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Grand CanyonGrand CanyonImage:Grand-canyon-D7498.JPG|thumb|300px|Grand Canyon landscape. Located entirely in northern Arizona, the '''Grand Canyon''' is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are two ways to approach the Canyon: the remote '''North Rim''' and the more accessible (and therefore more crowded) '''South Rim'''. Both areas have several options for camping, as well as hotels and restaurants. Expect all of these facilities to be overflowing with visitors during the busy summer season. Fall, spring, and winter are all great times to visit the Grand Canyon. ==Understand== The Grand Canyon is a massive canyon carved over several million years by the Colorado River. With a total elevation change of more than 5,000 feet from the highest rim to the canyon bottom, the rock layers exposed in the canyon display almost two ''billion'' years of geologic history. The park was founded as Grand Canyon National Monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and became a national park in 1919. Today the park contains over 1.2 million acres, slightly less than the entire state of Delaware (state)|Delaware, and in 2004 received more than 4.3 million visitors. ==Get in== Image:Grand_canyon_area_map.gif|thumb|550px|Grand Canyon area map ===By car=== The majority of visitors to the park arrive on highway 64 from Flagstaff, located 80 miles south of the park. Visitors to the North Rim use highway Alt-89 to highway 67 (closed in winter). ===By bus=== Several commercial tour buses as well as Greyhound run from Flagstaff, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles to both rims. [http://www.greentortoise.com/canyons.of.the.west.html Green Tortoise] runs a tour of canyons of the American Southwest, including the Grand Canyon. ===By air=== There is a small airport located just outside of the South Rim entrance in the town of Tusayan, but most visitors will fly into the larger airports in Flagstaff, Phoenix, or Las Vegas. ===By railroad=== The Grand Canyon Railway operates a steam locomotive from the town of Williams to the Grand Canyon Village, within easy walking distance of accommodations. The train features restored Pullman cars and has a staged old west style shootout. ==Get around== All private vehicles entering the Grand Canyon must pay a $20 entrance fee, which is good for seven days. Individuals on foot or on a bike must pay a $10 entrance fee, also good for seven days. Those holding a National Park Pass ($50, good for one year) do not need to pay any entrance fee. Most of the views are reachable by car, park service shuttle, motorcoach tour or on foot. You can go into the canyon by horse (either outside of the National Park on the Havasupai reservation, or in the park if you get a permit to use your own stock: [http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/private_stock_use.htm www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/private_stock_use.htm]), mule, or on foot. During peak season the West Rim Drive is not accessible by private vehicles. The park service runs a tram during this time. The trams are frequent and convenient. Motorcoach tours are available year round. An independent shuttle service sometimes runs between the North and the South Rim. ==See== Image:Grand-canyon-watchtower-D4325.JPG|thumb|300px|The Watchtower. ===South Rim=== * '''Grand Canyon Village'''. Spectacular views, the trailhead of the Bright Angel Trail, historic buildings, and massive crowds. * '''Desert View'''. Prior to construction of the railroad depot in Grand Canyon Village, Desert View was the first glimpse of the canyon for most tourists. The historic Watchtower here is a must-see for many travelers and provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the canyon and Colorado River. ===North Rim=== Located only ten miles from the South Rim by air, the North Rim is a 215 mile drive from Grand Canyon Village. At 8,000 feet the elevation of the North Rim is approximately 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, and as a result features more coniferous trees and cooler temperatures. The roads to the North Rim are open only during the summer, and with far fewer visitors this area can be a great place to enjoy the peace and majesty of the canyon. ===Havasupai Indian Reservation=== The least visited portion of the canyon lies in the western portion of the park, north of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Entry into this remote portion of the park may require special fees and/or an Indian guide. Those venturing to the lower canyon are greeted by hidden waterfalls and views that only a handful of people see each year. ==Do== * '''Nature walks'''. Nearly all visitors take a stroll along portions of the rim trail to enjoy the magnificent views. * '''Hiking'''. Trails range in difficulty from fifteen minute loops to