Bunta Stewart

AWS Systems Manager is a product designed to help you manage large groups of servers deployed into the cloud. For instance, it provides a remote connection to systems, security and patch updates, remote command execution, and other administration tasks at scale.

It also provides a feature called the Parameter Store. The parameter store is a superb place to store centralized data like API keys, database strings, passwords, and other configuration data.

The Parameter Store is a great way to make your application less stateful and improve your ability to deploy across several environments. The parameter store has a few advantages over other methods of managing variables:

I choose parameters over environment variables because I can update the parameter in one location and the changes are instantly available to any code using the parameter.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Parameter Store is the hierarchy structure. Hierarchies are parameters that start with a slash. They are a great way to organize parameters in a manageable fashion. I often create parameters for dev, test, and prod.

This is a painless way to separate and manage parameters even when you have thousands of them.

A parameter is a piece of data stored within AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store. AWS provides no validation on any parameters (with one exception covered later).

There are three types of Parameter Store parameters (and a fourth kinda-weird bonus type).

Strings are exactly what you expect. Strings are any block of text such as Hello World, test, or wow this is a great blog post.

StringList is, again, rather intuitive. A StringList is a collection of strings separated by a comma. For example, Cat,Dog,Rabbit and Mercury,Mars,Melons are two examples of string lists.

SecureString is used for sensitive data like passwords and API Keys. Data stored in a SecureString parameter are encrypted using keys managed by the AWS Key Management Service. You should know that these parameters are free to use, but AWS will charge you for the Key Management Service as usual.

There is one strange “bonus” type you should know. When using a string attribute, you can use an additional parameter --data-type and then specify an Amazon machine image resource number.

The parameter store will validate that the AMI image is valid, then you’ll be able to use the AMI in other services by referencing the parameter.

There are two types of parameters: standard parameters and advanced parameters. Advanced parameters support parameter policies which can set parameter expiration, notify you if parameters expire, and let you know if a parameter hasn’t changed in a while.

You can upgrade parameters to advanced parameters, but you can never downgrade to a standard parameter. There’s really no reason to use an advanced parameter unless you run up against one of the limits below or you need the advanced policies they offer for notifications.

This option is a blend of the two standard options. When you select intelligent tiering, the parameter store will inspect each parameter to see if requires advanced features. If it does, the store automatically upgrades the parameter to the advanced tier.

Intelligent tiering helps control cost and prevent failures because you hit the limit on standard parameters or tried to store a key larger than 4KB. If you don’t mind spending the money on advanced parameters, it’s worth considering.

You’ll need to install and configure the AWS CLI if you haven’t already.

Creating parameters is very easy. There’s a built in command to create parameters.

To create a SecureString, add a --Key-Id and specify a KMS Key ARN.

Getting parameters is even more fun. To get a parameter by name, use get-parameters.

SecureString parameters require a --with-decryption flag.

You can get all the parameters in hierarchy

and use describe-parameters to query parameters by type.

Versioning is another great feature of the parameter store. If you overwrite a parameter that already exists, the parameter’s version will increment.

Lets inspect the parameter’s history.

Parameter polices allow you to set expirations for parameters, get notified when a parameter expires, and also get notified if a parameter hasn’t changed in a while. Don’t ask me why policies are only good for these three things, but that’s how it works. Maybe AWS will add more options.

You can set an expiration time with policies.

You can set up notifications if a parameter is expiring.

And finally, you can set up notifications if a parameter has not changed in a set time period.

Assigning a parameter policy with the AWS CLI is relatively straightforward.

If you want to use the Parameter Store with other services (you probably do), you’ll need to grant that service access via a service role.

I’ve included a role here which will give you access to the Parameter Store for whatever service assumes the role (Just don’t forget to attach this to your service role).

If you require more strict access control, you can limit access to read-only or only allow access to certain parameters.

Obviously, no service would be complete with a way to interact with it from code and the Parameter Store is no exception. The AWS SDK, in my case Boto3 since I use python, offers a straightforward way to interface with the Parameter Store.

For example, in the code below I access three different prefixes based on a single environment variable set on the host (you can do this with EC2 user data or a Dockerfile) and then my application knows which set of parameters to retrieve. I use it to a variety of things including API keys, log file locations, ports, debug status, and more.

As if the two epic stops bookending this road trip aren’t motivation enough, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park is filled with other amazing places you can use to break up the 253 mile distance from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, or 4 and a half hour trip.

– Here’s what’s waiting for you if you travel from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car!

Don’t simply make your Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip about getting from one bucket list stop to another, instead make the most of the drive by squeezing in a few top Nevada and Arizona photo ops. If you’re renting a car in Las Vegas you might as well make the most of it!

No idea where to start? Here are the most exciting stops on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip, according to me.

