EXPERIENCE THE GRAND CANYON 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. 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). 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. North Rim 8 VISITARIZONA.COM XANTERRA TRAVEL COLLECTION West Rim
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2023-24: Page 8
