THE
GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon is a geological wonder! You can see the most spectacular
examples of exposed rock and erosion here in the Canyon. Your first
look will take your breath away. No pictures you've ever seen do
it justice. You will not be prepared for its vastness and depth.
The views are constantly changing because of the light and cloud
cover. You will truly be amazed.
Book
a hotel, motel or resort in the Grand Canyon area.
Check out our city information to learn more about the Grand Canyon
| 
|
 |
|
The Grand Canyon is
awe inspiring. Take the time to make the trip. |
|
ABOUT THE GRAND CANYON
Make sure you plan an extra day when visiting Phoenix as the Grand
Canyon is just a short 3 1/2 hour drive from the metro area. The
park includes 277 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands.
The Park is 1,904 square miles and is 18 miles wide. It is more
than a mile deep at its deepest point. Plateaus to the north and
south rise from 5,000 to over 9,000 feet. The South Rim elevation
is almost 7,000 feet. The Rim temperatures in the Summer range from
50-80 degrees. Be careful when you hike into the Canyon from the
South Rim as you will drop over 5,000 in elevation and the temperatures
will rise the closer you get to the river. The temperature differences
can be dramatic. For example, the Rim temperature in the Summer
may be 80 and the temperature at the Colorado River may be as high
as 110 F.
The Grand Canyon is a very popular vacation destination for people
from around the world. Millions visit this park every year. Click
the link below to see panoramic virtual tours of the rim, inner
canyon and Phantom Ranch.
Grand
Canyon Virtual Tours
South Rim
The best place to view the Canyon is from the South Rim. The South
Rim is open year-round and you can expect crowds and traffic anytime
except in the winter. You must plan ahead if you are going to visit
during the peak visiting months of April-September. The park entrance
gates are open 24 hours. The visitor center and most of the park
facilities are open from 8am-5pm with extended hours during the
summer. Over ninety percent of the visitors to the Grand Canyon
visit the South Rim because of it's easy access, many facilities
and numerous view points. To avoid the largest tourist crowds, plan
your Canyon trip between March-April and September-October. If you
plan far enough ahead, you will be able to get accommodations in
the Park. If not, you will have to make arrangements for lodging
in one of the adjacent communities. Click the link below for lodging
in the Grand Canyon area.
Plan some extra time while
you're at the Canyon. Take a day-hike down the switchbacks of the
Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge. This hike takes about an hour and a
half down and about 3 hours back up. Remember to plan at least twice
a long up the trail as it takes you to hike down. Also, it is very
important to take water with you on the trail. Be especially careful
in the summer months. It gets extremely hot in the inner canyon
and there is no source of water on the trail. The most popular trail
to hike from the South Rim is The Bright Angel Trail. The Bright
Angel is less strenuous than the Kaibab and there is water at Indian
Garden. A good day-hike on the Bright Angel is to Indian Garden.
North Rim
The North Kaibab trail (14 miles) is longer than the South Kaibab
(7miles). Both trails will take you down to Phantom Ranch and to
the Colorado River. Allow two-three days if you are hiking the North
Kaibab in order to really enjoy it. You must make backcountry reservations
if you want to stay at Bright Angel Campground, located at Phantom
Ranch. The North Rim closes from mid-October through May.
Trail Suggestions
Take care on all trails, they can be very dangerous. Many people
overestimate their physical stamina because it is so much easier
walking "down" the trail. Plan at least double the amount
of time up as it takes you to hike down. Wear good walking shoes
or boots. Do not wear high heels or business shoes. Always take
water with you.
Accommodations
Lodging at the Canyon can be hard to get if you don't plan ahead.
The Park lodging facilities are run by AMFAC. Call AMFAC at 303-297-2757
to make reservatins up to two years in advance. Or call 520-638-2631
to make same day reservatins. There are many fine hotels and motels
just outside the Canyon. Click the links below to make an online
reservation.
Grand Canyon
The
Grand Hotel
Best
Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
Grand
Canyon Holiday Inn Express
Holiday
Inn Express - Grand Canyon
Holiday
Inn Express GRAND CANYON, AZ
Quality
Inn & Suites Grand Canyon
Quality
Inn & Suites Grand Canyon
Rodeway
Inn Red Feather
Williams
Best
Western Inn
Econo
Lodge
Fairfield
Inn
Holiday
Inn
Howard
Johnson Express Inn
Norris
Motel
Quality
Inn Mountain Ranch & Resort
Sheridan
House Inn
West
Williams Super 8 Motel
Williams
Grand Canyon Travelodge
Williams
Super 8 Motel
Williams-Days
Inn
Flagstaff
AmeriSuites
Flagstaff
AmeriSuites
Flagstaff Interstate Crossroads
Best
Western Kings House Motel
Best
Western Pony Soldier
Comfort
Inn Flagstaff
Econo
Lodge I-17 & I-40
Econo
Lodge I-17 / I-40
Econo
Lodge Lucky Lane
Embassy
Suites
Fairfield
Inn
Fairfield
Inn
Flagstaff
Days Inn East
Flagstaff
Super 8 Motel
Flagstaff
University/Grand Canyon Travelodge
Flagstaff-Days
Inn Highway 66
Flagstaff-Days
Inn I-40
Flagstaff/Grand
Canyon Travelodge
Hampton
Inn & Suites
Hampton
Inn
Hilton
Garden InnŽ
Holiday
Inn
Howard
Johnson Inn
La
Quinta Inn and Suites
Little
America Hotel
Quality
Inn Flagstaff
Radisson
Woodlands Hotel
Radisson
Woodlands Hotel
Ramada
Limited
Ramada
Limited West
Red
Roof Inn
Residence
Inn
Rodeway
Inn
Sleep
Inn
Travelodge
Hotel
Stats
Bright Angel Trail-8 miles from the Rim to the Colorado River.
Kaibab-South 6.9 miles from the Rim to the Colorado River.
The trailhead is at Yaki point. This trail offers no shade and no
water source.
Kaibab-North 14 miles from the North Rim to the Colorado
River. This trail is much less traveled and has spectacular views
of the Canyon.
|