And if you don’t plan to drive or rent a car, here are the best Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas. Travel by land, air, and water on a guided tour of the major attractions. There’s no need to miss out!

For a hassle-free enjoyable day trip, join a bus tour that takes you straight to the Grand Canyon from your hotel in Las Vegas. Or for an incredible bird’s-eye view, soar above the canyon in a helicopter or airplane, after which you can hop on a boat to see the sights below.

Here are the best stops on the Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive, including all the best places to stop between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon!

(Tents, tiny homes, glamping and sheep wagons!)

While you’re in Las Vegas, how about doing a helicopter ride over the strip, or booking a ticket to the High Roller Ride at the Linq. Both offer amazing views of an iconic city! Also, read my review of staying at The Stratosphere – the Vegas hotel with the rollercoasters on the top!

Check out my top tips for making the most of Las Vegas here.

You won’t be far into the Grand Canyon road trip, before you start to see Lake Mead. This lake lies on the Colorado River and is flanked by beautiful mountains. It makes for the perfect photo op (especially with a drone – check laws) and as if by magic there’s the Lake Mead Scenic View, Sunset View or Lake Mead National recreation area set up to make sure you get a snap worth sharing.

All have amazing views and if you’re already feeling like you need a quick refresh, you can take a quick dip in the water. LOOK AT IT!

Click here if you want to experience the Grand Canyon by helicopter – one of the most impressive sights in the world. And if you just want to do a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Vegas, via the Hoover Dam, this is the tour for you.

Check out all the impressive Grand Canyon tours here.

Las Vegas to Lake Mead time and distance:

If you want to know more about the Grand Canyon, ready for your trip, watch this video!

Hop in the car for another 10 minutes and pull up to the Hoover Dam. A big concrete arch on the border of Arizona and Nevada states, it might not sound that interesting but this spot has a load of historical significance and is pretty impressive to see.

The Hoover Dam is a 700-foot tall, man-made dam that produces hydroelectric power and water. Completed in 1936, it was considered an engineering win at the time, and you can now walk over the damn via the world’s tallest concrete arch bridge. If you want to get a bit more info then you can take a construction tour of the dam and adjoining powerplant.

Bit of a niche audience but if you want to learn more about the Hoover Dam, think about joining one of the Hoover Dam information tours.

Lake Mead to Hoover Dam time and distance:

Just put ‘Nevada 89005, United States’ in your Sat Nav, and it’ll give you the exact directions to the Hoover Dam.

The Hoover Dam is on the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

It’s huge, you can’t really miss it. There’ll also be plenty of signs directing you to the Hoover Dam too.

Say hello to Arizona and a whole lot of history with a stop in the city of Chloride. As the oldest mining town in Arizona, there’s a fair bit of history and some cool things to see here, including the roadside junk art and quirky murals.

Only a few hundred people live in this place, but if you turn up on a reenactment day with mock gunfights, you’ll see a few more and get a real feel for what this town was like in its mining heyday.

Hoover Dam to Chloride time and distance:

Also known for its history as well as the hiking, Kingman is worth parking up to take a look around. Depending on how much time you have on your Grand Canyon trip, you can make this a real educational stop by hitting up the Mohave Museum of History and Arts, the Route 66 Museum and Kingman Railroad Museum.

If you’re travelling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car, these are the kind of fun detours you can enjoy.

If you’d prefer an alcoholic education then, granted you’re not the one at the wheel of the rental car, swing by the Cella Winery, Stetson Winery or Desert Diamond Distillery instead.

Chloride to Kingman time and distance:

From Kingman you can opt to take the I-40 or Route 66. If you go for the I-40 then 14 miles east you’ll reach a ranch that’s home to 37 alpacas all waiting to be fed, petted and photographed.

For $11 per car you can get up close with a tour at the SouthWest Alpacas Farm, but be sure to put some dimes aside to purchase the essential souvenir: a pair of alpaca socks. No road trip to the Grand Canyon is complete without them.

Kingman to the alpacas time and distance:

– Billy Connolly knows what it’s like driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon!

If instead of the I-40 you opted for Route 66, then apart from driving on one of the world’s most famous roads, you can surprisingly do a safari. Not quite what you were expecting on your Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive? Me neither but Keepers of the Wild is a sanctuary for rescue animals and offers tours for $20.

While you might be imagining the usual dogs and cats scenario, instead expect to see tigers, lions, bears and wallabees.

Alpacas to Keepers of the Wild time and distance:

READ MORE: This is one of the best US Road Trips you can go on.

Click to read my post for more!

Whether you’re driving from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas or the other way around, consider making Seligman, aka the birthplace of Route 66, your next stop.

