The Grand Canyon is a very famous tourist destination situated in the state of Arizona in United States. Located by the Colorado River, Grand Canyon is a steep sided canyon that is carved by the Colorado River and largely contains the Grand Canyon National park which is one of the first national parks in United States. Grand Canyon is 446 km long and 29 km wide and has a depth of 6000 feet. Recently there have been debates that the Colorado River had established its course through the canyon nearly 17 million years ago.
The area was first inhabited by the Native Americans who built their settlements in the many caves present within the Canyon. The Europeans also set up their settlements in the canyons. The area is a great spot for vacationers who are interested in camping trips, back country hiking tours, and much more.
The canyon not only draws vacationers but a number of people who are interested in ancient history of civilizations, cultures and nature lovers. There are a number of photographers too who visit this place and some of the best photos in the world are those shot in the canyon. Grand Canyon is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to the Grand Canyon is truly overwhelming and a once in a life time experience.
Visiting the Grand Canyon
One of the must visit places at Grand Canyon is Grand Canyon National Park, the park is divided into two main areas namely the South Rim of the park which is most accessible and the North Rim that is remote. The park borders Indian reservations. The park has over 4,800 archaeological resources and remains of culture groups from Paleo India, Basket Maker, Cohonia, Euro American, Zuni, Pai and others have been found here. There are a number of activities that tourists can engage in at the park starting from walking, to hiking to camping and mountain climbing. Make sure you select the right rim to visit depending on your abilities.
The North Rim of the park is open from May to October and is also very wild and secluded making it extremely difficult to reach the rim. However, if you are a seasoned outdoor adventure holiday seeker, then this just the right place for you. The North Rim can be reached only by road. The South Rim however is perfect for amateur outdoor holiday seekers too and also has a local airport as well as rail service.
Do not miss out on a trip to Toroweap or the Tuweep Area that offers a scenic and breathtaking view of the river from 3000 feet above. The Hermit Road is also another scenic route along the Grand Canyon village on the South Rim and is very popular amongst tourists and can be accessed easily by foot, bike or buses. There are nine viewpoints that offer the best views of the canyon.
The nine view points are Trailer Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point and Hermits Rest. These view points are just the right spots where you can have a vertical view down into the canyon, enjoy the views of the Colorado River flowing below and also enjoy the spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. Camping is also possible along the trail.
Guided Tours of the Grand Canyon
Tourists can also enjoy guided tours, mule trips and river trips. There are guided tours that take you through both the North and South Rim or just the rim of your choice. If you are not much of an outdoor adventure person, you can also opt for the air tours over the rims that offer you striking views of the canyon from up above. A day or two day long mule trips or horse rides are also available to both North and South rim.
River trips can range from 1 day trip to 25 day trips. You can choose from the self guided raft trips to guided raft trips and according to the type of river trip chosen you have the options of enjoying the view of the canyon from the river. Permits of the white water river trips are given on first come first serve basis and have to be booked much in advance.
The Desert View drive is another scenic route that has six view points, five unmarked pull outs and four picnic areas. This route also includes the popular Desert Drive watchtower and campgrounds too. Do visit the Tusayan Ruin and Museum for insights into the ancient Puebloan village.
How to Reach the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon can be accessed by road, by rail and by air. Tourists can take a flight into one of the two metro airports, Phoenix airport and Las Vegas airport, both situated at few hours’ drive from the South Rim. There are a number of guided tourist buses originating in Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix that take tourists across the South Rim or even the North Rim. You can also opt to travel by train but this takes twice as long as to drive up to the canyon. A number of visitors to the canyon prefer to drive into the canyon.
Cost of a Trip
The entry into the park will cost $25 USD per vehicle and this permit is valid for seven straight days. There are a number of passes available that will offer you discounts or free entry into the park. Cost also depends on the type of tour that you wish to enjoy and the mode of transportations you choose. You can get some great deals on these camping, hiking or mountain climbing trips.
Hotels to Try Near the Grand Canyon
There are number of accommodation options available to tourist visiting the Grand Canyon. You can choose from the accommodation options in towns situated close to Grand Canyon such as Flagstaff, Williams and Tusayan. There are a number of National Park Hotels too that are located within the park. El Tovar is one of the most popular hotels here.
You can also find options ranging from lodge type accommodations to expensive suites. Grand Canyon Lodge – North Rim, Thunder Bird Lodge and Marble Canyon Lodge are some of the other lodges within the park. If you are more of an outdoorsy person, you can try out camping too at the camping grounds in the canyon.
Our Recommendations for a Trip to The Grand Canyon National Park
Make sure you check the latest weather forecast before heading out into the canyon and be prepared for any kind of situation that can come your way. Though the South Rim is open all throughout the year, summer is a busy season and reservations are strongly recommended in order to prevent any disappointments.
