The Grand Canyon a is a natural formation distinguished by layered bands of red rock located in northern Arizona, northwest of the city of Flagstaff. The canyon measures over 270 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep, making it World’s one of the biggest canyons.
This natural landmark formed about five to six million years as erosion from the Colorado River cut a deep channel through layers of rock. The Grand Canyon contains some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth. The mile-high walls reveal a cross section of Earth’s crust going back nearly two billion years.
If you like to see adventurous, historic and mysterious places, then you must visit the Grand Canyon once, after going there you will be filled with enthusiasm.
Declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site The Grand Canyon is managed by the National Park Service, the Grand Canyon leaves its approximately 6 million visitors per year in awe.
Best time to Visit
The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cooler and crowds are thin.
If you visit during the summer (the park’s peak season), be prepared for tourist crowds and very limited lodging availability.
You can find discounts on hotels during the winter, but much of the park (including the entire North Rim) closes after the first snowfall. The South Rim is open year-round.
Safety
The biggest safety concern at the Grand Canyon is outdoors. Hiking or camping alone in the park is not advised, even if you know the Canyon valley well. Even experienced hikers have gotten lost in the park because they were not well-acquainted with some of the trails, which can prove to be dangerous. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen for your trip. Also check the weather before hiking, as lightning can be deadly in thunderstorms during hot summer days.
How to reach
Since the park is divided into rims, there are different ways to reach each of them. So, before you plan your visit, decide which rim you are going to visit first and check how to reach that particular rim.
By Air:
The closest airport to the South Rim is Phoenix International Airport and that to the west rim is Las Vegas. From there you can either take a bus or a cab, and reach the park without any hassle.
By Train:
Amtrak and Grand Canyon Railway offer train services to the park. So, if you’re looking for a train journey, feel free and board one right away.
By Road:
The south rim is connected to Phoenix by road, north is connected to flagstaff and west is connected to Las Vegas. If you want to drive all the way to the park, you’d have to cover 300 km to reach the rims from their central cities. If you do not wish to drive, you can also avail the shuttle services from the major cities.
Visiting tips
- Do check the weather before planning your visit to the Grand Canyon National Park
- Make sure that you buy the tickets beforehand so as to avoid the end moment hassle.
- Keep clothes according to the weather in the park. Though, try to wear fully-covered clothes.
- Don’t forget to carry your camera along to capture the beautiful moments and sights.
- Keep things like sunglasses, extra clothes, a torch, and more along with you in your backpack.
Things to do
- Thrill Your Soul With Desert Jeep Tour.
- Take in awe-inspiring views during the Skywalk
- Conquer the depths while rafting
- Relax and enjoy the mule ride
- Explore The undiscovered By Hiking
Places to stay
In Grand Canyon National Park, accommodations are not going to be a thing of concern as it offers many accommodation options such as hotels, camps, and cabins of every budget. You can either stay at one of the luxurious hotels at South rim or Phantom Ranch’s famous cabins, the choice is absolutely yours! Though, if you want to indulge in an interaction with mother nature, then you can camp amidst the natural setting of the park.
