Grand Canyon
A revelation
The Grand Canyon commands attention the world over. It is one of the seven natural wonders that never ceases to amaze whoever is lucky enough to stand in awe of it.
The park is divided between the South and North Rims, which are ten miles apart as the crow flies, a 21-mile rim-to-rim hike across the canyon, or a staggering 220 miles apart by car. The majority of visitors explore the South Rim, with only 10% venturing to the more rugged and remote North Rim. There are attractions in East and West Gand Canyon which are not popular. But do not miss Skywalk located in Grand Canyon West.
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The canyon itself is one mile deep, bisected by the Colorado River, and boasts an impressive array of ecosystems—riparian to boreal forest with desert scrub and woodlands in between—that climb the colorful canyon cliffs. Spend the day hiking, backpacking the waterfalls, rafting the Colorado on an overnight excursion, mule riding through the inner canyon or ponderosa pines of the North Rim.
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There’s even the opportunity to take a helicopter ride through the canyon for a bird’s-eye view of the two-billion-year-old expanse. You’ll feel infinitely tiny. Take a biking, taking guided tours, enjoying art exhibits, camping, riding the exclusive Grand Canyon railroad, perusing the museums, or going off-roading in a park Jeep.
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taking you to another level
COST
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It costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $20 per individual arriving on foot, bike or in a shuttle bus, and an annual pass is $60. Offers are available for commercialized tours.
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PETS
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Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village and throughout the developed areas.
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OPEN
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The South Rim is more easily accessible than the North Rim and as such is open year round. The North Rim has a short season and is almost always closed in the winter.
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FOOD SERVICES
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South Rim has more food services than you’ll ever need. So fear not. North Rim: Grand Canyon Lodge Dining, Grand cookout experience, Roughrider Salon, Deli in the Pines, and a camper store.
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MORE FACILITIES
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There is a health clinic, an animal kennel, child day care, a bank, a post office, computer access, laundry and shower facilities - the whole nine yards.
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SCENIC ROAD
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Enjoy the driving thorough the Desert Scenic Road which has 26 miles long, 20 miles in South Rim, 20 miles in the North Rim approximately 75 miles.
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TOURS
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There are more guided tours at the Grand Canyon than almost any other park. Pick your mode of transportation! Walk, bus, raft, mule, bike, jeep, van, air. Check in at the visitor center to choose which tour will be best for you.
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FAMOUS TRAILS
South Rim: South Kaibab Trail is trail that serves also as a mule route to Phantom Ranch. You can only reach the trailhead near Yaki Point by shuttle from the Visitors Center. (can go to Oh-ha point 1.8 miles about 1 hour), Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip) Tip-Off (4.5 miles down) or Skeleton Point (6 miles round trip and the first view you can get of the river. do not go past this point on a day hike) (Phantom Ranch (7.3 miles) 6 hours one way, average hiker, there is a bathroom at Cedar Ridge, can catch Bright Angel trail to hike out from there) . The return trip is steep and will take twice as long as it did going down,- make sure you have extra water and snacks to give you a boost. If you have a fear of heights you may want to reconsider choosing this trail - or challenge yourself with the reward of accomplishment and a stunning view from inside the canyon.
North Rim: Uncle Jim Point trail is a five mile loop beginning at the end of the North Kaibab parking lot.
View the switchbacks of the North Kaibab Trail, he Walhalla Plateau, Roaring Springs Canyon, Brahma and Deva Temples, the San Francisco Peaks. There is also a toilet that is open to the canyons side!
North Rim: Uncle Jim Point trail is a five mile loop beginning at the end of the North Kaibab parking lot.
