Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona

Nothing is like the Grand Canyon, nothing in the world!  This canyon is a true gift that transcends what we experience with its beauty and size.  Unless you visit the canyon you truly can’t envision the size of it.  You look out over the canyon and know that its timelessness provokes a comparison to our short existence.  In its vast spaces you may find solace from hectic lives.

The South Rim is open 365 days a year.  Visitor services and facilities are open and available every day of the year including holidays. 

Most visitors go to the South Rim.  Expect lots of people and traffic congestion and parking problems, particularly during the summer.  The least crowded time is November through February but keep in mind that winter weather is a major consideration when planning a trip during these months.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon averages 7000 feet above sea level.  Visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties.  Walking at this elevation can be strenuous for everyone.

There are many overlooks accessible by car that offers spectacular views of the canyon.  Desert View drive (Hwy 64) follows the canyon rim for 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village to Desert View – the east entrance to the park.  Desert View Drive is open to private vehicles throughout the year, but the park runs a free shuttle bus to provide transportation to the overlooks and is MUCH less stressful than driving yourself.  Besides, riding the shuttle means that everyone gets to see instead on the driver missing all the beauty!

A hiking trail, knows as the Rim Trail, follows the rim from Pipe Creek Vista to Hermits Rest.  The section of the Rim Trail between Pipe Creek Vista and Maricopa Point is paved, and mostly wheelchair accessible.  Unpaved portions of the trail, between Maricopa Point and Hermits Rest are arrow and close to the edge.  Bicycles are NOT permitted on the Rim Trial.

Yavapai Observation Station at Yavapai Point offers panoramic views of the canyon, including the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch.

For viewing or photographing the canyon, the best light is early or late in the day. 

The Colorado River flows along the bottom of the canyon, 5000 ft below the rim.  Because of the enormous depth of Grand Canyon, the river is visible only from certain viewpoints.  It is a 2 day hike to the river and back from the South Rim.  It’s a longer trip from the North Rim.  It is possible to drive to the Colorado River at Lees Ferry (near Marble Canyon, Arizona), a 2.5 hour trip one way form the South Rim.  Lees Ferry marks the OFFICIAL beginning of Grand Canyon.

North Rim

There are three developed viewpoints on the North Rim which offer a sense of looking across the expanse of the canyon rather than down into it.  Views of the Colorado River are rare and distant.

Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via a winding scenic drive.  The trip to both points, with short walks at each and several stops at pullouts along the way, can easily take half a day.

Point Imperial, the highest point on the north Rim is at 8,803 ft, overlooks the Painted Desert (which is in another listing on this site) and the eastern end of Grand Canyon.

Cape Royal provides a panorama up, down and across the canyon.  It is popular for both sunrise and sunset views.  the sweeping turn of the Colorado River is framed through the natural arch of Angels Window.

If you are up to putting in a bit of effort, driving a four wheel drive you can reach Point Sublime, the western most of the North Rim viewpoints.  The rough, two hour (one way) trip is rewarded by a view that lives up to its name.

Make the trip to the Grand Canyon, you will not be disappointed.  It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World!