grand canyon national park
Arizona, USA is home to the Grand Canyon, a huge natural wonder. At about 5 million visitors a year, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the country.
A huge and beautiful landscape, the Grand Canyon was created millions of years ago as the Colorado River carved through the layers of rock. Although certain rocks in the Grand Canyon date as far back as two billion years, its estimated age is between five and six million years.
Hiking, rafting, camping, and breathtaking rim drives are just a few of the activities that await visitors visiting the Grand Canyon.
BASIC FACTS ON GRAND CANYON
LOCATION: Arizona
SIZE: 1.22 million acres (493,059 hectares).
FOUNDED: February 26, 1919
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring (March-May) & Fall (September-November)
HOW MANY DAYS: 2-3 DAYS
ROAD TRIP SUGGESTION: ARIZONA ROAD TRIP (7-Day Itinerary OR 8-Day Itinerary OR 9-Day Itinerary OR 10-Day Itinerary); AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP (5-Day Itinerary OR 7-Day Itinerary OR 10-Day Itinerary OR 14-Day Itinerary)
NOTE: Reservations might be required to enter the park during peak seasons and you might need additional info about the park in order to have a smooth travel. Please VISIT HERE for latest information about the park.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Go for South Rim Scenic Drives on Desert View Drive and stop at the viewpoints along the way. Enjoy breath-taking vistas of the canyon from well-known overlooks on the South Rim, like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Hopi Point and plus other developed viewpoints, picnic areas and other unmarked pullouts, along the 23 miles road which starts near the village and ends at Desert View Services Area (Desert View Watchtower where you can get expansive views of the Grand Canyon by ascending the 85 steps to the summit of the Desert View Watchtower; over 100 miles on clear days).
Go Hiking. Explore the Grand Canyon’s trails, which range from short rim walks to strenuous excursions into the canyon. The Rim Trail, Trail of Time Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Trail, and the strenuous Rim-to-Rim Trail are a few of the famous hiking trails at the park.
Experience sunrise and/or sunset. For breathtaking vistas and picture ops, watch the sunrise and/or sunset over the canyon. Yavapai Point, Hopi Point, and Mather Point are a few well-liked locations for sunrise and sunset views, and /or for sunrise, hike the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point or visit Grandview Point for sunrise experience and photos ops.
Ride a mule or horse. Take a mule or horse ride into the canyon or along its rim to see the Grand Canyon from a new angle. It is advised to make reservations in ahead.
River Rafting. Take off on an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure along the Colorado River for a one-of-a-kind perspective of the canyon’s impressive walls and breathtaking rock formations. You could either do Commercial River Trips where professionals will guide you down the river or Noncommercial River Trips where you have to get permits to raft on your own.
Helicopter Tours. Take a helicopter tour above the Grand Canyon to see its immense breadth from above and gain a bird’s-eye perspective. NOTE: For the greatest light and views, schedule your tour for closer to sunrise or sunset. Also, the flights depart directly from the South Rim and last between thirty and forty-five minutes. Flying from Las Vegas to the South Rim is another option, although these excursions are very expensive.
Photography. Whether you’re a beginner or expert photographer, make sure to capture the splendor of the Grand Canyon on camera. A plethora of breathtaking photo opportunities emerge from the canyon’s constantly shifting light and shadows.
Visitor Centers and Museums. Visitor centers and museums throughout the park include exhibits, ranger programs, and educational opportunities for learning about the geology, history, and wildlife of the Grand Canyon. If you want to know more about the rocks that you see in the canyon, the Yavapai Geology Museum is an excellent resource. They offer a museum store, a bookstore, and panoramic windows with exhibits.
Visit Grand Canyon West Rim on Hualapai Tribal Land. The easiest way to see the Grand Canyon is from Grand Canyon West, which is also the closest to Las Vegas and ideal if you’re short on time.
- Experience Grand Canyon Skywalk: You get a special chance to walk over the canyon via the glass bridge. But remember that you are not allowed to bring your phone or any other photography equipment over the bridge. To get pictures shot by official photographers, there is a different line. NOTE: Be prepared, in the summer, on weekends and holidays, lines can stretch for several hours.
- Hike Guano Point Trail: A quick and enjoyable climb that offers 360-degree views of the canyon. This is where you can take pictures while creating the optical illusion that you are at the edge of a cliff.
Visit Grand Canyon North Rim: The North Rim may only sit 15 miles away from the South Rim but it takes 4 hours to drive here.
- Venture to Toroweap Overlook: This overlook is away from the crowd and offers dramatic panoramas three thousand feet over the Colorado River with stunning vista of volcanic cinder cones and a precipitous drop-off. There are nine modest campsites here, if you are considering camping here and want to see the sunrise. NOTE: To get here, your car must have high clearance. Also, there are no amenities in the area, so be prepared with food, water, and supplies.
- Visit Cape Royal Point: Go here to enjoy expansive vistas of the Grand Canyon.
- Hike North Rim’s Bright Angel Point Trail: The paved trail climbs 200 feet in 0.25 miles to the lookout, which offers a panorama of the canyon from almost 8,1000 feet above sea level.
- Visit Point Imperial: With an elevation of 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest overlook on the North Rim. Moreover, it’s the northernmost overlook, offering you a singular view of the canyon where the cliffs are quite close together (less than a mile apart).
MORE ON GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
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