When is the best time to go to the Grand Canyon? What to see in the grand canyon. Tourist Attractions in Grand Canyon Park

A deep fissure snakes through the state of Arizona for more than four hundred kilometers. The Canyon owes its appearance to two rivers - the Colorado and the Walpay, which for many millions of years have been cutting through the sandy-stony land of the plateau. The wind polishing their surfaces also took part in the architecture of the ornate walls. The many stony rocks that open up in layers as the Canyon forms fill it with all sorts of iridescent hues.

You can enjoy fantastic landscapes by visiting one of the greatest reserves in the United States - the Grand Canyon National Park. The area of ​​the park covers almost five thousand square kilometers. The most visited area is the southern edge of the Canyon, where the most popular vantage points are located.

Of course, it is impossible to survey the entire Canyon, stretching from horizon to horizon. Previously, those wishing to see the panorama of the Grand Canyon on a large scale had to fork out for a helicopter tour. Architecture came to the aid of nature: in 2007, a completely transparent bridge was opened over a 1220-meter abyss, from which a truly breathtaking view opens.

colored desert

The Colored Desert, in the northern part of Arizona, in the USA, is one of the most amazing places on our planet. This is a large part of the North American Colorado Plateau. The most beautiful colored hills stretch along the Little Colorado River and form an absolutely incredible landscape. This desert is part of the famous Grand Canyon and is part of the Petrified Trees National Park.

The name of the desert was first used in 1858 by Lieutenant Joseph Eves, as he described the color bands of red, yellow, white, blue and lilac. The hot desert air sometimes turns into a pink mist or purple haze as colored dust rises into the air. Together, all the colors form an amazing rainbow that stretches across the desert, as if colored waves are pouring over the hills.

It took millions of years for nature to create this amazing canvas. Faults in the earth's crust, ocean waters, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, erosion and sun rays - these are just a few of the factors that worked on this amazing picture and created one of the most unique landscapes on the planet.

What sights of the Grand Canyon did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Grand Canyon is world-famous and very popular, not only among lovers of the Wild West and beautiful nature, but also among scientists, because its rocks and caves, and the canyon itself as a whole, is a huge collection of knowledge for geologists, archaeologists and biologists. And yet, to the general public, it is known primarily as an unearthly beauty place.

A real gift for visitors to the Grand Canyon was the completion in 2007 of the construction of a horseshoe-shaped observation deck that protrudes twenty meters above the canyon. Glass (visitors are given special shoes to avoid scratching the glass) surfaces of the observation deck do not interfere with the view at all and create the feeling of soaring over the Grand Canyon, allowing you to enjoy the unique landscapes of this place from the bottom of your heart.

It is impossible to describe everything that can be seen in the Grand Canyon, each of the numerous and unique attractions of this natural monument is worthy of the title of a pearl in the world treasury and a separate story. It can only be noted that the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a great opportunity to truly feel the unique spirit of this place.

The Grand Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is cut through by the Colorado River in the thickness of sandstones, limestones and shales. These amazing natural phenomena took place over 10 million years.

Now the canyon is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the main attractions of the United States. The length of the canyon is 446 kilometers, the width varies from 6 to 29 kilometers, and the depth reaches 1,600 meters.

For convenience, viewing platforms have been built on the canyon, a detailed map of the area has been installed, the absolute cleanliness of the park has been observed, which is why the ability of Americans to protect their natural beauties is amazing.

The Grand Canyon is also very well explored by scientists: in it they found 4 geological eras of the Earth, many rocks and caves with rich geological, biological and archaeological materials.

The most popular Grand Canyon attractions with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of the Grand Canyon on our website.

