2023-10-19 04:39:23
Vast, magnificent and inarguably beautiful, the Grand Canyon is easily Arizona’s most distinguishable landmark — a natural wonder you must see to believe. At 277 miles long, as much as 18 miles wide and a full mile deep, the Grand Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the world, and its colorful walls contain rock layers — the oldest of those layers being 1.8 billion years old — that reveal a timeline of Earth’s history. Its dramatic beauty and staggering magnitude have astounded centuries of ancient civilizations, early explorers, scientists, artists and, today, nearly 5 million annual visitors. Ever since the Grand Canyon was designated a national park in 1919, the National Park Service has been preserving the culture, history and natural beauty of this immortal destination, as well as welcoming generations of visitors to experience its wonder. 3 Rims to Explore South Rim Most easily accessible from Phoenix, Sedona or Flagstaff, the South Rim welcomes more visitors than the North Rim and offers the most amenities and attractions in terms of lodging, dining, tours, transportation, viewpoints and family-friendly experiences. It is also open year-round. As this area tends to be much busier, book reservations well in advance. North Rim Quieter, more remote and offering fewer services, this rugged section of Grand Canyon National Park receives fewer visitors and offers a more outdoor-minded experience. Due to its higher elevation, the North Rim is also cooler in temperature and experiences heavy snowfall in winter, resulting in a shorter season (mid- May to mid-October, weather dependent). West Rim Activities abound at this portion of the Grand Canyon, located outside of the national park on Hualapai tribal lands. Walk on the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extending 70 feet over the Grand Canyon; ride the rapids with Hualapai River Runners; soar 40 miles per hour on the zipline and learn about tribal culture in Eagle Point’s authentic village. Adventure Your Way ADVENTURES Boasting stunning views the entire way, the strenuous South Kaibab Trail offers numerous turnaround points for day-hikes; whereas, the 24-mile (one-way) Rim-to-Rim Hike begins from the North Kaibab Trail before connecting with the Bright Angel Trail for an unforgettable journey. (Hop on the Trans-Canyon Shuttle for a 4.5-hour transit between rims.) For water fun, sightsee on a rip-roaring rafting trip with Advantage Grand Canyon. FAMILIES The Bright Angel Trail offers sweeping views and convenient amenities such as water stations, restrooms and shelters along the way. At Bright Angel Bicycles & Café at Mather Point, rent a cruiser or e-bike to pedal along the paved Greenway Trail. Or ride in a pink, safari-style Jeep with Pink Adventure Tours, pairing scenic viewpoints with tickets to the new IMAX film with laser technology, Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time. HISTORY BUFFS Stroll the mostly paved Rim Trail to explore local history: the Yavapai Museum of Geology, with its educational exhibits; Verkamp’s Visitor Center, one of the oldest buildings in the village; Hopi House, a 1905 Mary Colter-designed Hopi pueblo-style structure; Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio, a gift shop with books on the Grand Canyon; and Kolb Studio, showcasing art and history exhibits. SIGHTSEERS Book the Observation Dome on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, the gateway to the South Rim, for panoramic views from a glassen-closed streamliner all the way to the Grand Canyon. For visitors with limited mobility, the Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit allows personal vehicles on Hermit and Yaki Point roads (closed to public traffic), and the 1.3-mile wheelchair accessible Trail of Time and Mather Point offer even more to see. Scan the QR code for an insider’s guide on how to do the 24-mile Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike “the right way.” KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Practical Planning Tips PEAK SEASON May October BEST TIME TO VISIT January February With the kids out of school, summertime is undoubtedly the busiest time of year, as visitors from all over the world come to the Grand Canyon to enjoy camping, outdoor adventures and family vacations. If you’re staying during this time, be sure to book your lodging early, as reservations start filling up nine months to a year in advance. For cooler weather, lighter crowds and better lodging availability, plan your trip during winter months. WHERE TO STAY Bring your tent or RV to enjoy the great outdoors at one of the many campsites in the park. All three National Park Service campgrounds accept reservations: on the South Rim, Mather Campground and Desert View Campground; and on the North Rim, North Rim Campground. For full RV hook-ups, Trailer Village is a concessioner-run RV park. If roughing it isn’t quite your style, choose from numerous hotels, both inside and outside the park. Located at the top of Bright Angel Trailhead, the historic Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins provides rustic accommodations close to outdoor adventure. Take your pick from budget-friendly lodge rooms with shared bathrooms, standard lodge rooms with private bathrooms or private cabins (one of which was home to one of President Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders”). Thunderbird Lodge and Kachina Lodge are popular choices for families, due to their convenient location within walking distance to many of the park’s attractions, while Maswik Lodge is a remodeled historical lodging option nearby. Perched on the edge of the South Rim, the European chalet-style El Tovar Hotel, which opened in 1905, offers spectacular views, one-of-a-kind rooms and suites and fine dining in the famous El Tovar Dining Room. Just a mile from the entrance of the park in nearby Tusayan, The Grand Hotel at The Grand Canyon is the area’s only AAA Three Diamond hotel. The rustic chalet-style hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, plus a steakhouse and saloon. On the North Rim (open mid-May to mid-October, weather dependent), book a guest room or one of the cozy cabins at the historic Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim to stay amid towering pine trees and just steps away from the Bright Angel Point Trail. This landmark lodge boasts cliffside views and an on-site restaurant serving up hearty, regionally inspired dishes. GETTING AROUND Grand Canyon National Park offers free shuttle buses that operate on set routes throughout the park (South Rim). For a $120 fee (per person, one way), the Trans-Canyon Shuttle takes visitors between the North and South Rims in under five hours. STAY SAFE AND BE PREPARED A safe trip is a fun trip! During summer months, beat the heat by using free water-refilling stations, wearing sunscreen and utilizing shade shelters. In winter, wear over-the- shoe traction devices on icy trails. If you hear thunder, seek shelter in a building or vehicle. Any time of year, protect Arizona’s beautiful and wild places by following the Appreciate AZ principles: AppreciateAZ.com. Canyon Floor Adventures Venture to the bottom of the Grand Canyon by mule, on foot or by rafting the Colorado River to make your way to Phantom Ranch, a historic lodge with dormitory lodging and private cabins (available for reservation by a lottery system). Backpackers also can camp at the Bright Angel Campground (permit required), the only established campground on the canyon floor. Or drive along Diamond Creek Road, the only vehicle-accessible road into the west side of the canyon. The road begins in the town of Peach Springs, outside of the national park, and a permit is required.
©Arizona Official Travel Guide. View All Articles.