Williams AZ Circle Pines KOA

Williams Circle Pines KOA
Williams, AZ.
Happy Camper Rating  9/10

The Williams Circle Pines KOA in Williams, AZ. was a wonderful family orientated campground. We enjoyed many of the amenities. There were plenty of activities for the kids to do and we felt like they were safe and could enjoy independence while there. We swam in the indoor pool, played mini golf, ate at their outdoor restaurant called Bear Trax and played some of the arcade games. They also had a playground, pedal car track, tv room and laundry mat. At the end of this year they should be finished with their go cart track currently under construction. The campground is shaped like a huge circle. I enjoyed walking the grounds in the evening to get some exercise. Our camp neighbors were very nice and had a young boy about the same age as our little ones. Each camp had a fire pit and picnic table on site. It was beautiful to sit outside in the evening and see everyone enjoying their camp fires and enjoy each others company. The large trees helped shade the camp and gave the environment a cozy feel. Circle Pines trucks in their own water so we had to be very water conscious but that was easy to work with. We all really enjoyed this camp and would recommend it to those traveling to the Grand Canyon.

Main Building

Kids Mining play area

Bear Trax Restaurant

Original Playground

Indoor Pool

New Playground

Mini Golf

Our Camp

Toothless Charlie enjoying Bear Trax Hot Wings

Day 14 Pitstop...Meteor Crater

Day 14

Depart   Williams, AZ
Destination   Mesa, AZ 202 miles 3.5 hours 
Pitstop..... Meteor Crater

June 21, 2015  Happy Father's Day!

We decided to head to Mesa, AZ a few days early to get a few more days in with my sister and her beautiful family. Josh heard that a Meteor Crater was only about an hour away so we decided to get up early to beat the heat and drive out to view the Crater on our way out of town.

The drive out to the Meteor Crater was very secluded and well off the beaten path. As we pulled up to the museum building in the middle of nowhere, we had to pull into 7 car parking spaces to fit this Giant Rig we are calling home. We made our way through the Visiter's Center and up to the second floor where we watched a movie about the historical Meteor Crater. After being educated and hands on in the museum we went out back to view the Crater. The hole in the earth is large enough to fit 20 full size football fields and over 2 million spectators. It definitely didn't seem that large but when you look into the strategically placed telescopes, you can see many parts of the Crater that aren't visible to the naked eye. The tours during this time of year are very short and they don't walk around the Crater for a full view due to excessive heat so we opted out and took a self guided tour. It was a great experience. So glad we took advantage of getting a head start for the day.

We were eager to make it to our camp and set up with plenty of time to spend the evening celebrating Josh for Father's Day with my sister and family. After what seemed to be our shortest drive yet, we landed in Mesa's View Point RV Park at 3pm, shoved our favorite belongings in garbage bags and backpacks and left our "home" for a few days of face time with my sister, Stephanie and nephews, Parker and Tyson (aka T-Bone).

She planned a delicious meal for us and I was so blessed in that moment to finally be with them after 6 long months without them. SLUMBER PARTY!!

METEOR CRATER... Experience the Impact 

Awesome parking job

Middle of nowhere 

Apollo Test Capsule 

American Astronaut Wall of Fame

Meteor Crater Details

IMPACT the Meteor Crater Movie

THE SKY IS FALLING

Depth and measurements 

Meteor Impact locations in the US and Canada

Walk to the Viewing point

Meteor Crater

Strategically placed telescopes

The Family

leaving the middle of nowhere

Day 13 Grand Canyon: View from the TOP

Day 13

GRAND CANYON

June 20, 2015

Today we visited one of the Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon in AZ. We had over an hour drive from our camp to get to the Grand Canyon. The drive was beautiful, deserted, but beautiful. As we approached the camp entrance, we had to wait in line to pay for entry. I recommend prepaid entry if possible, that line moves quickly. While waiting in line, Josh began to sneeze uncontrollably. It was very unfortunate that he was having an allergy to something in the air. We entered the park and found parking near the Visiter's Center. We walked down the main viewing path along the South Rim and viewed the Canyon from Mather's Point. I was a little nervous about the height and small hand rail but we really enjoyed the viewing cliffs. There were a few people who went off the path and ventured out onto un-railed cliffs.  It made us very uncomfortable to watch so we went on our way until the path ended. The Canyon was breathtaking. The South Rim of the Canyon was beautiful shades of red with little greenery but they had some creatures living along the rim within the trees along the trail. They advise you not to feed the squirrels, rabbits, foxes and to watch for condors. The North Rim had much more signs of life but only 10% of those viewing the South Rim ever make it to the North rim. We toured the Visiter's Center and read about the Canyon. We purchased our souvenir pin and postcard and decided it was best we leave due to extreme heat and Josh's allergy. WATCH YOUR MAIL!

As we pulled away Josh decided to take a drive around the camps at the Canyon. We were able to watch as the Grand Canyon Train was pulling out of the station. It was pretty neat to see all the campers riding their rental bikes as their main transportation. Unbeknownst to me, Josh decided to detour into the Grand Canyon Airport. There, he checked us all in to take a helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon. I must say I was pretty scared. I don't fly well.

We watched a safety video and boarded the helicopter with our Pilot, Matt. He was a pretty nice guy with great knowledge of the Grand Canyon and all of the surrounding area. It was a short 9 minute ride to the edge of the Grand Canyon. As he counted down to the view, the music in our headphones played Frank Sinatra "Come Fly with Me" and the Superman theme song. He warned us just as we got to the edge then, BAM!! the ground drops out and we are inside the Grand Canyon. It scared me to death, it was a gut wrenching drop. After my initial shock wore off I started to take photos of the most magical panoramic views I've ever seen. Our pilot spent 50 amazing minutes with us inside the Canyon explaining so many things beyond what our eyes could see. We hoped to see the Wild Horses he spoke so highly about, but in the extreme heat we believe they found shelter. The view of the North Rim was so green and lush and very secluded. It was a dramatic change from the South Rim. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take a helicopter tour through the Grand Canyon. I hope our children will retell their experience for years to come.