multi-day treks. * '''Ranger programs'''. Programs include historical and ecological talks, movies, and museums. * '''Motorcoach tours'''. * '''Mule rides'''. Trips into the canyon should be booked well in advance due to demand. * '''Grand Canyon Field Institute classes'''. [http://www.grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute]. * '''Star gazing'''. On your own (fantastic for meteor showers), or with the Grand Canyon Star Party every June. * '''Rafting trips'''. [http://www.nps.gov/grca/river/index.htm]. ==Buy== All types of tourist trinkets relating to the Grand Canyon, native American Indians, and the American Southwest are available in shops for miles in any direction from the Grand Canyon. The North Rim has only one shop for postcards, T-shirts, etc. The South Rim is overflowing with shopping options. ==Eat== ===South Rim=== *'''El Tovar Hotel Dining Room'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/58.htm]. Fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations accepted and recommended for dinner only. *'''Arizona Room'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/62.htm]. Located in Bright Angel Lodge. Dinner 4:30pm–10:00pm (open seasonally), lunch seasonally. *'''Bright Angel Restaurant'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/62.htm]. Located in Bright Angel Lodge. Informal dining, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. *'''Bright Angel Fountain'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/62.htm]. Located in Bright Angel Lodge. Sandwiches, ice cream and snacks (open seasonally). *'''Canyon Coffee House'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/62.htm]. Located in Bright Angel Lodge. Coffees and continental breakfast from 5:30am–10:00am (hours may vary seasonally). *'''Maswik Cafeteria'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/60.htm]. Located at Maswik Lodge International menu and grill items, made-to-order sandwiches; 6:00am–10:00pm (hours may vary seasonally). *'''Canyon Café'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/59.htm]. Located in Yavapai Lodge. Cafeteria style, grill, pizza and fast food items (open seasonally, hours vary). ===North Rim=== * '''Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room'''. Open daily, Mid-May through Mid-October (exact dates vary year to year), 6:30am-9:30pm. Wonderful food and an unrivaled view of the canyon. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner reservations required. $7-$25. * '''Cafe On The Rim'''. Serves cafeteria-style snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Veggie burgers, salads, sandwiches. $1-$10. * '''Coffee Saloon'''. Located in the Rough Rider Saloon. Coffee, bagels, and pasteries. 5:30am-10:30am. ==Drink== * '''El Tovar Lounge'''. South Rim in the El Tovar Hotel. Inside seating year round, patio seating overlooking the rim seasonally. * '''Bright Angel Bar'''. South Rim in the Bright Angel Lodge. Live entertainment seasonally. * '''Maswik Sports Bar'''. South Rim in Maswik Lodge. Pool table, darts, big-screen TV and more. * '''Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room'''. North Rim. Serves cocktails. * '''Rough Rider Saloon'''. North Rim. ==Sleep== There are a variety of hotels, lodges, and campgrounds both inside and outside of the park on both the North and South Rims. ===Camping=== Campgrounds are located at both the North and South Rims. Reservations are highly recommended, especially at the busier South Rim. * '''Mather Campground''' (Year round). Located in Grand Canyon Village, this campground offers sites suitable for camping and RVs (no hookups). Facilities include water and flush toilets. Costs are $15/night from April through November, $10/night from December through March. Reservations can be made at [http://reservations.nps.gov/ reservations.nps.gov] or by calling (800) 365-2267. * '''Trailer Village''' (Year round). Located adjacent to Mather Campground, this campground offers RV sites with hookups. Costs are $25/night for two people, and $2 for each additional person. Reservations can be made by calling (888) 297-2757. * '''Desert View Campground''' (May - October). Located 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village, this campground offers tent and RV sites (no hookups). Costs are $10/night. All sites are first-come, first-served. * '''North Rim Campground''' (May - October). Located along the North Rim, this campground offers sites suitable for camping and RVs (no hookups). Facilities include water and flush toilets. Costs are $15-$20/night. Reservations can be made at [http://reservations.nps.gov/ reservations.nps.gov] or by calling (800) 365-2267. * '''Ten-X Campground''' (April - September). Located outside of the park, two miles south of Tusayan, this campground is operated by the forest service. Facilities include water and pit toilets. Costs are $10/night. All sites are