Throwing you back to the 1950s, Seligman has retained all its otherworldly charm. In fact, if you’ve ever watched the Disney movie Cars, you’ll know exactly what to expect because rumour has it Pixar may have drawn a little inspiration from this place. A dusty desert town, there are only 500 residents so it’s really quiet meaning no queues when you grab a milkshake from the Delgadillo’s Snow Cap drive-in or a buffalo burger from the Roadkill Cafe.

Keepers of the Wild to Seligman time and distance:

How about this for an Arizona road trip: the Phoenix to Sedona drive!

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Before you take a swift turn north for the final stretch on your journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon south rim, pull in to the town of Williams.

Calling itself the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, it marks the last part of the famous Route 66 and is again another one sending you onto what feels like a movie set, this time to the Wild West. Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, the Route 66 Zipline or a visit to the Bearizona Wildlife Park are all fun activities to do here.

Definitely one of the hotspots on the drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon!

Seligman to Williams time and distance:

– One of the sweeter spots on the drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon

If you have a bit of time before you reach the Grand Canyon, stop off at the Kaibab National Forest. Think of the forest as a primer for the breathtaking views you’re about to see in the canyon itself.

The forest is 1.6 million acres of lush greenery making it the perfect spot for a quick hike or picnic. You can also get some great views from the Marble Viewpoint.

Williams to Kaibab time and distance:

The closest pitstop to make from the Grand Canyon National Park is the town of Tusayan. It sits just by the south rim entrance so is a good alternative for accommodation if everything closer is fully booked.

The town itself is quite small and made up of hotels and restaurants and so while it’s not bursting with things to do, it’s a good place to consider parking and then taking the shuttle bus up to the entrance. This is a good spot on the drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon if you just want somewhere to chill.

Kaibab to Tusayan time and distance:

You definitely need a few days in the Grand Canyon to explore the best of the area. How about doing a Grand Canyon West Rim Skywalk while you’re there?

Alternatively, this jeep and hike tour of the Grand Canyon looks pretty sweet too. These tours are great if you want to know more about the Grand Canyon, how it came to be, and need all your weird and wonderful questions answered.

And you’ve made it!

Fun route for travelling from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by car, hey?

Let me know how you get on.

You can book good value, reliable car hire with Rental Cars – use this link for the best deals.

READ MORE

One of the best things to do between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon is to find some cool places to stay.

Tents, tiny homes, glamping and sheep wagons!

READ MORE

The best Grand Canyon day hikes for you to enjoy on Vagrants of the World. One of the best things to do from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is to get out and see the views for yourself.

Want another Vegas road trip option? How about driving from Vegas to Yosemite?

It’s 253 miles from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas. The drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is a 4 and a half hour trip, straight. However, I’d totally recommend you take the detours on this list to really make the most of your road trip.

– Just two hours north of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and you can visit the incredible Zion National Park. Here you can follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked.

If you look at a map you’ll see there are lots of National Parks near the Grand Canyon. If you want to extend your trip to look round these, then it’s really easy to drive there.

Here are some of the best cities near the Grand Canyon, with their distances and timings too. I just want to make it as easy as possible for you to enjoy your road trip from Las vegas to Grand Canyon, and vice versa.

Sedona in Arizona would be my top choice, in fact, I’ve written a guide to the best things to do in Sedona here.

The drive is pretty easy. You’ll pass some high points but these give the best views. It’s mostly highway, and coming from England, the roads seem super wide so you’ll have plenty of space to manoeuvre. We had no problems driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, and I hope you don’t either!

Well, apart from all the cool stops from Vegas to Grand Canyon, you can also have fun in the car. There are loads of fun car games you can play, you can make some cool road trip playlists before you go, and you can also enjoy all the drive thrus on a road trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. The scenery from the car is worth the trip alone!

Lake Mead, which happens to be the US largest reservoir, is the national park that can be passed by on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip. And hey, if it counts, Grand Canyon itself is a national park exposing a rich history of rock formation.

The distance between Las Vegas and to Grand Canyon is over 270 miles which would take more than 4 hours to drive. With this fact, Las Vegas is not that close to the Grand Canyon but the good thing about is its road trip is worth taking!

Based on the accounts of drivers, there are no tolls between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. Park fees are required though.

Expect a scenic drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. A landscape of earthy palette would something you would enjoy from this trip.

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is the closest to Las Vegas. A trip going to this route is only over 130 miles which are estimated to be a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

A one-day trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon would either have the North Rim or South rim as the destination — both routes cover 270 miles distance. Stops would usually include the Hoover Dam, Seligman, AZ Route 66, Snow Cap Drive-In, Lilo’s Cafe, and more. Learn more about these by checking the places I featured that you must visit on a Las Vegas to Grand Canyon.

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Pin these Vegas to Grand Canyon road trip tips for later?

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