Grand Canyon - where to stay?

[cemeterybird]

We want to spend a week seeing places like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley etc. Is it best to base ourselves in Las Vegas (even though we don't gamble!!) and do various trips from there?

[Clanad]

It's a pretty good jaunt (distance wise) from Las vegas to Grand Canyon. If you're not really interested in the sights of Vegas, I'd suggest staying at Flagstaff or Sedona Airzona. Another good possibility is St. George, Utah. Both offer a lot of accomodations. Here's a genralized map:
http://www.usatourist.com/english/places/grand canyon/map.html . St. George also offers good access to Zion National Park and Monument.

Welcome to the U.S., by the way!

[cemeterybird]

Thanks for map, Clanad and the recommendations. I notice that St. George is North of the Grand Canyon. I read somewhere that the North Rim is closed from Mid October and as we won't be coming over until November (I'm from the UK, by the way :-) maybe it would be better to stick to the more southern areas? I must admit, I haven't done much research yet on what the weather is like in that area during November. We normally have 2 weeks in Florida (always during Nov) but as a special treat for ourselves, thought we would tag an extra 'busy' week, in front of our 2 'chill out' weeks and see all those wonderful natural sights in that part of the world. If the North Rim has bad weather around then, would that mean Zion Nat. Park would be bad too? Ha!! This question is getting more complicated!!

[Clanad]

There's very little difference in weather between the north and south rims, cemeterybird (interesting name, by the way). It's probably not the best time of the year, but expect cool, windy days. The temperatures may reach 50 degrees F and at night you'll want a fairly heavy coat. The altitude in the area runs about 6,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level! it's likely to be near 10 degrees F and that's in good weather.
St. George is much lower in elevation... in fact it's considered to be a resort and retirement area for the rest of Utah's citizens.

Sedona, is beautiful about anytime of the year, but it is high desert with similarly cool to cold temperatures. It should be dry though! Best of luck!

[cemeterybird]

Have been doing some research and you're right, Sedona looks absolutely beautiful. Must admit to being a bit worried about the weather though - guess in my mind, I was thinking, because you had to cross deserts to get to the GC, that the weather would be scorching during the day (if a little cool at night) but others have said to definately expect snow around the 'rims' etc. Guess my suitcase is gonna have to be packed for all weathers!! (Have yet to break this news to my 'other half' :-).....

[cemeterybird]

Oh and by the way - I'm not a 'Goth'!! Cemeterybird relates to where I live - in a cemetery LOL!!

[annavc]

Can definitly recommend Flagstaff and Sedona. During a 3 month trip round the US, I spent a week staying in Flagstaff and its a lovely town. We hired a car and drove from there to the Canyon and from there to Sedona on different days and had a couple of days just mooching about the town.

Have fun.