A Guide for Your Visit to the Grand Canyon

Words are just inadequate to describe the effect the Grand Canyon has on its visitors. It is something out of this world, an experience so overwhelming that all you are bound to hear plenty of 'oohs' and 'ahs' from awe-struck travelers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Northern Arizona, it is among the greatest tourist attractions in the world. The Canyon can be approached through the remote North Rim and also through the more accessible South Rim. Due to its easy accessibility, almost 90 percent of all tourists visit the latter. Both these Rims offer a number of options for camping, as well as hotels and restaurants. The rush of visitors is at its peak during the busy summer season. However, fall, spring, and winter are all great times to visit this magnificent natural wonder.

The South Rim has many attractions including excellent views, several scenic drives, museums, historical buildings, lots of shopping and cultural shows. Although only a dozen miles from the South Rim across the canyon, the North Rim is actually over 200 miles by road. Its beauty has been enhanced by the fact that it is relatively underdeveloped and remote. It remains closed from the middle of October to the middle of April. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are also popular destinations near the North Rim. South Rim visitors often head toward Flagstaff or Sedona.

Another beautiful area of the Canyon is the Havasupai Reservation. You must make your reservation well in advance though visitors are limited in number. You can take extended guided hikes via foot or horseback 3,000 feet down into the Canyon. The Hualapai Reservation has hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting and camping facilities. The Inner Canyon is a wilderness area, subject to temperature extremes, flash floods, rockslides, and other natural hazards. If you have plans to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the North Rim, South Rim, or Tuweep, a permit from the Backcountry Information Center is essential. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging found between the north and south rims. Tuweap Point will give you one of the finest views of the Grand Canyon, a frightening and scary abyss. However, you have to drive 60 miles of unpaved road on the far North Rim to reach there.

You can take a guided tour of the Canyon that includes transportation from the surrounding areas. Some tour operators provide bus travel from nearby towns while others begin in the park. Some of them will provide just a brief tour with small stops, while others may take you on a hike, and arrange all your meals. From modest cabins to luxury accommodations, you will get a lot to choose from for your Grand Canyon stay. As summer is the busiest season, it is better to make early reservation to avoid disappointment.

Private vehicles, individuals on foot or on a bike have to pay an entrance fee, valid for seven days. You can take a stroll along portions of the rim trail to enjoy the magnificent views. At the Canyon, you can find many animals, such as deer, elk, and big horn sheep. For those interested in hiking, the most popular trail is the Bright Angel Trail leaving from Grand Canyon Village near the Bright Angel Lodge. Another popular trail is the South Kaibab Trail down to Cedar Ridge.

No tour is complete without shopping. You can buy various types of tourist trinkets relating to the Grand Canyon, Native American Indians, and the American Southwest from shops in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. The North Rim has only one shop located at the North Rim Lodge.

No matter where you stay or what activities you plan, you will surely enjoy your visit to the breathtaking Grand Canyon.