is Grand Canyon Toroweap better than seeing the South Rim?

Hi,

Thanks for your answers to my last questions. Another question about a Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas. If you had the choice of day tours, would you say it is better to see the Toroweap region of the Grand Canyon or the South Rim?

Thanks.

is Grand Canyon Toroweap better than seeing the South Rim?

Hi

I have been to the south rim twice and enjoyed the views. I did consider the west rim but there were too many negative reports on it ie indian rip off. Although neither time we went was it a day trip from Vegas, this would make a long day out as the south rim is a good four hour drive. West rim is a bit closer. If you have the time going to the national park must be your best bet.

Clive

is Grand Canyon Toroweap better than seeing the South Rim?

Toroweap is part of Grand Canyon Nat Park and is located on the North Rim. Very isolated place, but beautiful.

If you are looking for the classic views of the Grand Canyon, then visit the South Rim. More amenities as well.

If you want a primitive tour, with no restaurants, shops or people, then a trip to Toroweap. Not too many tours there.

Are there tours to Toroweap?? Last year we planned this driving ourselves but the St. George visitor center discouraged it because of rain not long before. If you want a spectacular drive, hire a Hummer and go to Little Finland. Breathtaking but come well prepared. Maybe better just go South rim..

Tet

Hi

Sorry I thought it was the west rim. We drove along the road near the north rim earlier this year as far as Lee%26#39;s Ferry and Jacob%26#39;s lake. The scerney is wonderful around there, better than the drive to the south rim. The north rim was still closed for winter when we drove through if not we would have gone there but we did stop at Marble canyon, which is the very begining of the grand canyon. Lot%26#39;s to see in the area.

Clive

Stay away from Indian tourist sights, if they charge money its a rip-off.

Stick too the federal parks. you get what you pay for.

I agree that the west rim area and the indian reservation concessions are a total rip off. Stay away from there.

But as to the OP%26#39;s question. Toroweap is a very remote area along the north rim. Hard to get to, and no services what so ever. The view there is spectacular to be sure. But comparing it to a visit to the South Rim is hardly fair. If you take the time to visit the GCNP at the South Rim, you will see way more of the Grand Canyon from almost 30- miles of view points along the rim. The variety of views and colors in the canyon will amaze you.

This is the reason why you see so many posts here that encourage you to visit the GCNP at the South Rim, as opposed to any other Grand Canyon destinations. There%26#39;s so much more to see and do there, and you can see and do it in the most efficient ways with a limited amount of time.

The US Park Service chose to locate the GCNP at this place for good reasons. Noy just because there were roads that went there. (In fact there weren%26#39;t any roads until they put the park there). This is the most impressive and dramatic place to see and experience the Grand Canyon.

If you only have one chance to see it, go to the Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim.

People do make day trips into Toroweap, but it would be a tough trip from Las Vegas with about three hours one way over dirt roads. The last few miles are not exactly rock crawling, but slow going over very rough road with sharp rocks often in the roadway. It is a primitive area with the only facility being a dry toilet at the campground. The view is spectacular, though, and well worth a trip for people who are properly equipped and prepared for the harsh environment.

For a first visit to GC, which I assume this is, go to the South Rim. Much easier to get to and the facilities are great and the views are awesome. I encourage you to give up a night in Vegas and stay in or near the park for the best experience. http://www.nps.gov/grca/

Thanks for the description Tex. We had planned a daytrip to Toroweap from St.George and a daytrip to Little Finland but could not do it because of circumstances. But we%26#39;ll come back.....

Tet

That%26#39;s for the info regarding Toroweap. The tour I had been looking at is run by Pink Jeep, but after hearing that it is has fairly basic services and it is over pretty rough roads, I think I%26#39;ll go with a tour to the South Rim.

Thanks for your help.

Jsyd, I think the video on the site underplays the roughness of the road over the last few miles, but all in all it%26#39;s a good short representation of a trip to Toroweap. It looks like a good tour for people who don%26#39;t have a 4x4 SUV to make the journey. I still think the way to go is to the South Rim for a first-time GC visitor. For those who are interested, here%26#39;s the link to Pink Jeep tour to Toroweap pinkjeep.com/jeep-tours/…cost

Tet, you will love Toroweap. It really is at the end of the world. The local ranger, a young single guy (who else would they send to such a remote spot), was full of stories of people who came there without a clue about the hazards of the desert wilderness.

I know you don%26#39;t need advice on the preparations to make for off-pavement touring in the Southwest. I%26#39;m so paranoid that before I went I learned from my local tire shop how to fix flats. Fortunately, I didn%26#39;t need the skill, but it was comforting to know I had a full-size spare plus the kit and the knowledge as I eased my vehicle over the sharpest rocks I%26#39;ve ever seen in the road close to Toroweap.

At least one night in the campground is advisable. It%26#39;s similar to the South Rim in that sunrise and sunset are very magical times in terms of the light and the silence. It%26#39;s great to be there when the day trippers aren%26#39;t.