Grand Canyon Vacations GuideVisiting Grand Canyon, Arizona Should be on Everyone's Life List
The canyon's immensity and incredible palette of colors left us speechless.
Apparently we weren't the only ones as everyone around us stood quietly, gazing out over the vast, serene space before them. No matter how many photographs, movies and documentaries we've seen about Grand Canyon, Arizona, nothing could have prepared us for our first sight. The spectacular beauty and magic of the canyon has kept us coming back again and again. It's never the same way twice; the canyon is constantly changing with the light and the seasons, and it's so vast, there is always something new to explore. A Grand Canyon vacation should be on everyone's life list because there's nothing else like it in the world. The basic facts about Grand Canyon National Park are amazing.
The canyon is 227 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, encompassing a total area of over 1.2 million acres. The powerful Colorado River runs through the canyon, from its origins high in the mountains of Colorado to its final, dying tendrils, which no longer reach the Gulf of Baja California. During its centuries-long journey, the river sliced through the Grand Canyon's walls, helping expose a colorful variety of rock layers, some of which are over 1.7 billion years old — almost half as old as the Earth! Besides being a geologist's paradise, the Grand Canyon is home to a wonderful variety of plants and animals, including some found nowhere else. In spite of its harsh climate, the Southwest's native peoples, including the Navajo, Havasupai, and Hualapai, have long inhabited and traversed the canyon region. To the Hopi, it is the sacred place where the First People emerged into the world. The canyon's status as one of the most magnificent natural wonders on Earth inspires over 5 million people a year to take Grand Canyon vacations.
They are able to do so due to the years of effort and struggle by many dedicated people of all types who worked hard to protect this special place. Today, Grand Canyon National Park preserves the majority of the canyon within its boundaries. There are two sides to the park - the South Rim and the North Rim. Both are amazing, unique and worth visiting, and each is quite different.
The South Rim is lower in elevation and has more of a desert feel. This is the side that most people visit because it is easily accessible and is open year-round. The North Rim is off the beaten path and requires more time to reach. As a result, it's quieter and receives about only 10% of the total Grand Canyon tourism. This makes the North Rim perfect for those who'd like to take less crowded Grand Canyon vacations. Besides its awesome views, scenic, thick conifer and aspen forests, and broad meadows lie just beyond the edge of the North Rim. Its base elevation of 8,000 feet means that the North Rim is open only from mid-May to mid-October. The rest of the year, thick snow blankets this remote areas and it is only reachable by cross country skis. The list of Grand Canyon vacations options for where to stay and what to see is as big as the Grand Canyon itself.
So read on to discover some of our favorite Grand Canyon, Arizona spots. Grand Canyon Arizona Lodging
Tusayan Hotels near Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon may be vast, but the number of Grand Canyon hotels is not. So you'll need to make reservations well ahead of your visit. If you can't get lodging at the South Rim, hotels in the nearby town of Tusayan, Arizona are a good alternative...
South Rim Grand Canyon AZ Hotels Grand Canyon National Park lodging at the South Rim ranges from the grand El Tovar Hotel to the rustic Phantom Ranch nestled at the bottom of the canyon. They put you close to all the park's attractions but they fill up quickly. Read our tips for which lodge to try if you're booking last minute.
The historic El Tovar Hotel Grand Canyon is one of the jewels of the National Park lodges. It's also considered to be the finest hotel in the Grand Canyon region. Though this 1905 structure doesn't have all the amenities of modern hotels, it's still very popular and attracts guests from around the world.
If all of the hotels at the Grand Canyon and Tusayan are booked, consider staying at a hotel in Flagstaff. This mountain town has plenty of lodging options. It is about 80 miles southeast of the South Rim, making it close enough for a Grand Canyon day trip.
Grand Canyon North Rim Lodging Although it takes a longer to reach, staying at Grand Canyon North Rim lodging is worth the 5-hour drive from the South Rim. Here, you can stay in Western style lodges and cabins set at the rim or amid the forests and meadows of the spectacular Kaibab Plateau, 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. Grand Canyon Attractions
South Rim Grand Canyon Attractions Just seeing the canyon is worth the price of admission. But if you're looking for adventure during your Grand Canyon vacations, you'll have plenty of options including walking the Rim Trail, climbing the Desert View Tower or seeing ancient ruins.
The Grand Canyon IMAX® movie is one of the popular South Rim Grand Canyon activities, but it's not in Grand Canyon National Park. Find out about the IMAX® movie, ticket prices and if it's worth the price of admission.
North Rim Grand Canyon Tourism Attractions North Rim Grand Canyon vacations are overlooked by most travelers because it takes awhile to reach the North Rim. But it's worth it for the beautiful forests and meadows of the Kaibab Plateau, cooler temperatures, incredible canyon views and neat wildlife including bison and the Kaibab squirrel.
Immortalized in print and film, Brighty of the Grand Canyon is one of the fascinating and famous historical characters of the Canyon. Although this friendly burro has long been gone, you can still "see" him at the North Rim.
Scenic and rugged Toroweap offers the ultimate Grand Canyon vacations wilderness experience. You must be well-prepared, well-equipped and self-sufficient to visit, but the reward is spectacular views, no crowds and serene quiet in this remote corner of the Arizona Strip.
A Squirrel's View of the Grand Canyon What did a view of the Grand Canyon and a Grand Canyon squirrel teach us about vacationing? Watching a rock squirrel at the edge of the Grand Canyon Arizona not only gave us a memorable moment, it reminded us that travel is about more than just trip checklists. Grand Canyon Vacations Info
Where is the Grand Canyon? It isn’t in Nevada, as many people think. The Grand Canyon lies in the northwestern part of Arizona, more than 200 miles from Las Vegas...
Having the right maps is an essential part of safe and enjoyable Grand Canyon vacations. Download these free Grand Canyon maps from the National Park Service. We've also included a great National Geographic map and a virtual map that gives a mini-tour of the Grand Canyon. US National Parks Guide is your personal guide to all US National Parks. See National Parks photos, Find great hiking trails, Get reviews on parks, and get great deals on travel! Return to Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com Home Page from Grand Canyon Vacations Guide Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. |
