Grand Canyon National Park is the second most visited park in the US. The entire Canyon is bigger than the state of Rhode Island however, the national park only covers a small portion of the Canyon. There is nothing like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. The depth, magnitude, and immense scale are hard to capture in words and pictures. At 227 river miles long and 18 miles wide, how do you explore such a destination? In this travel guide, you will learn everything you need to know about how to visit the Grand Canyon, National Park.
Where To Find It
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Northern Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada. It is about and 1.5 four drive from Flagstaff, Arizona. Phoenix and Las Vegas are the closest major cities to the Grand Canyon. There are two sections to the Park. The Southern and Northern Rim.
The Southern Rim is the most popular to visit. From here you can explore the rim walk and enjoy views of the Canyon. You can also see the Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. If you are willing to drive a few extra hours, the views from the Northern Rim are stunning. Plus fewer crowds! Being at a higher elevation, the temperatures are cooler and the forest is thicker. Take a short walk from the visitor center and see the Roaring Springs (the main source of drinking water in the Grand Canyon).
Where To Stay
There are several options for tent and RV camping in the Grand Canyon. Desert View Campground, Mather Campground, and Trailer Village RV Park are a few options. There are also several lodges that are available to reserve inside the park.
There is also the option to “glamp”. Under Canvas offers the most luxurious camping experience. Even if you are not a camping lover, you will enjoy your stay at Under Canvas. Located outside the national park, it is the perfect place to end the day. The Deluxe tent includes a king-size bed, working toilet and shower (hot water), wood stove for those chilly nights, and mist for those hot afternoons. Experiences at the resort include Yoga, jeep tours, and so much more! Spend the evening stargazing, roasting marshmallows for smores, and drinking hot chocolate. Spending a few nights here was one of my favorite bucket list activities!
Where To Eat
There are many cafes and restaurants throughout the Park. Near the Grand Canyon, Visitor Center is Bright Angel Bicycle Rental and Cafe, a great place for a grab-and-go breakfast or lunch. At the Grand Canyon Village is the Village Market (groceries), Deli at the Marketplace, or a Camper Service Grab and Go. There are many more options to choose from at the Grand Canyon Lodges. If you want to travel outside the park there are again, many more options.
Climate and Best Time To Go
The South Rim at the Grand Canyon is open all year long. However, the most popular times to visit are spring, summer, and fall. The summer months can get very hot during the day, however, once that sun goes down, it can get quite cool. You are able to visit the Southern Rim in the Winter, however, be prepared for those winter storms, snowfall, and less congested drives.
The North Rim is open from May through October. The seasons can be similar to the Southern Rim, however, it does tend to be cooler due to the higher elevation.
Bucket List Activities
Visit (and possibly climb) the daring Desert View Watchtower. Capture the unique views of the Canyon from this stunning overlook. Make this stop your first one as you journey into the park!
Walk the Rim Trail near the Visitor Center. Experience the vastness and beauty of the Canyon from up top! Park at the Visitor Center to start your walk. It is about 0.7 miles and ends at the Grand Canyon Village.
Catch the magical sunset at Mather Point. A great way to end your journey at the Grand Canyon. This is one of the most popular overlooks at the Grand Canyon. So be sure to get there early and grab a spot to watch the sun go down over the stunning canyon!
Favorite Instagram Spot
Although there are several amazing Insta spots throughout the park; my absolute favorite was Shoshone Point. A hidden gem of the Grand Canyon it is an extraordinary place to soak in the majestic beauty of the Canyon. It is easy to spend an hour here just taking in the awesomeness of the Canyon. You won’t find this place on any map, but it is a great recommendation by the locals here!
Bonus Travel Tips
The best recommendation I can give you is to start your day at Grand Canyon National Park at the East entrance (Desert View Drive). This is the less popular entrance (scenic drive) and you are able to stop at many overlooks until you get to the Visitor Center. I found that by getting to the park around 8 am or 9 am you will have some overlooks to yourself. Plus, if you are visiting in the summer you can enjoy the park in the morning, before getting out of that afternoon heat.
I would budget about a day at the Grand Canyon Southern Rim. This gives you enough time to explore the overlooks, walk the Rim Trail, and explore the Village.
If you are planning to do any major hikes, such as the Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail, I recommend budgeting for two days at the park. One day to hike, the other day to recuperate and explore the park from above. There is much more information on hiking the Grand Canyon at the Visitor Center. But the main things to remember are: Know your limits! and pack plenty of water! If you are a beginner, there are options to hike only a part of the trails.
The desert sun can still be hot and it is hard to find any shade in Petrified Forest. Do not underestimate the power of the desert sun. Please protect yourself and bring these items with you on your trip.
Hat and Sunglasses- these will keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. Making your outdoor adventures must more enjoyable. Here is the hat I wore on our Arizona trip!
Sunscreen – no one likes to get sunburned on their weekend getaways. Apply sunscreen in the morning and be sure to reapply if needed. This is my favorite kind.
Aloe – in case you do miss a spot with your sunscreen bring aloe to soothe those burns.
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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