 |
| The Grand Canyon is about a one hour drive from Williams, Arizona on Interstate 40. Arizona Highway 64 will take you directly to the South Rim entrance. It is hard to believe as your travel across the flat land toward the park that the deep canyon edge is just ahead. |
| Williams |
 |
Known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it offers the shortest route from Interstate 40 to the splendor of the Canyon, about 59 miles north of the city.
It lies on the route of Historic Route 66, and Interstate 40. Williams is a major tourist stop and has many inns and motels, restaurants and gas stations.
Founded in 1880, the city and the mountain were named for William S. "Bill" Williams, a famous master trapper and scout on the old Santa Fe Trail.
At an elevation of 6,780 feet, Williams maintains its attractive small-town atmosphere, while large-town conveniences and entertainment are only 30 minutes away in Flagstaff via I-40.
The Williams area offers cool summer temperatures, four seasons and thickly pined forest at almost 7,000-foot elevation. The Williams area offers an abundance of outdoor attractions including Sycamore Canyon Wilderness which boast the second largest canyon in Arizona.
Enjoy fishing and camping at Cataract Lake, Kaibab Lake, Dogtown Lake and White Horse Lake. The popular Williams ski area provides excellent downhill skiing, sledding and nearby cross-country ski trails.
If you enjoy camping and hunting, the Kaibab National Forest surrounding Williams has over 200 campsites and seasonal hunting for deer, elk, mountain lions and bear. |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
The Grand Canyon Railroad offers historic steam-engine train rides between Williams and the Grand Canyon. The Southwest Chief Amtrak train route has a stop for Williams. The Grand Canyon Railroad Official Website |
|
|
|
 |
|
BearArizona is a drive-thru wildlife park. Experience animal wildlife the way it was meant to be, in a natural environment, all from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle. Your family will enjoy our wide variety of wildlife, from majestic bison and nimble big horn sheep to stealthy wolves and adorable bear cubs. |
|
| Valle |
|
Valle is a small community in the Coconino Plateau south of the Grand Canyon at the junction of U.S. Highway 180 and Arizona Highway 64. It is 30 miles north of Williams and 30 miles south of the South Rim.
There are several gas stations, motels and souvenir shops selling Indian crafts that cater to the tourists passing through on their way to the Grand Canyon. |
| |
| Pyramids of Valle - Once a new age shop built by hand, the new owner is revamping the inside and out both to meet code and to show off the place. The last time we noticed it was being converting to a hardware store. You will see them on your right just south of Valle. |
| |
| Valle Airport is home to the Planes of Fame Air Museum where visitors can see a sizable collection of WWII airplanes. Some are very rare and one-of-a-kind classic aircraft. From a Messerschmitt Me-109G-10/U4 to a flyable Douglas AD-4N Skyraider, an Aichi D3A2 Val (BT-15 Conversion), Douglas RB-26C Invader, Ford 5-AT Trimotor, Grumman J2F-6 Duck, Lockeed T-33 Shooting Star, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15, Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka 11, and many more!
One of the main stars at the Planes of Fame - Grand Canyon facility was the personal transport plane for General Douglas Macarthur, a Lockheed C-121A Constellation named 'Bataan' by the General himself. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Yaba-Daba-Doo! Flintstones Bedrock City is in Valle. |
|
 Want to get up close and personal to a dinosaur? While on your way to the Grand Canyon, why not stop and see the home of Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty? It is the vacation home of Fred's Stone Age family in Arizona.
Bedrock City is a 1972-vintage tourist attraction based on the popular Flintstones cartoon. The "stone" buildings are painted in bright, garish colors. Smiling fiberglass statues of Fred Flintstone and the other characters stand among the buildings. Obviously a lot of effort went into making this a fun place.
Open for over 35 years it is worn in places but a great place to let the kids run. It is family-owned and run where you can shop at the giftshop or spend the night at the Bedrock Campground. Watch out for the scary dinosaur.
You can also grab a brontosaurus burger or a chickasaurus sandwich at the Bedrock Diner. Don't forget your camera for a great photo opportunity.
After you leave Valle, the landscape quickly turns to sagebrush and other desert vegetation that stretchs across a level landscape to a great distance. Sit back, enjoy the ride and soon you will be looking at a wonder of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Over 50% of the Grand Canyon is in Mohave County, Arizona |
|
|
