However many photos you have seen of this Grand Canyon, standing in the rim’s edge for the first time will take your breath away–particularly if you’re there at sunset, as the fading light paints shades of rose, violet, and gold onto the ancient rocks. But planning a trip needs booking a resort and packing your camera.
Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon
When should you travel to avoid the audiences and the heat that is intense? If You visit the South Rim or the North Rim? Where’s the best place? Read the following advice for arranging a visit.
South Rim vs. North Rim vs. Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon National Park is split into two segments: the South Rim and the North Rim, located more than four hours apart by car. Then there’s Grand Canyon West, located on the Hualapai Native American Reservation, four hours in the South Rim and almost seven hours from the North Rim. If you are planning a trip and your time is limited, where if you proceed?
The South Rim is the part of the Grand Canyon for a reason. It’s more views than the North Rim, using more expansive views of the canyon’s thickness, in addition to a broader selection of accommodation options and other guest services. Additionally, it has lots of hiking trails and activities like river rafting and mule rides. If you’re searching for Grand Canyon views that are classic, this is the place to go.
Popular with hikers and photographers, the North Rim is the South Rim’s quieter, more heavily manicured cousin. While the views may be less spectacular, many travelers favor the North Rim for its undisturbed wildlife and pristine trails. See Hoofing It Away Grand Canyon’s North Rim to Find out More.
The key draw at Grand Canyon West is that the Skywalk, a glass bridge which extends 70 feet over the canyon to get dizzying views on all sides–such as right under your feet. (Worth noting: The Skywalk does not permit cameras or phones. Professional photographs are offered for sale.) This is not the best option for avid walkers, because there are two (relatively easy) trails here. Grand Canyon West is the nearest portion of the canyon to Las Vegas, making it a suitable, though long, day trip.
Note that since Grand Canyon West is located on Native American property, it takes a separate entry fee compared to the North and South Rims, which can be administered by the National Park Service.
When to Visit the Grand Canyon
When planning a visit to the Grand Canyon, think about visiting the South Rim anytime aside from summer–particularly if you’re expecting to hike all of the way down to the base of the canyon, where temperatures can soar over 100 degrees in July and August. Summer is also the busiest time of year; accommodation at the park is more expensive (if not sold out entirely) and viewpoints along the rim could be jammed with audiences.
The South Rim is open all year round, and you’ll find nice temperatures and smaller crowds in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall). Even a winter trip can be rewarding; bundle up and enjoy the sight of the canyon dusted with snow.
As a result of its high altitude, the North Rim has a cooler climate and is shut between mid-October and mid-May. Fortunately, this region of the park sees fewer visitors and is not usually crowded even during the summer high season. Consider visiting in the fall, when the Kaibab National Forest participates in vibrant colors.
Grand Canyon West, open year-round, is less crowded outside the summertime.
Getting to the Grand Canyon
Most visitors to the Grand Canyon fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix. There is also a small airport at Flagstaff, just an hour from the South Rim, and a few North Rim travelers fly into Salt Lake City. No matter where you land you’ll need to rent a vehicle, as public transit is extremely limited in this component of the U.S.
As soon as you arrive in the Grand Canyon, you might need to park your vehicle and have a shuttle bus to avoid. Grand Canyon West is closed to private vehicles and operates a hop-on, hop-off shuttle round the playground, while certain areas of the South Rim are only accessible by bus. A shuttle service makes the 4.5-hour excursion between the North and South Rims; it’s especially handy for rim-to-rim hikers. The North Rim is fully open to private vehicles.
One fun alternative way to arrive at the South Rim is through the Grand Canyon Railway, which runs in the town of Williams, Arizona, in the heart of the park, allowing to get a siphoned of researching before coming in late afternoon.
Grand Canyon Lodging
The most convenient Grand Canyon lodging options are within the park or Grand Canyon West rather than in neighboring cities, but these choices tend to book up quickly–sometimes months beforehand. When planning a trip to the Canyon, reserve your accommodations first.
The South Rim part of Grand Canyon National Park is currently home to half a dozen lodges, including the venerable El Tovar, which dates back to 1905 and has hosted former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. A more affordable option is that the Bright Angel Lodge, located on top of the park’s most popular trail. There’s also an RV park near the primary visitor centre, as well as two campgrounds.
If you can’t find lodging inside the South Rim section of this park, there is a couple of options in neighboring Tusayan, in addition to dozens of hotels (mostly chain motels) in Williams and Flagstaff, each slightly more than one hour from the park entrance gates.
