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“Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe it. A flower is beautiful. But this is beautiful the way a person is beautiful – terrifying with its jagged edges, yet seductive with its crevices that hide so many secrets. “
— Jeri Smith-Ready in “Requiem for the Devil”
The Canyon is millions of years of geological wonders and history compacted into a wonder of nature, measuring 277 miles long (446 km), 18 miles wide (29 km), and 1 mile deep(1.6 km) making it the longest canyon in the world.
Whether you want an adventurous exploration, a weekend getaway, or a week-long expedition, the Grand Canyon offers it all. The canyon receives 5.5 million visitors each year with about 90% of the visitors preferring to tour and explore the “South Rim” which is open all year round.
The “North Rim” services like accommodations and food are only accessible for a short period between 15th of May to 15th of October each year, as it is a 220 miles (354 km) drive by car or other road vehicles and as a result, it receives a fewer number of visitors than the South Rim.
Tourists can choose from various options like camping tours, private tours, helicopter tours, bus tours and even use their private vehicles to access and experience the national park.
The most visited part of the Grand Canyon is 7,000 feet above sea level. A tour of the South Rim includes historical landmarks and natural landscapes such as:
The Grand Canyon Village
Accessible by Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona, flights or a by driving. The village plays host to some iconic landmarks like Verkamp’s Visitor Centre, Hopi House, El Tovar, Grand Canyon Railway Depot, Bright Angel Lodge, Kolk Studio, Buck O’Neil Lodge, and Lookout Studio.
Hermit Road
This scenic route begins on the west of the Grand Canyon Village and winds its way through the canyon. The road continues on the rim of the canyon for 7 miles (11 km) to Hermits Rest and the Hermit Trailhead. It is a picturesque route great for bicyclists, hikers, and runners, open all year via free shuttle buses providing 8 breathtakingly phenomenal viewpoints.
Desert View Drive
Private vehicles can drive 23 miles (37 km) east along the canyon rim that makes up Desert View Drive. You can find beautiful canyon viewpoints along the way like Pipe Creek Vista, Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Navajo Point, Lipan Point, Desert View Watchtower, and Tusayan Pueblo and Museum.
The North Rim
This area of the canyon rises 8,000 feet above sea level and is less accessible. It is only open for a short season during the year and accessible to hikers and cross-country skiers carrying a backcountry permit all year round due to its location.
North Rim Visitor Centre
The Centre houses indoor and outdoor exhibits depicting natural and cultural history alongside a bookstore and gift shop.
Bright Angel Point
Bright Angel Point is reached through a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip trail that runs down the spine of the ridge. This trail is difficult, with drop-offs and stairs, but hikers are rewarded with truly spectacular views of Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Canyons.
North Rim Scenic drive
A half-day drive to the Cape Royal and Point Imperial, two viewpoints accessible through an amazing winding drive for panoramic views, stunning sunsets and sunrises, uninhabited and unexplored vistas from the east to the west.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The spectacular horseshoe-shaped reinforced-glass bridge is 10-foot wide and 70 feet long. It provides a clear view of the canyon floor 4000 feet below through the sea-through glass.
The rush is like no other while walking on a glass bridge surrounded by natural scenery thousands of feet up in the air but there is nothing to worry about as the Skywalk was made to support seventy fully loaded 747 passenger planes and only a limited number of people are allowed to be up there at a time.
The Canyon Skywalk provides visitors with an unrestricted and unrivaled view of the Grand Canyon West.
Several passes and permits to enter the national park are available for purchase online and offline.
Some of the pass options are listed below:
You can to the South Rim through a flight or helicopter ride as it contains an airport, The Grand Canyon Railway is available from Williams, Arizona to the national park, and visitors can also drive their private cars or vehicles to the South Rim.
The North Rim is more remote in location and as such does not have railway or flight services and thus, you can only reach the North Rim via road by driving or on foot.
Visitors to the South Rim can board a park shuttle bus to travel to the North Rim.
Lodging at the South Rim is available 365 days a year but it is recommended to book housing in advance especially during the summer months and spring break.
On the North Rim, Grand Canyon Lodge is the only place to stay at the North Rim inside the national park, it is advisable to book your stay well in advance.
The Lodge is closed during the winter.
Camping is allowed year-round at the South Rim at 3 designated campgrounds.
Camping is allowed year-round to hikers and cross-country skiers with a backcountry country, otherwise, the North Rim is open from May to October to all visitors and camping at the only designated campground.
There are several activities and adventures you can choose to indulge in while visiting this natural wonder of the world.
South Rim
North Rim
Make your Grand Canyon trip, a trip worth remembering whether you want to visit the popular South Rim or follow the path less traveled by braving the North Rim. Just know that there’s something about the Grand Canyon that makes you feel at peace with yourself and a sense of belonging with nature. This is a haven where you may take your time, think, rediscover yourself, and fall in love with mother earth’s creations.