Grand Canyon National Park
November 23, 2009 by Travel Guide Greg
Filed under Travel Guides
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that you have to see in person. Pictures will never do it justice.
Descriptions will tell you that it is a great chasm carved over the millennium… the Colorado River slicing away at the Colorado Plateau. People will tell you that it has awe-inspiring views. Vacationers and holiday makers will tell you it’s a great place to hike or ride the rapids.
All of that is true… but you have to see it. An amazing fact we heard from a ranger once is that a typical stay in the park lasts five to seven hours, and most visitors stay at the rim of the Grand Canyon for less than an hour. (We’ve even heard less than 20 minutes!) How can you do that?
I guess maybe many of those short term visitors take day trips from Las Vegas… maybe even have a stop at the Skywalk on the way. You can do that and say you’ve seen the Grand Canyon, but to really see it… you need to savor it…, take your time.
Sit and watch the way colors change from reds to purples during different times of the day. Watch the clouds cast ever changing shadows on the plateaus and pinnacles.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited area and the most accessible. It is open 365 days a year. It’s the South Rim that we will talk about here. Services and accommodations are available year round. Visitor services are only available on the North Rim from mid-May to mid-October.
Stay at one of the lodges in the National Park if you can. There are several to choose from, and they range from the historic El Tovar on the rim to more modern motel-like lodges. The rustic Bright Angel Lodge is also only a few feet from the rim.
You can easily walk around all day to explore and catch the free shuttles to different overlooks when you want to change the view. There are campgrounds available on the south rim.
Hike into the canyon. You can hike part way down the Bright Angel Trail for the day. An alternative is to hike part way down the South Kaibab Trail… markers along the side of the trail tell you how many millions of years old the rocks around you are! Even a day hike below the rim is awe inspiring.
Reservations for wilderness permits are required for overnight camping stays inside the canyon. There are campgrounds available on the floor of the canyon with that reservation and back country permit. Permits are popular and should be applied for well in advance, though a small number of permits may be available once you arrive.
The Park Service says that persons arriving without permits may put their names on a waiting list for cancellations. You must pack your food in. There is some food available on the canyon floor at Phantom Ranch.
There are also overnight mule trips into the Canyon with stays at the Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging facility below the canyon rim, and it is run by the National Park Service. There are dormitory type rooms and rustic cabins. Food is also available at the canteen.
So go see the Grand Canyon in person…. but spend more than 20 minutes! Spend a night or two and enjoy one of the world’s great natural wonders!
The South Rim of Arizona’s Grand Canyon is expensive and overcrowded, and there is usually a shortage of parking and accommodation, but that of course doesn’t matter as the canyon is the most famous natural attraction in the USA and possibly in the world.
My vote is to take the overnight Mule ride down the Canyon. A great way to really take it all in. read more about the Grand Canyon at http://www.sightseeingreview.com/grandcanyonvacations.php