The Grand Canyon: A Crash Course

The Grand Canyon is set in Grand Canyon National Park, an area 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep, in north central Arizona. It was formed by erosion caused by the flow of the Colorado River, the shifting of the Earth's plates with continental drift and climactic change. The Grand Canyon National Park began as a protected forest preserve in 1893, and did not achieve national park status until 1919. The North and South Rims are connected by a 215 mile paved road and a 21 mile transcanyon trail. The Park is a four and one half hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada through some lovely country. It is also accessible from the Phoenix Airport, a drive of about 210 miles. The shortest route to the Park is just west from centrally located Flagstaff, AZ, just 90 miles from the Park, though the airfares to Flagstaff may be higher. Grand Canyon National Park itself has a number of lodging facilities, from posh, to affordable campgrounds. There are also a number of motels a few miles outside the park in Tusayan. Upscale resorts are also available in Scottsdale, Sedona, and Flagstaff.

Some areas of the Park may be closed during the period of mid-October to mid-May. The North Rim experiences more extreme temperatures, and roads and tourist areas may be closed. The South Rim area of the Grand Canyon National Park has the most amenities--such as lodgings, restaurants, general store, post office and bank. The summer months are high tourist season at the Grand Canyon. Crowds are thick, and traffic can be heavy. To assure lodging within the Grand Canyon National Park grounds, you would do well to book your reservations as early as possible. Tours such as mule-rides and rafting on the Colorada River also fill quickly, so reserve your space as early as possible.

Parking is available at the Grand Canyon National Park, but may be limited at some scenic outlook points. A free shuttle bus is available at the Park to take you to all points within the Park grounds. It is advisable to consider the weather in planning your trip to the Grand Canyon. Extreme temperatures may affect your enjoyment of certain outdoor activities, such as mule-riding or whitewater rafting, so you might prefer to plan your trip during the milder temperatures of spring and fall. Even within the Canyon itself temperatures can swing widely, so that your hike may begin at the top of the Canyon in 80 degree temperatures and end in 60 degree temperatures at the bottom, you can encounter intense heat even at the bottom of the Canyon during the summer months. Winter is beautiful at the Park, but hiking trails can be icy and dangerous. Pack accordingly. Sunscreen and hats are necessities.

For additional information or a free insiders guide, visit http://www.freegrandcanyonguide.com