Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon

No matter how many photos you’ve seen of the Grand Canyon, standing at the rim’s edge for the very first time will take your breath away– particularly if you’re there at sundown, as the fading light paints shades of rose, violet, and gold onto the ancient rocks. But preparing a trip to the Grand Canyon needs more than just booking a hotel and packaging your camera.

Preparation a Journey to the Grand Canyon

When should you travel to prevent the heaviest crowds and the most intense heat? Should you check out the North Rim or the South Rim? Where’s the best place to stay? For answers to these concerns and more, check out the following ideas for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.

South Rim vs. North Rim vs. Grand Canyon West

Grand Canyon National forest is divided into 2 sections: the South Rim and the North Rim, situated more than four hours apart by automobile. Then there’s Grand Canyon West, situated on the Hualapai Native American Appointment, 4 hours from the South Rim and almost seven hours from the North Rim. If you’re preparing a journey to the Grand Canyon and your time is restricted, where should you go?

The South Rim is the most gone to part of the Grand Canyon for a factor. It has more perspectives than the North Rim, with more expansive views of the canyon’s depth, in addition to a wider series of lodging options and other visitor services. It likewise has a lot of hiking routes and activities like river rafting and mule flights. If you’re searching for classic Grand Canyon views, this is the place to go.

Popular with hikers and photographers, the North Rim is the South Rim’s quieter, more heavily forested cousin. While the views may be less incredible, lots of tourists prefer the North Rim for its undisturbed wildlife and pristine trails.

The crucial draw at Grand Canyon West is the Skywalk, a glass bridge that extends 70 feet over the canyon for dizzying views on all sides– consisting of right under your feet. (Important note: The Skywalk does not allow cameras or phones. Professional photos are offered for sale.) This isn’t the very best bet for passionate hikers, as there are just 2 (reasonably easy) tracks here, but other activities include zip-lining, pontoon boat rides, and exploring a Native American town. Grand Canyon West is the closest part of the canyon to Las Vegas, making it a convenient, however long, excursion.

Keep In Mind that due to the fact that Grand Canyon West is located on Native American land, it requires a different entry cost than the North and South Rims, which are administered by the National forest Service.

When to Visit the Grand Canyon

When preparing a trip to the Grand Canyon, consider checking out the South Rim whenever besides summertime– specifically if you’re intending to trek all the method down to the bottom of the canyon, where temperature levels can skyrocket above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August. Summer season is also the busiest season; lodging in the park is costly and sells out rapidly, and viewpoints along the rim can be jammed with crowds.

The South Rim is open throughout the year, and you’ll discover pleasant temperature levels and smaller crowds in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall). Even a winter visit can be satisfying; wrap and delight in the sight of the canyon cleaned with snow.

Thanks to its higher altitude, the North Rim has a cooler environment and is closed between mid-October and mid-May. Luckily, this part of the park sees less visitors and isn’t normally crowded even during the summer season high season. Think about visiting in the fall, when the Kaibab National Forest appears in vibrant colors.

Getting to the Grand Canyon

The majority of visitors to the Grand Canyon fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix. There’s also a small airport in Flagstaff, just an hour from the South Rim, and some North Rim tourists fly into Salt Lake City. No matter where you land you’ll require to lease an automobile, as public transit is incredibly limited in this part of the U.S.

Once you get to the Grand Canyon, you might require to park your automobile and take a shuttle to navigate. Grand Canyon West is closed to private automobiles and operates a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus around the park, while specific parts of the South Rim are just available by bus. A shuttle bus service makes the 4.5-hour trip between the North and South Rims; it’s particularly useful for rim-to-rim hikers. The North Rim is fully open to personal automobiles.

One enjoyable alternative way to reach the South Rim is via the Grand Canyon Railway, which ranges from the town of Williams, Arizona, into the heart of the park, permitting for a half-day of checking out prior to returning in the afternoon.

Grand Canyon Lodging

The most practical Grand Canyon lodging alternatives are within the national forest or Grand Canyon West rather than in close-by towns, however these alternatives tend to schedule up quickly– often months ahead of time. When planning a journey to the Canyon, reserve your lodgings first.

The South Rim section of Grand Canyon National forest is house to half a dozen lodges, including the age-old El Tovar, which goes back to 1905 and has actually hosted previous presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Expense Clinton. Another alternative is the Brilliant Angel Lodge, positioned at the top of the park’s most popular path. There’s likewise a Recreational Vehicle park near the main visitor center, along with 2 camping areas.

If you can’t find accommodations within the South Rim section of the park, there’s a handful of options in neighboring Tusayan, in addition to lots of hotels (mainly chain motels) in Williams and Flagstaff, each a little more than an hour from the park entryway gates.

The North Rim has simply 2 locations to remain inside the park: the Grand Canyon Lodge, which uses motel spaces and cabins, and the North Rim Campground. If these are scheduled, think about the Jacob Lake Inn, 45 miles away, or head farther afield to Kanab, Utah, or Page, Arizona.

The most special place to stay at Grand Canyon National Park is Phantom Cattle ranch, located on the canyon flooring. The only ways to arrive are to trek or ride a mule down.

If you want to stay overnight within Grand Canyon West, you can book a cabin at Hualapai Cattle ranch; each one features a front porch where you can relax and enjoy the desert views.