Grand Canyon National Park is not only a beautiful national park the grand canyon is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. There’s a lot to see here and plenty of ways to enjoy the park, from hiking the rim to rim, to kayaking the Colorado river. You can even just take a scenic drive through the park stopping at the various pull outs. There is something for everyone.
What to know before you go
Grand Canyon National Park is run by the National Park service, meaning you will need a pass. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, that is all you need, if not the cost is $35 a vehicle.
The Grand Canyon sees over 5 million visitors a year, but there are no required reservations or timed entrance as you see with some of the other parks. Yet.
The entire park is connected by free shuttle buses and is open year-round. But be aware that shuttle buses can be impacted by weather conditions and the time to get from one end of the park to the other can take several hours. For example, if you are planning to hike the “rim to rim” (from the Grand Canyon south rim to the Grand Canyon north rim, or vice versa) one way only, it is a good idea to park your car at the end and take a shuttle to the beginning.
This shuttle between these two points is a 4 hour drive, so you will need to plan accordingly. I would recommend planning to stay at the North Rim campground on your first night after taking the shuttle before starting your trek down into the canyon.
Best time to visit
Many people visit during the summer months, when their kids are out of school. It can also be horrifically hot, at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit the summer heat is something to take very serious. Even so, it is still the busiest time of year.
The National Park service recommends visiting during the week and outside of Memorial Day and Labor day due to the crowds, the extreme heat and risk of heat exhaustion, but it is still their peak season. If you plan to hike down into the canyon, you will need a backcountry permit and they will strongly recommend you do not go during the summer due to the significant and very real risks of heat stroke when hiking during the summer season.
You will have a much more enjoyable trip if you visit when there are cooler temperatures. Then you can spend the extra time taking in the incredible beauty of the canyon.
A Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
If you only have a day and want to spend it taking in some of the awe-inspiring beauty of this natural wonder, there are a couple of great lookouts and easy walking paths to check out. Or you can choose a day hike to get a little taste of what the Grand Canyon has to offer, like the ever popular Bright Angel Trail.
One of the most popular spots to stop at, and in my opinion, the spot with the best views, is the Yavapai point overlook area. There are large parking lots at different spots along this overlook, but keep in mind you will experience large crowds here.
There is a paved rim trail that follows along the canyon, with a variety of overlooks to get different views. There is also the small Yavapai geology museum and one of many gift shops in the park. It is a short walk from the parking lot and you can continue along the rim trail for as long as you like because it goes on for miles.
The other stops along the way are Grandview point and Lipan point, both located on the south rim. Both can be shorter stops, but give different perspectives. Grandview point has a trail that drops steeply down into the canyon and was once used as a mining trail for copper. For many, this is the best place to stop for the best views of the canyon.
Lipan point is also located along the south rim and shows off some of the widest sections of the grand canyon and also gives you views of the Colorado river.
Two other stops along the way could include the Grand Canyon visitor center and the Grand Canyon Village. However, word of warning, the visitor center is often a zoo of people and in some opinions, just not worth it. So, if you are running tight on time, I would skip this and spend your time taking in the natural wonder instead of a visitor center.
If you are a bit of a history buff the Grand Canyon Village, should be on your list. It can be a pricy spot to stay, but you can take a historic walking tour and learn more about the areas past.
Multiday hiking
Walking along the rim trail overlooking it all is a great way to see the canyon, but it is not the only way. There are a ton of great multiday hikes available in this huge national park, many of which require a permit acquired ahead of time.
The best way to truly experience the Grand Canyon is to do the rim to rim hike down into the bottom of the canyon. Some do this as a one day challenge and some take their time, with a stay at Phantom Ranch, which makes for a perfect trip. Taking your time gives you a chance to truly enjoy the Grand Canyon and a great time to go is in early fall when the temperatures are a bit cooler.
The most popular hike in the park is of course the Bright Angel trail, where you can walk in the footsteps of the indigenous people who called the canyon home until the area was purchased by the National Park Service and they were displaced. Depending on how far you want to go be prepared for the strenuous trek back out.
Hiking down is fairly easy, but the hike out is a challenge. The main trail goes to Plateau Point and Trail 12 miles in, with multiple stopping points along the way, including Havasupai gardens. If you plan to hike further, check with the ranger station before hand for any closures, permits required, or things to watch for.
Concluding Thoughts
Located in northern Arizona, a road trip that includes the Grand Canyon is the perfect way to see the area. Take the extra time for a Grand Canyon trip to allow yourself the opportunity to really take in one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
From there, you can take a trip to Antelope Canyon for another look at how nature creates its own awe-inspiring beauty.