first-come, first-served. * '''Jacob Lake Campground''' (Summer only). Located outside of the park, 45 miles north of the North Rim, this campground is operated by the forest service. Costs are $12/night. All sites are first-come, first-served. Any backcountry camping requires a permit, which can be obtained at the ranger stations. There is limited water available within the canyon, so backpackers should plan on carrying sufficient water with them. Outside of the park, '''Kaibab National Forest''' has numerous undeveloped campsites. Since these sites are ''undeveloped'' be prepared to bring in (and out) everything that you'll need. ===Hotels=== ====South Rim==== *'''El Tovar Hotel'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/24.htm]. Historic full service hotel on the rim, refurbished in 2005, open year round. *'''Kachina Lodge''' and '''Thunderbird Lodge'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/26.htm]. Rim lodges renovated in 2004, open year round. *'''Bright Angel Lodge'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/25.htm]. Historic Lodge at the rim, made up of cabins and lodge rooms ranging from some with a bath down the hall to a suite. Open year round. *'''Maswik Lodge'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/27.htm]. Motel style accommodations approx. 1/4 mile from the rim, open year round. Also has cabin accommodations open in the summer. *'''Yavapai Lodge'''. [http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/static/28.htm]. Motel style accommodations approx. 1/2 mile from the rim, near the NPS Visitor Center. East section renovated 2003. Open seasonally. ====North Rim==== *'''Grand Canyon Lodge'''. [http://www.grandcanyonnorthrim.com]. Offers a variety of cabins and motel style accommodations. ====Inner Canyon==== *'''Phantom Ranch''' is made up of cabins and dormitories (segregated by gender) with a dining hall. All Phantom Ranch accommodations and meals require advance reservations. There is no cooking allowed in the cabins or dorms, and guests without a meal reservation are not allowed in the dining hall at mealtimes. Recommendation is that if you don't want to pack in your own food, you reserve meals at the same time you reserve your bunk or cabin. Guests should check in at the Bright Angel Lodge Transportation desk before hiking down to Phantom Ranch, and can do so a day in advance of their hike. ====Outside of the park==== The alternative is to stay in one of the hotels in Tusayan, at the base of the park, and to drive up to the Canyon. This is sometimes more expensive, as the Park Service controls how high the rates can go inside of the park, but the hotels outside of the park have no such restrictions, and can charge what the market can bear. There is also the disadvantage of being about half an hour from the Canyon edge. ==Stay safe== ''Do not attempt to hike to the bottom of the canyon and back in one day.'' Hundreds of hikers each year have to be rescued from the Inner Canyon due to '''exhaustion''' and '''dehydration'''. While the temperature on the canyon rim is cool due to its elevation, below the rim it can be very hot. The vertical distance to the bottom is about 1500m - that's '''1.5 kilometers''' of vertical distance alone to climb back out. Remember that it is the opposite to climbing 1500m up a mountain. On a mountain climb you can stop and turn back when you get tired, knowing the the descent will be much easier. The canyon is a seducer - it feels ok hiking down into the canyon but when you come back up you find that you have over-extended yourself. The bottom of the canyon may be half-way in terms of distance, but in terms of exertion you have only just started. If you go to the bottom of the canyon, ''spend the night'', and take enough food, water, shelter, and other backcountry camping equipment to keep yourself safe and sound. If you don't have the equipment, don't go.'' Even for short walks into the canyon you must remember that it will be much harder going back up. Do not keep going until you feel tired. You need to stop well before that to be sure you can get out ok. For more information: [http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/tips.htm NPS back-country tips] and [http://www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/smart.htm NPS smart hiking]. ==External links== *[http://www.nps.gov/grca/ Official National Park Service site, covering North Rim, South Rim, River, Inner Canyon, Backcountry, etc.] *[http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/ Official South Rim concessionaire] *[http://www.grandcanyonnorthrim.com/ Official North Rim concessionaire] fr:Grand Canyon WikiPedia:Grand Canyon Dmoz:North_America/United_States/Arizona/Travel_and_Tourism/Parks/National_Parks_and_Monuments/Grand_Canyon_National_Park/ First page | Prev | Next | Last page |
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