A Day At The Grand Canyon (With a Baby)

Recently we took a trip out to visit Grand Canyon National Park and we had our double stroller in tow. I know what you're thinking, "you can't possibly see the Grand Canyon with a double stroller" but I am here to tell you YES YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN! 

Staying Near Grand Canyon

Since we were already visiting a different part of Arizona our drive out to Grand Canyon National Park was going to be about 5 hours long. There is a cluster of hotels in an area called "Grand Canyon Village" that is about 15 minutes from the Visitor's Center. Here is where you'll find The Grand Hotel, a Best Western, a Holiday Inn Express, and more. I did find these hotels to have a higher price tag than I was expecting but being that the immediate surrounding area of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is forests and open land there aren't many options inside 30 minutes from the canyon. 

Tip: Get Your Kicks in Flagstaff First

Did you know Historic Route 66 cuts through Flagstaff, Arizona? Located about 90 minutes from Grand Canyon National Park's Visitor Center this city has a hub of hotels, restaurants and breweries. Here you can check out Flagstaff's own Visitor's Center, Flagstaff Brewing Co. and a plethora of other establishments that line the historic road.

You can spend one or two nights here. We traveled about 4(ish) hours to Flagstaff and checked in to our hotel. The next morning we woke up, had breakfast (thank you Hampton Inn & Suites) and then drove the 90 minutes out to the Grand Canyon. In talking with out guests at the hotel this seemed like a very popular plan. 

Strollers At the Grand Canyon? Really?!

YES!! There is a path that is fully paved. On the South Rim Trail you can walk (and stroll) from parking lot A (Grand Canyon National Park Headquarters) all the way to the Visitor's Center.

I want to be perfectly clear, when you pick up the South Rim Trail from the path from parking lot A, you'll see the canyon in front of you and then you'll go to the RIGHT.

This will take you down the Trail of Time, this will be 100% paved, this will have great views of the canyon, this will allow you to visit Yavapai Geological Museum,  this will lead you to Mather's Point and then end at the Visitor's Center. 

I cannot speak on what happens when you go left as I am not 100% sure it is fully paved as I did not walk it myself so I would never suggest something if I didn't have all the facts.

​But trust me when I say we had a full day, got great pics and amazing views of the canyon walking the Trail of Time on the South Rim Trail walking to the Visitor's Center and back again.

Tip: Don't Forget Lunch!

If you plan on starting at the Visitor's Center I want to stress that you'll want to bring your own lunch. There was a coffee shop/cafe (that was so packed when I got there I couldn't even step inside) and what looked to be two food trucks with very long lines. I don't know what these places offer but I do know there was no inside seating. There were a limited number of tables outside of that small cafe or benches and rock slabs that were all outside. I was super grateful to have already had our food on us though not having a place to sit and take a break inside was a bummer.  

Canyon Village Market & General Store

Located in parking lot B, which is right across the street from parking lot A (Grand Canyon National Park Headquarters) the Canyon Village Market & General Store has a deli counter that you can purchase made to order sandwiches AND a grocery store that also sells prepared sandwiches.

Pro Tip: If the deli counter has a very long line. the grocery store has plenty of check out lines and you can also buy readymade sandwiches there to skip the wait! 

This is where we started our journey. We bought lunch, walked across the street into parking lot A, found the path to the South Rim Trail and then made our way to the Visitor's Center and then walked the whole way back to our car. 

You Can Still Get Insta-Worthy Pictures

Don't let "fully paved" scare you. While the path is clearly marked and lined with large rocks there are multiple opportunities for you to venture off the path (if you really want to live on the wild-side) as long as you have someone who can stay with your kids in the stroller. I personally had no interest in walking close to the edge, it was a faaaaar way down but that didn't stop plenty of people from trying to get that infamous Insta-worthy shot.