Visiting the Grand Canyon is a Must for Travelers in Arizona

The Grand Canyon is referred to as one of the worlds wonders, located in Arizona it is difficult for the traveler to miss. The cost to enter the National Park is $25.00 a car. The weather along the Grand Canyon can range from extremely hot to extremely cold depending on the time of year a traveler decides to visit this area. When preparing to visit the Grand Canyon be sure to check weather reports and wear appropriate clothing. We found on our visit this May that layering our clothing was the best way to deal with the changing temperatures throughout the day.

Our visit this year was only to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon where there are several viewing points, lodges, campgrounds and eating establishments. There is a $25.00 per car fee to enter the National Park. We began our Grand Canyon tour at Mather Point where we discovered there is a shuttle bus that takes visitors all along the rim stopping at each location to allow the visitors the ability to visit the Canyon at any chosen point for any length of time. Shuttle buses run approximately every 15-20 minutes and make the South Rim an easy visiting arena for visitors of every age and the shuttle bus is free of charge.

On the shuttle route visitors can enjoy the Market Plaza and tour the Yavapai Lodge. Also located just a few yards from the Market Plaza is the Trailer Village and Mather Campground. The campgrounds are equipped with a laundry, showers and dump stations.

Re-board the shuttle bus and arrive at the Yavapai Observation Station to view the Grand Canyon from a different angle. Then once picture time is over again jump the shuttle to arrive at the next visitor area. This next area is where visitors can find the Kachina Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Thunderbird Lodge and the Hopi House gift shop. If a visitor wishes to spend time in one of the Grand Canyon Lodges it will be necessary to make reservations at least a year in advance. From this visitor area it is just a short walk down the Canyon rim path to Kolb Studio where visitors can check out the artwork of the Canyon. At Bright Angel Lodge the coffee shop serves up a mean bread bowl of chili along with one of the best cups of coffee I tasted in all of Arizona.

The final shuttle stop on this route before returning to the Mather Point parking areas is the Maswik Lodge where again reservations are booked out a year to two years in advance.

One tip to all travelers to this great wonder of our world called the Grand Canyon is to keep in mind it is one of the busiest places in Arizona. To take a mule ride to the bottom of the canyon it is necessary to make reservations at least 1 to 6 months in advance. The range rovers to the base of the canyon must have at least 48 hours advance reservations.

While visiting the Grand Canyon be sure to sit or walk along the south rim on the trails and view the shades and colors of the Canyon itself. The Canyon will speak to each visitor differently, I felt peace, quiet, and the flow of life as I sat along the South Rim watching the light of day as it moved across the land.

The Grand Canyon is a must visit for anyone who is spending time in the State of Arizona.