.
the Cameron Trading Post is definitely worth stopping at for lunch. But a warning about the Navajo Taco -- it is delicious but, unless you have a BIG appetite, get the medium one, not the large one.
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