Advice on GC visit route/direction

Question

Staying in Williams before and after GC day, thinking of our options.

1 - enter South Gate, GC village, Desert View Drive, exit East Gate, Cameron Trading Post, back to Williams on 89 and 40.

2 - drive 40 and 89 to Cameron Trading Post, enter East Gate, Desert View Drive, GC Village, back to Williams via South Gate.

3 - as number 1 but re-enter East Gate after Cameron Trading Post and drive Desert View Drive the other way, exiting South Gate back to Williams.

Really want to go to the Trading Post if possible as I think I visited many years ago with parents. Object is to see as much as we can, hiking and walking distances isn't something that is suitable for us.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Answer

For a visit to the Grand Canyon that prioritizes scenic viewpoints, minimal walking, and including a stop at Cameron Trading Post, the route you choose can affect both your experience and driving logistics. Since you prefer less walking, the focus will be on viewpoints along the rim and scenic drives.

Here’s a breakdown of the three options you outlined:

Option 1: Enter South Gate → GC Village → Desert View Drive → East Gate → Cameron Trading Post → back to Williams via 89 and 40. This is a very logical route. You start at the more visited areas of the South Rim, see multiple viewpoints along Desert View Drive (including Desert View Watchtower), and end with Cameron Trading Post. This avoids backtracking and gives a natural progression from west to east along the rim, with minimal driving stress.
Option 2: Drive 40 and 89 to Cameron Trading Post → enter East Gate → Desert View Drive → GC Village → back to Williams via South Gate. This allows you to reach Cameron Trading Post first, which might be nice if you want to get it “out of the way” early. However, it means entering the park from the East and driving the scenic Desert View Drive westbound, ending at the busy Grand Canyon Village. Traffic may be slightly heavier late morning/early afternoon at the Village. Also, you won’t see the Village first, which is a central point of the South Rim experience.
Option 3: Same as Option 1 but re-enter East Gate after Cameron Trading Post and drive Desert View Drive the other way, exiting South Gate back to Williams. This involves more driving and could feel a bit repetitive. You’d effectively be doubling back on some scenic roads, which might not add value since your goal is seeing the viewpoints with minimal walking.

Considering your objectives—seeing the rim, minimal walking, and visiting Cameron Trading Post—Option 1 is likely the best choice. It balances driving with scenic stops, avoids unnecessary backtracking, and gives you a straightforward path back to Williams.

Additional tips for your Grand Canyon day:

Start early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to stop at multiple viewpoints.
Use the scenic pullouts along Desert View Drive; even a short stop provides spectacular photos without long walks.
Grand Canyon Village offers viewpoints accessible from parking areas, so you can enjoy the views without hiking.
Check sunrise/sunset times; early morning or late afternoon light gives the best photography.

Overall, planning your route around South Gate → GC Village → Desert View Drive → East Gate → Cameron Trading Post → Williams is efficient, scenic, and minimizes walking while including the Trading Post stop you want.

Advice on GC visit route/direction

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