The Grand Canyon's West Side: A Traveller's Guide

Many come to the Grand Canyon for their vacations from nearby points such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and the most convenient point for them to reach is the West Rim. To get to this developed area of the Grand Canyon, you can rent a car and make the 113 mile drive to the West Rim or, if you have a limited time in the area, take one of the many available shuttles or air tours. This area is not part of the Grand Canyon National Park's grounds, but is on the Hualapai Native American Reservation, and thus, it is not permitted to wander around unescorted. Here, you will find the fabled Skywalk over the Grand Canyon that was opened in March 2007, an amazing glass-bottomed walkway that allows visitors to visitors to walk 70 feet over the Canyon's edge, 4000 feet above the Colorado River. There is also a café and gift shop.

A number of air trips to the West Rim are available from Las Vegas, Phoenix or Sedona, such as helicopter tours that fly below the rim and land on the Canyon floor for a picnic lunch, airplane flights that offer the best viewing of the Canyon's depth and scope, and rafting trips along the Colorado River. For an abbreviated vacation, all of these options will allow you to truly appreciate the wonder of the Canyon.

Your best plan may be to avail yourself of the discounted lodging in Las Vegas and take a day or overnight tour from there. Others options that allow you can stay in private cabins or your own authentic Native American tipi. Also offered are guided horseback rides and authentic wagon rides on the Old Mormon Trail, western style entertainment and Grand Canyon helicopter tours.

Another unique lodging experience is to helicopter down to Phantom Ranch, which lies at the floor of the Grand Canyon and has its own heliport. This resort village is very popular and accommodations must be reserved up to two years in advance. The facilities include cabins, male and female dormitories, a restaurant, a mule corral, emergency medical facilities, Bright Angel campground, and a beach often visited by river-rafters. You can only get there by foot trails, the Colorado River and by helicopter. Phantom Ranch has the distinction of being one of the only places left in America whose mail is delivered by mule.

For additional information and a free Insider's Guide to the Grand Canyon, visit www.FreeGrandCanyonGuide.com