View the switchbacks of the North Kaibab Trail, he Walhalla Plateau, Roaring Springs Canyon, Brahma and Deva Temples, the San Francisco Peaks. There is also a toilet that is open to the canyons side!
when to go
80F / 84F
May and October Driest months |
50F / 80F
Most likely: July, August, September |
30F / 35F
December to Mid-May Park Closed |
-10F / 30F
December - February Park Closed |
SOUTH RIM
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The majority of visitors explore the South Rim, with only 10% venturing to the more rugged and remote North Rim. The South Rim hosts Grand Canyon Village, a full-service historical town just outside park boundaries. Summers at Grand Canyon are extremely busy so be prepared. November to February is the least-busy times of year. If you plan on staying overnight in the park consider parking in Williams—a town 60 miles away—to take the railroad to the South Rim where there are several lodging options. Along the South Rim runs a paved road accessible only by the free shuttle, foot, or bicycle. Customize your hike along the rim by choosing to walk and ride between bus stops, gaining numerous stunning views of the canyon. At Hopi Point you can finally catch a glimpse of the Colorado River. If you’d prefer a long day hike without descending into the canyon, take the shuttle to Hermit’s Rest and hoof the eight miles back to the Village on a flat paved road. To get down into the canyon from the South Rim, hike (or ride a mule) the 7.3 miles of South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch and stay the night at the dormitory-style hiker cabins. For a shorter inner canyon hike, choose from these stops on the South Kaibab trail: Oh-ha point (1.8 miles,1 hour); Cedar Ridge, where there is a primitive toilet (3 miles, 2.5 hours); Tip-off (4.5 miles, 4-5 hours); or Skeleton Point (6 miles, a full-day hike). Skeleton Point offer the first view you can get of the river and the last stop doable in a day’s hike. The return trip is steep and will take twice as long as it did going down. In the summer, inner canyon temperatures soar above 100 degrees, making canyon hiking a dangerous endeavor. Annually, 250 people have to be rescued from the inner canyon due to ill-preparedness and misjudgment of their endurance. The South Rim is open all year. |
NORTH RIM
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The North Rim is for those who don’t need the hoopla of shops and touristy commotion. It also has more of a forested feel than its desert-like southern counterpart, making for a different experience in the canyon-dominated park. There is only one lodge, North Kaibab, so book in advance. Three restaurants and a camp store are available. A popular North Rim hike is Uncle Jim Point Trail. This five-mile loop begins at the end of the North Kaibab parking lot. View the switchbacks of the North Kaibab Trail, the Walhalla Plateau, Roaring Springs Canyon, and Brahma and Deva Temples. There is also a toilet with an open backside facing the canyon! The North Rim is closed during the winter.
GRAND CANYON WEST
The Skywalk - Glass Floor
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The Skywalk is a breathtaking experience. You will test your altitude fear! You will see yourself 70 feet (21m) from the canyon rim. To enjoy this famous attraction, you will pay to get inside the Hualapai Tribe reservation and also pay to walk in the Skywalk which cost is subject to change at anytime. The down side of it is that you are not allow to take pictures when on the Skywalk!
There are 2 ways to get there, one is getting a bus which Hualapai guide share their life style, and the other is driving. Be prepared for a long time out to the reservation. It is a desert and desolate road but the flowers, the Josua trees, and beautiful mountains are worth it. |
who may meet you here?
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INSPIRATIONAL
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The hunter-gatherer tribe Havasupai (translated as “people of the blue-green water”) are indigenous to the Grand Canyon, having claimed territory in and on the rim of the canyon for over 800 years—with one minor interruption. In 1882, President Arthur made the entire canyon area public land, effectively reducing the Havasupai’s inhabitable land to Cataract Canyon. The tribe rightfully fought the government to get their ancestral land back and in 1975 they finally won. A total of 278,000 acres was given back to them, 185,000 solely theirs and 93,000 overseen by the NPS but reserved for only Havasupai use only. Today the tribe is approximately 650 strong, residing mostly in their canyon floor city of Supai, earning their main income from the 20,000 tourists who visit the very remote town each year.
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who was behind the grand canyon ?
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President Roosevelt, a huge proponent of growing the national park system, was recorded as saying, "The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world…” He made the move to establish the land as a game preserve in 1906 and a national monument in 1909. It was Woodrow Wilson who signed in the Grand Canyon National Park Act in 1919 to create the 1,901-square-mile (4,926 sq km) park we know today.
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SAFETY
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