Distances from the Grand Canyon (South):

• Las Vegas - 278 miles / 447 km (4.5 hours)
• Los Angeles - 494 miles / 795 km (7.5 hours)
• Flagstaff - 81 miles / 130 km (1.5 hours)
• Valley of Fire - 311 miles / 498 km (5 hours)
• Grand Canyon (North) - 212 miles / 341 km (4 hours)
• Horseshoe - 134 miles / 215 km (2.5 hours) - you need to go along Route 89T (you will not be able to drive directly along Route 89 with a stop to the Navajo Bridge, because a piece of the road to Page is under repair, when it will be open - check)
• Page - 132 miles / 211 km (2 hours 20 minutes)

Distances from the Grand Canyon (northern part):

• Las Vegas - 275 miles / 443 km (4.5 hours)
• Los Angeles - 537 miles / 859 km (8.5 hours)
• Flagstaff - 207 miles / 333 km (4 hours)
• Valley of Fire - 218 miles / 348 km (4.5 hours)
• Grand Canyon (South) - 212 miles / 341 km (4 hours)
• Horseshoe - 158 miles / 252 km (3 hours) - through the city of Kanab
• Page - 155 miles / 248 km (3 hours)

Short description: one of the most famous and visited parks in the USA. The Grand Canyon will especially impress fans of large-scale and majestic panoramic views, the play of light and shadow, and long hikes.

Schedule: The park is naturally divided into two parts, each of which operates according to its own schedule.

• The southern part or edge (South Rim) is open to the public around the clock 365 days a year.
• North Rim - has a limited season: from May 15 to October 15, the park is open to the public around the clock, from October 15 to December 1 (or until road 67 is closed due to snow) the park is open to the public only during daytime.

The park has only three entrances - southern, western and northern.

Cost of visiting*:

• car ticket and all passengers - $25 (valid for 7 days);
• individual ticket(for those who came to the park by bus as part of a non-profit group, bicycle, motorcycle, or came on foot) - $ 12 (valid for 7 days);
• Grand Canyon Pass/ Grand Canyon Annual Pass (subscription) - $ 50 (valid for a year only for visiting this park);
• General annual pass/Annual Pass (subscription) - $ 80 (valid for a year and applies to all parks included in the national park system).

*price includes entrance to both parts of the park

What can you see in the Grand Canyon?

panoramic views

The main attraction of the park is its impressive and breathtaking scenery. For lovers of dynamically changing views, it will probably be boring here, but there is an opportunity to see the Grand Canyon in different lighting conditions. At dawn, at noon and before sunset, completely different pictures appear. Landscapes turn purple, then bluish, then yellow and red.

Trails

Those who want to stretch their legs, having enough time left, can walk in one or more trails. Perhaps the most interesting thing is to go down to the bottom of the canyon and see the Colorado River close by. To do this, you need to stock up on strength, because it will take a long time to go down, and then go up even longer))

Colorado River

The Colorado River can be seen not only from going down to it, but also from above. Here and there, she exposes her curves to the curious eyes of tourists, so be careful.

Animals

Deer, hares, squirrels, chipmunks and many more unnoticed animals inhabit the park. Many of them are not at all shy. For example, you can witness the scene of a deer slowly eating something very tasty in front of a couple of dozen tourists. Just don't get too close, the rangers swear.

How to get to the Grand Canyon

There are several ways to get to the park, and the choice is surprisingly rich.

By car

I think everyone will figure out how to get to the park by car. Navigator and maps to help. See the beginning of the article for distances from the nearest cities and parks.

By shuttle

By shuttle - twice a day from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon ArizonaShuttle. You can also drive from Phoenix, Tucson, and other cities in Arizona.

Also from Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix and Las Vegas, you can get to both parts of the park by FlagstaffShuttleandcharter .

By plane

You can fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix (there are also several flights to Flagstaff), and at the airport, transfer to a car or use a shuttle and get to the Grand Canyon.

There is an option to fly from Boulder City (near Las Vegas) to Tasayan (near the Grand Canyon). Located in Tasayan Grand Canyon Airport. Further on the same scheme - rent a car or shuttle. To know .

How long does it take to visit: it all depends on what you want to see. If it is enough to take a few panoramic shots from above, then you can manage in half a day by looking at the main viewing platforms in grand canyon village. During the day, you can have time to see the points located along the southern edge of the canyon and ride along the Desert View Road. If you want to visit also in the northern part, you will have to add another day. For a visit to skywalk it will also take time.

