Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

No other destination in the National Park System is as instantly recognizable as Grand Canyon. Definitely one of the “must sees” in the system, this park offers a variety of activities depending on your adventure level.

Are We There Yet?

Grand Canyon National Park is located off Route 180 about 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff or off Route 64 from I-40 from Williams 60 miles north of the park.

Once you’re in the park, you can take advantage of free shuttle service from mid-March through mid-October. The shuttle moves vacationers from the Grand Canyon Village along West Rim Drive (which is closed to private auto traffic during peak months). There’s also a shuttle between the North Rim and South Rim; for information and prices contact Trans Canyon Shuttle, Tel. 928/638-2820.

What’s There To Do Here?

Start your visit with a stop at the visitors center on the South Rim, located near Grand Canyon Village to learn more about the creation of this spectacular canyon. The Grand Canyon invites long looks out at the canyon from both the North and South Rims. You’ll find many scenic overlooks and one of the best activities is just to look out at the canyon. Watch children carefully at these overlooks, however; drops can be sheer. Other activities include:

Ranger programs. Interpretive programs for all ages are led daily during peak season. Programs are free; to learn times and subjects check the park newspaper you’ll get at the park entrance.

Mule Rides. A fun (though bumpy!) way to explore the canyon is with a full or half day ride by mule. From the North Rim you can take a full or half day trip (from the South Rim you can book a one day or a two-day trip). These don’t go all the way to the bottom of the canyon but give you a sense of exploring the region. For reservations, call Grand Canyon Trail Rides, Tel. 435/679-8665.(Check on the status of mule rides on the South Rim; due to road conditions, rides had been temporarily

Overnight Mule Trips. From the South Rim you can take a two-day, one-night trip down into the Canyon to see the Colorado River. You’ll spend the night at Phantom Ranch below the rim. Reservations are a must for these excursions; you can Xanterra Parks and Resorts , Tel. 303/297-2757, up to 11 months in advance. Only families with older children can take one of these trips, however: all rides must be over 4 feet 7 inches tall (and less than 200 pounds). Also, pregnant vacationers, look elsewhere for activities.

Flightseeing. Air tours are conducted for a true bird’s eye view of the canyon. For details, contact

Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 3007, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023.
Bus Tours. If you’d like to take a guided bus tour to let someone else do the driving for a while, call 303/297-2757 or write AmFac Parks & Resorts, 14001 E. Iliff, Aurora, CO 80014.

When Are We Going?

If you are like millions of other travelers, you’ll be visiting this park from April through October. One of the most popular sites in the park system, Grand Canyon sees five million visitors a year so be prepared for crowds during summer months. Even in off peak months, you’ll find crowds on some weekends.

The summer months are beautiful at the canyon, with temperate days that can even be downright chilly thanks to the elevation. Bring layers any time of year. If you visit during the winter, expect snow (and don’t be surprised to see snow on the North Rim during fall and spring months as well.)

How Long Are We Staying?

We’d really recommend an overnight visit if at all possible and more than one night certainly won’t be a waste. You can do the park as a day visitor but because of crowds and limited parking you’ll want to get here very early if you don’t plan to spend the night.

What Should I Bring?
Your packing list will reflect the activities you choose. At the very least, bring layers of clothing including a jacket even during summer months since evenings can get nippy. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are important. Good shoes with non-slip soles are a must-have. If you will be taking a pack trip on a mule, be sure to bring long pants.

What Are We Doing Next?

A popular addition to the Grand Canyon experience is the Grand Canyon IMAX theater. The theater is located in the town of Tusayan and features the "Grand Canyon—Hidden Secrets, " 35 minutes in length.

Time has never revealed the mystery behind the Anasazi's disappearance, but the villages of "the ancient ones" are still standing as a testament to their existence at the Navajo National Monument in Tonalea. At the visitors center there are artifacts and two videos which illustrate both the beauty of the land and its people.

Throughout the summer months there are demonstrations of Native American crafts such as silversmithing and basket weaving. \ Learn about the plants once used by the indigenous people of the area as you walk the trail which lead from the visitors center to the Betatakin cliff dwelling. Three to four-hour free guided tours are also available, weather permitting.

