Day 3 of the Ultimate USA Road Trip is almost entirely devoted to the beautiful Grand Canyon. The drive itself is approximately 230 km, but we will leave Flagstaff early anyway, as we need a lot of time today to enjoy the stops.

We drive on the Fort Valley Road through the beautiful green landscape of Arizona, with many trees, green plains and snowy peaks. Stop every now and then to take a photo.
After approximately 1½ hours of driving, we arrive at the first stop at the Raptor Ranch in Grand Canyon Junction, where fans of the cartoon series of “The Flintstones” can indulge themselves. You can visit the Bedrock City Theme Park here. A nice village in the style of the Flintstones. There are also air shows with birds of prey, shops and restaurants.

We drive on Highway64 through the Kaibab National Forest to Grand Canyon Village. The Kaibab National Forest is 1.6 million acres and borders both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon. It is divided into three major parts: the North Kaibab Ranger District and the South Kaibab, and is administered by the United States Forest Service. The South Kaibab is further divided into two districts, the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts. Grand Canyon National Park separates the North and South Kaibab. It has many different species of flora and fauna so enjoy the drive and maybe spot some wildlife.

In Grand Canyon Village we can stretch our legs, have lunch and enjoy this small village with shops, bars, restaurants and viewpoints over the Grand Canyon. You can descend into the Canyon via the Bright Angel Traihead. You do need a lot of time for this, so it is advisable to book an overnight stay in one of the lodges and to split this ride into two days. In the village you can visit the Kolb Studio Art and History Museum and Buckey O'Neill Cabin.

The Kolb Studio Art and History Museum is a Victorian home of the Kolb Brothers that has an enduring legacy of adventure, exploration, family love, and great Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the Canyon itself.
Photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb helped make the Grand Canyon a national icon. They built Kolb Studio, one of the earliest tourist destinations on the South Rim. The brothers started taking pictures of the mule riders from a small toll booth on the Bright Angel Trail. The toll house would later become the current five-storey house, theater and photo studio built on the edge of the gorge! The studio was used for 75 years to document visitors' travels and capture images of the Grand Canyon.
This historic building, a home, business, toll gate and photo studio was nearly demolished in the 1960s, yet it has been preserved and has since been redesigned, rebuilt and turned into a multi-storey house as it is today many times since.

Buckey O'Neill Cabin is the only surviving early pioneer building of the village. William Owen "Buckey" O'Neill, built this cabin in 1895. It is a 2 room office and bunkhouse and was home to Buckey and his wife while they operated a small hotel on the South Rim. Buckey improved the Bright Angel Trail and camped in Indian Garden and promoted the Grand Canyon Railroad.
Buckey O'Neill died in 1898 and after his death the cabin was bought by entrepreneur James Thurber, who owned and operated the nearby Bright Angel Hotel. Thurber incorporated the cabin as part of his hotel. The hotel was demolished in 1934-1935 and replaced by the current Bright Angel Lodge. Buckey O'Neill's cabin was renovated as a guest house and can still be booked for an overnight stay.

Via the South Entrance Road we drive to Yavapai Observation Station where the Geology Museum of the same name offers one of the best vantage points of the Grand Canyon.
Annotated displays at the panoramic windows show where to look to see the various rock formations. There are models of the different rock formations of the North and South Rim. Here you can learn the names of the different rock layers, discover information about the geological history recorded in the rocks and visualize the sculpture of the modern landscape.

The next stop is scheduled at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Mather Point lookout and amphitheater of the same name. Located on one of the finest vantage points along the South Rim, the amphitheater was built using native limestone and provides seating for visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of the Colorado River, Zoroaster Temple, and Bright Angel Canyon. It is an ideal place for ranger-led interpretive programs or simply relax and enjoy the view of the canyon.

We continue the journey along the Grand Canyon and along the way there are several viewpoints where you can stop to enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon and Little Colorado River. At every point the view is completely different and breathtaking so take the time to contemplate this beautiful wonder of the world.

Along the route is the Tusayan Museum and its ruins. The small museum is well worth a visit and gives a good idea of the Native American tribes that lived here. The ruins give you a nice picture of the old settlement. Walk through the forest and experience how the inhabitants used nature to live and eat.

Along the way you will see many stands of market vendors in parking lots that offer Native jewelry, art and other items for sale, support the community by buying a souvenir.
The end point of this beautiful day is the small town of Cameron on the Little Colorado River. You will stay in the beautiful Cameron Trading Post motel. The rooms are decorated in a Native American art motif typical of the Grand Canyon country.
The restaurant offers American, Mexican and Native American dishes. You can enjoy the sunset over the Little Colorado River and the tranquility of the beautiful gardens in full bloom. Experience the nearby attractions, gift shops and see the historic Tanner's Crossing Bridge behind the motel.