Seasons

When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon? Perhaps, in the summer months, although, you can also capture May and September. Judge for yourself:

Winter. Winter is not the best time to visit the park. On the South Rim, you can encounter snowfall, icy roads and hiking trails. Winter usually takes effect from November and temperatures can drop below freezing. It will be much warmer near the river, but not more than +15 degrees at best. North Rim does not receive tourists at all in winter.

Spring. Spring comes into its own from mid-April, when the temperature reaches +10-20 degrees and continues to grow. Usually it is still cool in spring and it can be very windy. There is even a chance of snowfalls until June.

Summer. In summer, the temperature on the South Rim averages +27-32 degrees, while in the Colorado River Valley it can reach +40 degrees. It is colder on the North Rim, because the local area is higher (average temperatures are +21-26 degrees, at night it can be up to zero degrees). Thunderstorms with heavy rains are possible in July, August and early September. Lightning, hail and even tornadoes are not uncommon.

Autumn. In September it becomes cooler and the temperature drops to an average of +16-21 degrees in September and up to +10-15 in November. Near the river in these months it is much warmer, ten degrees. The rainfall is getting smaller.

Important! In winter, due to snowfalls, some roads are closed, for example, road 67 leading to North Rim. Shuttle buses stop running along Hermit Road for the winter period, but you can drive a car.

Useful applied information

Where to eat: if you stay at campsites, you can cook for yourself, while purchasing provisions in some large supermarket, the prices in which will differ favorably compared to small shops, and even more so shops in the park. If you don’t want to spend time cooking, you can find food in the Grand Canyon Village (restaurants, cafes, shops) or the nearest town of Tasayan. This is for the southern part of the park. In the northern part, you can eat at the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Gas stations: The nearest gas station to the South Rim is located in Tusan and close to Desert View Point.

Where to look for internet (wi-fi):

• Grand Canyon National Park Headquarters - free wi-fi daily from 8 am to 5 pm, public computers are also available from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
• Library (Community Library) - free wi-fi and computers (from Mon. to Sat. from 10:30 to 17:00).
• Hotel Lobby – Wi-Fi is available 24/7 but charges may apply.
• Canyon Village Market - Wi-Fi access (from 7:00 to 21:00).

Rent a Car: The most convenient way to get to the parks, and indeed to move around the States, of course, is by car. Many tourists rent a car immediately upon arrival at the airport, but most decide this issue before arrival. You can rent a car at a good price for a trip to the Grand Canyon and other places on the Priceline website. If you don't like the suggested options, try searching.

Grade

7 from 10 . For us, the Grand Canyon turned out to be somewhat boring compared to the parks we had already seen (Yosemite, Death Valley, Valley of Fire). After walking along the southern edge and admiring enough of the same type of landscapes, we decided not to go to the northern part. I heard that some people like the landscapes there more, but I don’t think that they are strikingly different from the south. We also did not go to the trails deep into the canyon, because there was no desire to spend the night below and carry all the things necessary for this. It turns out that we saw, in fact, what most of the tourists see, who are not inclined to explore the park too actively. I can say that it was interesting only for the first hour or two, then the landscapes became familiar.

Grand Canyon Maps

Our map

• Red dots - landmarks along Hermit Road
• Greens - Attractions along Desert View Road
• Orange - Points of interest along the orange shuttle bus route
• Light Brown - North Rim Landmarks
• Blacks - housing
• Yellow - gas stations
• Green - places where you can find food (restaurants, cafes, shops)
• Grays - showers and laundries
• Blue - parking lots
• Raspberry - entrances to the park and visitor centers (visitor centers where you can find out useful information, ask questions to the ranger, take a map, find a gift shop, etc.), as well as attractions in the vicinity
• Brown - trails (tourist paths)
• Blue - places where you can replenish the supply of drinking water

Useful maps from the official site

Original blog post: http://www.golden-monkey.ru/notes/grand-canyon-park
Publication date: 01/05/2015

The Grand Canyon is the most famous US National Park in the world, which is located in the northern part of Arizona and is very popular among both foreigners and locals. Many tourists who visit the West Coast of the United States or the Wild West dream of visiting here. However, not all of them know what they will face when planning an independent route, Las Vegas or ordering an excursion from other cities that are close to the Grand Canyon, as well as how to get there and when is the best time to go. At first glance, there are no particular difficulties on this trip, but there are a number of very important details that you should definitely take into account when preparing for a visit to the Grand Canyon.