Children will enjoy the Junior Ranger program, which educates youngsters on the lives of Native Americans through storytelling, nature walks, and learning how to paint a Navajo design. For more information on this national park, write Navajo National Monument, HC-71, Box 3, Tonalea, AZ 86044-9704 or call 928/672-2700. 

More dwellings left behind by The Ancient Ones can be found at Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Chinle, Arizona. To journey past the White House ruins requires either a park ranger or an authorized guide from Thunderbird Lodge. Run by members of the Navajo nation, this 73 room lodge offers half day and full day jeep trips to the cliff dwellings, which were erected between AD 350 and 1300. The lodge also offers authentic Navajo cuisine (continental meals are also available) and a gift shop filled with Native American crafts. To receive further information about Canyon de Chelly National Monument write to PO Box 588, Chinle, AZ 86503 or call 928/674-5500. For more information on Thunderbird Lodge call 1-800-679-2473.

Which One Is My Room?

Okay, before we even start to talk about your lodging options we’re going to give you a word of advice: make your reservations early! With five million visitors a year, you can bet that every campsite and lodge room books up. Paris remembers traveling to Grand Canyon with her parents as a child and the family booking a lodge room once they arrived. That was years ago (we won’t say how many) and today’s travelers don’t often have that kind of luck. Make your plans early.

Here are your options for the South Rim. Each of these accommodations are handled by Grand Canyon National Park Lodges. For reservations at any of these properties, call 303/297-2757, fax 303/297-3175, or write Xanterra Parks and Resorts, 14001 E. Iliff, Aurora, CO 80014.

El Tovar. This is one of the most famous lodges in the national park system, perched right on the South Rim. The lodge was built in 1905 by the Santa Fe Railroad and is worth a visit even if you aren’t staying here.

Bright Angel Lodge. Built in 1935, this lodge has hotel rooms as well as cabins, all built in a rustic style. Don’t miss the fireplace in the lodge, constructed of rocks that represent each of the geologic periods at the park.

Kachina and Thunderbird Lodges. These lodges are modern and located on the South Rim near El Tovar. Both lodges are identical.

Maswik Lodge. This lodge offers modern rooms similar to a motel. You can choose from motel rooms or cabins (which are closed during the winter season). This lodge is a good choice for those with an eye on the budget.
 

Yavapai Lodge. This lodge is the largest in the park and offers motel-like accommodations. It’s not on the rim but you can walk to the South Rim from your room. It’s also near the visitors center as well as the general store and other facilities in Grand Canyon Village.

Phantom Ranch. This lodge is below the canyon rim and offers cabins and dormitory accommodations.
The North Rim also offers accommodations during the season, including:

Grand Canyon Lodge. This lodge is right on the rim at Bright Angel Point and offers motel-like accommodations and cabins. The lodge was built in the 1920s features huge windows that overlook the canyon.

You’ll also find lodging outside the park in the communities of Williams (60 miles away) and Flagstaff (80 miles away). For information and reservations at Williams, call Tel. 800/863-0546, and for Flagstaff call 928/774-4505.

Another option is camping on the South Rim. The campsites take reservations up to three months in advance. Campsites run between $15 and $20 during peak months Write to Grand Canyon National Park, Backcountry Information Center, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 or fax your request to 928/638-2125. You'll pay $10 for the permit and $5 per night per person.

Practical Information

Address: Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Telephone: 928/638-7888
Operating Season: South Rim open year around; North Rim open mid-May to late October
Hours: 24 hours daily
Cost: $20 per car
Website: www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Did You Know.....?

 Nearly five million tourists flock to Grand Canyon every year.
Grand Canyon was formed roughly five million years ago, and some of the rocks lining the bottom are two billion years old.
Grand Canyon offers over 400 miles of trails.
There are 1,500 plant species growing in Grand Canyon.
Some of the Hollywood movies to film here include Vacation, Maverick and Fools Rush In.
Grand Canyon's first trail, Bright Angel Trail, opened in 1891.