The North Rim has just two places to remain within the park: the Grand Canyon Lodge, which offers motel rooms and cottages, and the North Rim Campground. If these are reserved, consider that the Jacob Lake Inn, 45 miles away, or head farther afield to Kanab, Utah, or Page, Arizona.
The most unique place to stay at Grand Canyon National Park is Phantom Ranch, situated on the canyon floor. The only means to make there are to increase or ride a mule down.
If you want to stay overnight within Grand Canyon West, you can reserve a cabin in Hualapai Ranch; every one includes a front porch where you can relax and look out over the canyon.
Grand Canyon Hikes
When planning a visit to the Grand Canyon, leave time for a hike or two.
The Easiest walk in Grand Canyon National Park is that the Rim Trail, which stretches for 13–largely flat–kilometers along the top of the South Rim. Much of it’s paved and wheelchair-accessible, and you also are able to enter and depart the trail at any point.
If your fitness allows, try to increase at least portion of the way to the Grand Canyon; you’ll find a very different view than you do in the top.
The very popular South Rim trail into the canyon is the Bright Angel Trail, which will be well preserved and offers some shade along the way. Another fantastic solution is that the South Kaibab Trail–it’s a bit steeper and contains less shade, but boasts slightly more dramatic views if you are just doing a part of the road. While these two trails go all the way to the bottom, you can easily transform every one of them into a day increase by turning around at one of the mile markers and going back the way you came.
The North Rim provides a number of day hikes that range from less than a mile to about 10 miles round-trip. It is possible to hike into the canyon from the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail and back from the canyon via one of the paths on the South Rim (or vice versa); this can be recommended just for healthy, seasoned hikers.
For information on most of the trails listed above, find out the day hiking advice page on NPS.gov.
The National Park Service strongly recommends against hiking down to the river and back in one day, even when you’re a veteran hiker. Rather, aim to overnight at Phantom Ranch or among many backcountry campgrounds within the canyon. To Find out More about hiking to the lake and back, see Grand Canyon: Secrets of the South Rim and Phantom Ranch.
Remember that it usually takes two times as long to return up the road as it does to return, which temperatures in the bottom of the canyon could be around 20 degrees higher than those in the top. Hundreds of hikers are rescued each year from the canyon due to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or injury.
Grand Canyon West offers just two hiking paths, one simple and one medium, and one goes into the canyon.
One intriguing hike to take into account is the 10-mile (each way) track to Havasu Falls, the famous turquoise cascade you’ve likely seen on your Instagram feed. It’s situated on Native American territory between the South Rim and Grand Canyon West.
Mule Rides, Rafting Trips, and Helicopter Tours
When planning a visit to the Grand Canyon, don’t forget about other activities besides hiking, like riding a mule into the canyon. (Why a cop? They are more sure-footed than horses.)
From the South Rim you can ride a mule into the Colorado River and spend a night or two at Phantom Ranch. (Watch GrandCanyonLodges.com.) From the North Rim it is possible to take one- or – three-hour rides across the rim or part of the way into the canyon. (See CanyonRides.com.) Book as far in advance as possible to assure yourself a place.
Dreaming of rafting the Colorado River? You can take a guided trip in the park with options from a half-day to more than fourteen days, or plan your trip with a permit from the National Park Service. To plan an individual- or two-day rafting excursion at Grand Canyon West, visit GrandCanyonWest.com.
Finally, one of the ways to look at the Grand Canyon is by the air. Quite a few businesses operate helicopter tours across the globe, such as Canyon Tours and Papillon.
General Grand Canyon Travel Tips
Whenever you arrive, stop by the visitor center–especially if you have little time. Park rangers will help design an itinerary to make the most of your visit, suggest lifts to fit your fitness level, and recommend the best viewpoints for sunset or sunrise.
The desert heat can be deadly, so hikers should pack plenty of water in addition to salty snacks. Bring a reusable jar which you can fill up at water stations situated through the park. Start hiking early in the morning to avoid the midday sunlight. If you get a headache or begin to feel dizzy or sick to your stomach, stop to rest and rehydrate.
The South Rim is located at 7,000 feet above sea level, along with the North Rim is at nearly 8,300 ft. Some travelers may experience tiredness, headaches, or other symptoms of altitude illness.
Stick to the road. Not only does this protect the landscape, but it also protects you. Various tourists have died after falling from the rim of this canyon.
The most crowded viewpoints at the South Rim are those nearest the parking lots and bus stops. To prevent getting a hundred additional individuals in every photograph, walk along the Rim Trail in either direction. Often you may snap fantastic shots across the road or find your way to a less congested viewpoint.
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