So, you definitely want to see the Grand Canyon in the USA and have already thought about preparing for an unforgettable trip, but don't know where to start and how long it will take? Now I will tell you how to plan your trip to the Grand Canyon and avoid the most common mistakes, in the form of a simple step-by-step instruction that will be understood by absolutely everyone.

1. Decide how you are going to get to the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to America's most important National Park begin their journey to the Grand Canyon in the USA (Arizona) by flying to one of the two international airports closest to it:

• McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS)
• Sky Arbor Airport in Phoenix (Sky Harbor International Airport, PHX)

Both of these airports receive aircraft from other major US cities, such as, and. There are no direct flights from Russia and the CIS countries, but there are flights from European countries.

• You can check the availability of air tickets, find out prices and book a flight on the Aviasales website →

Flight to the Grand Canyon by plane

Since there are only small local airports near the Grand Canyon itself, in this case you will have to spend several hours driving from the Vegas or Phoenix airport to the entrance to the Grand Canyon Park in a rented car or by ordering a sightseeing tour that starts right from the city where you will arrive.

• It is better to book a car for a trip around the USA in advance on the car rental website Rentalcars.com →

Those who want to stay longer in the park, spending less time on the road to it, can fly to one of the other two local airports, also located in Arizona a little closer to the Grand Canyon - in the city of Flagstaff (FLG) and Page (PGA ).

Since no public transportation (with the exception of organized transfers from nearby cities and the historic railroad from Williams) goes to the Grand Canyon Park, you will most likely need to rent a car and drive on your own. There is also another option - to buy a tour to the Grand Canyon by bus from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Kingman, Flagstaff or Williams.

For more information on how to get to the Grand Canyon and what tour options are available, read our articles:

In any case, keep in mind the following estimated driving time to the entrance to the most popular among tourists South Rim of the Grand Canyon from major cities in Western USA:

• Phoenix, Arizona: 4.5 hours
• Las Vegas, Nevada: 5 hours
• Albuquerque, New Mexico: 7 hours
• Los Angeles, California: 8 hours
• Salt Lake City, Utah: 8 hours
• Denver, Colorado: 13 hours

2. Decide which part of the Grand Canyon you want to visit. As you know, the Grand Canyon is quite large, and you can look at it from different places, to which convenient roads lead. All of them are located either on the territory of the National Park (Southern and Northern parts) or in (Western part). The distances between them are just huge, you can go all day. Therefore, to begin with, it is better to choose one part of it and plan your trip exclusively to it.

West, South and North of the Grand Canyon on the map

• If this is your first visit to the Grand Canyon National Park, or you are traveling in the US with children, then most likely you will want to visit due to the fact that it is easier to find a hotel near it (book in advance) and also there there are most of all different services and many interesting events are held. In addition, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open to visitors all year round, making it the most suitable option to visit during the winter. But about a trip to the South Rim in the summer, you should think about it in advance, because the number of people who want to visit there is growing every year and is about 4 million people a year.
  
• Be sure to plan for a spectacular sunrise or sunset at the Grand Canyon, or better yet, both, especially if the weather is lucky and the skies are clear. Be sure to keep in mind that if you want to spend the night in the Grand Canyon or somewhere nearby, then reserve a hotel room or campsite in advance. Free housing, especially during the high season (from May to October), is practically non-existent in the Grand Canyon, or it is fabulously expensive.

  

• I recommend going on a few hikes (self-guided hiking) along the Grand Canyon, or you can even go down into it to fully appreciate its scale and size. When planning your visit, keep in mind that walking up from the canyon will usually take twice as long as walking down. An easy 1 hour walk deep into the canyon can easily turn into a 4 hour ordeal to descend, enjoy the beautiful views and then climb back up. The main problem that ill-prepared tourists often face (especially in the warm season) is dehydration. Therefore, always take enough drinking water with you, even when going on short hikes (based on at least 1 liter of water per 2 hours of hiking per person).

