RV Tour Leg 25 - Grand Canyon

We booked our campsite at Grand Canyon Trailer Village a year in advance, and it was well worth the planning. Our site was just over a mile from the visitor center, connected by a gorgeous paved bike trail that made getting around the park an adventure in itself.

Epic Biking Adventures

Biking in the Grand Canyon was nothing short of breathtaking. Beautifully maintained trails linked the campground, visitor center, lodges, grocery stores, and restaurants, making it easy to get everywhere on two wheels. While biking wasn’t allowed on the Rim Trail near the visitor center, further east, we were able to ride along the edge of the canyon. Pedaling with those jaw-dropping views beside us was a thrill I won’t forget.

Riding on the Rim Trail

One of our favorite rides was the road to Hermit’s Rest. On March 1st, the park closes this road to private vehicles, allowing only shuttles and bikes—a dream scenario for cyclists. We rode the seven miles up to Hermit’s Rest, taking in the incredible scenery without worrying about traffic. For the last few miles, we were allowed on the Rim Trail itself, putting us right on the edge of the canyon. Just spectacular.

Found a little cabin on top of Hermit's Rest and thank goodness they sold snacks. Judy was getting "hangry"...

Snow, Delays, and a Missed Reunion

David’s sister Nancy and her husband Steve had planned to meet us at the Grand Canyon while vacationing nearby in Prescott, AZ. Unfortunately, a massive snowstorm hit, making travel impossible. We stayed snug in our trailer and ventured out a bit to enjoy some unique snowy views of the canyon. Hopefully, we’ll find another time to meet up.

View of snow day from our camper. Thankful Nancy and Steve kept safe

View of Canyon on the snow day - the canyon disappeared. We talked to people for Australia who were just there for the day. They never saw the canyon.

Hiking Into the Grand Canyon

We tackled two of the most famous trails leading into the canyon: Bright Angel and the South Kaibab Trail. Both are incredibly steep but surprisingly well-maintained, with a rest stop and bathrooms about 1.5 miles down - where we turned around. The hikes down were gorgeous but a little treacherous in spots. Ice made for some sketchy moments—at one point, I abandoned all dignity and resorted to the "booty scooty" method of getting down a particularly slick section. Better to slide than to fall!

On the way up the trail we spotted a Condor! We heard from a bird watcher, this is a rare sighting. We were able to locate her on Condorspotter.com - she is 2 years old and was hatched in the wild.

Some hikers plan ahead and book a stay at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, making the grueling trek down one day and back up the next. We, however, had a perfectly valid excuse to skip that adventure: Daphne the cat. She would not have appreciated a lonely night in the trailer—so naturally, a nine-mile descent (and the inevitable climb back up) was off the table. Let’s be real, though—Daphne aside, that hike might have finished me off. My dad and stepmom, Irene, actually did this trip when they were our age. At the time, I was mildly impressed, now I'm very impressed.

A Surprise Reunion & a Historic Tower

One unexpected highlight was reconnecting with an old friend. When our truck repairs caused us to miss Sedona, this meant we missed seeing our friend Pete Furman. But as luck would have it, while we were at the Grand Canyon, Pete was driving from Salt Lake City to Sedona, and our paths aligned perfectly for a lunch meet-up. The drive took us out past Desert View, home to the first breathtaking glimpse of the Grand Canyon from the east.

Peter Furman, with his very cool trailer.

Desert View is also where you’ll find the Watchtower, an unusual and whimsical structure designed in 1932 by Mary Jane Colter. She took inspiration from the ancient Ancestral Puebloan towers of the Colorado Plateau, including those at Hovenweep and Mesa Verde—both of which are on this tour.

Desert View Watchtower and it's designer

Desert View, where dessert is available!

The Great Snow Escape

Leaving the Grand Canyon turned into its own adventure. Heavy snowfall meant David had to get on top of the trailer to clear snow and ice from the slides before we could even think about hitching up. This involved a broom, an ice scraper, a hairdryer. My role? Tossing him the necessary tools like we were in some kind of ridiculous Olympic event.

Once we were finally packed up and ready to go… the road out of the park was closed due to snow and ice. So we waited. And waited. A few hours later, the road reopened, and we had a slow, white-knuckle drive out of the park. Thankfully, our next stop—Page, AZ—was only 2.5 hours away.

Waiting to drive out of the park. The wait was eased with a latte and a croissant

This journey has been a profound lesson in embracing vulnerability. As a lifelong planner, I once believed that with enough foresight, I could sidestep uncertainty and avoid unexpected pitfalls. But out here, I've discovered a different kind of freedom—the kind that comes from surrendering control, trusting in our ability to adapt, and allowing life to unfold without over-orchestrating every detail. There is a quiet power in faith—the faith that we are capable, that challenges will shape rather than break us, and that sometimes, the most meaningful experiences arise not from careful planning, but from simply being open to the unknown. This is a lesson I will carry forward, a guide for embracing the uncharted path ahead with curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder. (But I will still make reservations a year in advance if it means I can stay in the park. 😊)