I have flown across Nevada to 'see the Grand Canyon' twice in the last two years.
I am not short of hours (500+) and flew with another PPL of greater experience and hours.
It is not a trip for the faint hearted: after mid morning it can be as turbulent as hell and to fly over the Grand Canyon (see my picture on BRLs photo thread on here) you have to reach altitudes of 10-11,000ft.
Our Ageing Arrow just made it in 2004 , hanging on the prop with the oil temp nudging red and our (much newer but less powerful) Archer this year also struggled.
Don't get me wrong: its a wonderful experience, but do it with another pilot in the RHS.
With your hours, which as others have intimated sound a bit low, you may well not be able to rent an a/c for self hire.
Why not, this time, to experience the trip in safety, hire an a/c with an instructor: you'll need a biggish engine and a C152 certainly won't be up to the job.
Try a search of North Las Vegas airport for FBOs (Westair Aviation springs to mind).
Don't bother with McCarran this time.
And while you're there drop into Death Valley (Furnace Creek) for a new experience in heat.
Others with greater experience than mine will also no doubt add their two penneth.
Good Luck
Cusco