  

• Northern part (North Rim) The Grand Canyon, which is open to visitors from mid-May to October, is best suited for young couples, experienced hikers and those who appreciate peace, quiet and nature. It is believed that Northern Rome is more picturesque, but everyone has their own taste, so I will not confirm or refute this statement. Personally, we liked the Grand Canyon everywhere, because each of its parts has its own undeniable advantages. However, it should be borne in mind that you will not find such a variety of different services and services that are available in Southern Rome in the northern part of the national park.

  

• West Side The Grand Canyon West is located near the city of Meadview and is best suited for tourists who come to Las Vegas who have limited travel time, but at the same time strongly desire to see the Grand Canyon. Also, a trip there will be convenient for those who do not want to rent a car for a trip to the South or North Rome, but want to book a bus tour to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. An amazing observation deck with a glass floor, hanging right over the canyon, is very popular with young people. But with small children to go there is not the most reasonable option. Located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and open to the public all year round, the Grand Canyon West is best booked from Las Vegas.

Grand Canyon Address and Opening Hours:

• Grand Canyon South is located at 20 South Entrance Road Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Opening hours are 24/7.
• Grand Canyon North Address: Arizona 67, North Rim, AZ 86023. Open to visitors around the clock from May 15 to October 15.
• Grand Canyon West - Skywalk Observation Deck Address: Eagle Point Rd, Peach Springs, AZ 86434 from 7:00 to 19:00 (from April to September).

Read more about which part of the Grand Canyon in the USA is better, read →

3. Find out when is the best time to go to the Grand Canyon. Statistically, summer is the warmest, driest and most popular time of year for tourist trips to the Grand Canyon, especially its South Rim. The best weather here is in late spring and early autumn. In late autumn, the Grand Canyon is no longer as crowded as during the summer holidays and school holidays, but it is not hot and not cold, but intermittent rains are possible. Winter brings cooler temperatures accompanied by snowfall, so there are not many visitors to the Grand Canyon at this time of the year, and it becomes quite quiet there.

Thus, best time to go to grand canyon This is the period from the end of September to the beginning of October. In early autumn it is not as hot as in summer, and the crowds of tourists are significantly thinner with the start of the new school year in schools. And in some highlands, such as Flagstaff (Flagstaff), North Rim (North Rim), White Mountains (White Mountains) and in you can see the picturesque transformation of nature and watch the breathtaking autumn leaf fall. At this time, it is best to go to the Grand Canyon for a tour, book a tour from Las Vegas or travel on your own, as we did and were very satisfied.

• Read our article about →

Helpful advice: When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, be sure to keep in mind that on weekends and especially on holidays, many Americans go to all US national parks who want to spend time in nature. Therefore, try to visit the Grand Canyon on weekdays, when there are much fewer visitors in the park.

Recommendation: want to visit the Grand Canyon and save money? Then plan your trip or book a tour during the winter months (November to February) when many Grand Canyon lodges, as well as nearby hotels, offer significant discounts on accommodation.

4. Choose a place to stay at one of the Grand Canyon hotels or nearby, where it will be most convenient for you to stay during your trip, and be sure to book it in advance. There are lodges and hotels right on the territory of Southern and Northern Rome, the prices for accommodation in them are the highest, and they are reserved a year before the trip. There are also several campsites - with and without amenities.

• Mather Campground- in the southern part of the park;
• North Rim Campground- in the northern part;
• Desert View Campground- camping in the remote area of ​​​​Desert View.

Outside the Grand Canyon Park, the choice of accommodation options for hotels and campsites is much greater:

• Near the southern part of the park, you can stay in hotels in cities Tasayan(Tusayan, 10 minutes by car), Williams(Williams, 1 hour drive) Flagstaff(Flagstaff 1.5 hour drive) or Page(Page / Lake Powell, 2.5 hours drive).
  • Best hotel in Tasayan - The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon →
  • In Williams, it is best to stay in the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel 4 * →
  • Recommended good hotel in Flagstaff - Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff →
  • Good hotels in Page overlooking Lake Powell - Best Western Lake Powell Hotel →
• Not far from the Northern part of the park there is accommodation in Jacob Lake (Jacob Lake, 1 hour drive), Kanab (Kanab, 2 hours drive) or Page again (Page / Lake Powell, 2.5 hours drive).
• Very close to the Grand Canyon West, located on an Indian reservation, there is the only housing option on a stylized Indian ranch, but organized tours and excursions from there usually stop. The nearest hotels to Western Rome are in Peach Springs and Kingman (1.5 hours by car).

You can find out the availability and cost of rooms in hotels for dates that are convenient for you, as well as see reviews and photos, using the search form for accommodation options that suit you:

5. Plan activities and book tours offered in the Grand Canyon. There is a wide range of activities to take part in, as well as various interesting things to do in the National Park. Here are just a few of them:

• Descent into the canyon on mules
• Flight over the Grand Canyon by plane or helicopter
• Rafting on the Colorado River (beginning - from the historical)
• Hiking
• Train ride on the historic railway
• off-road jeep safari
• Walk with a ranger in the park
• stargazing

Undoubtedly, all of them will make your visit to the Grand Canyon more memorable. Most of these tours and activities do not require special training and are suitable for people of all ages (the only exceptions are the mule tour, outback hiking and rafting).

Read also:

Interesting fact: gaining more and more popularity every year (mainly due to its proximity to Las Vegas), the observation deck with a glass floor of the Grand Canyon Skywalk is not actually part of the National Park, and the entrance to it is paid separately (about $ 80 with person). It is located in the Western part of the Grand Canyon in the territory belonging to the Indians of the Hualapai tribe. A separate road leads to it, the last 25 kilometers of which are a bumpy dirt road. Although it has been improved a bit recently, it is still very bumpy, with large holes in some areas. Therefore, all drivers who rent a car to travel around the United States are not recommended to go here, since insurance usually does not cover unpaved roads.

6. Think about what other attractions near the Grand Canyon you can visit. Surely, going to Arizona for the Grand Canyon alone makes sense only if you have very little free time and want to see only it. Many tourists very often go to the Grand Canyon during their vacation, which usually lasts 2 or 3 weeks, with family and children, including visiting it in their US travel itinerary.

Depending on how much time you want to devote to the state of Arizona and the states of Nevada, California, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado located next to it, it is worthwhile to work out your travel plan in America in more detail in advance. For example, if you have more than 3 free days in Las Vegas and its surroundings, then you can plan interesting trips not only to the Grand Canyon, but also to other equally interesting places nearby.

Here are the most famous attractions near the Grand Canyon, which tourists often include in their US itinerary:

7. Book all the amenities and services you will need for your trip to the Grand Canyon. Buy the right flights, select and book a car, book hotels and tours, buy tickets for and plan dinner at a restaurant (reservations are required at some especially popular establishments). Hotels in the Grand Canyon tend to be booked 6 months to a year in advance, especially during peak tourist season (which basically starts with spring break and runs through Thanksgiving). Campsites are booked half a year in advance, and the demand for accommodation in them is not much lower than for hotels.

From my own experience, I can say that during our trip we didn’t book anything in advance, but we were at great risk of being left without a suitable place to sleep at all. As a result, we could not find free hotels and campsites right next to the Grand Canyon, but had to stay in Flagstaff, Kanab and Las Vegas, which are quite far from the park, but, nevertheless, quite suitable for our US itinerary.

Thus, booking hotels and campsites early is the most important step in planning a Grand Canyon trip and will be the very "pivot" around which the rest of your plans for an unforgettable trip will be formed.

• Read a detailed article about hotels and all accommodation options near the Grand Canyon →

I will add that it is worth bearing in mind that cancellations often occur. Therefore, if you were unable to reserve a place on some very popular tour (for example, a trip to the Grand Canyon on mule) or all tickets for one of the main shows in Las Vegas were sold out, then periodically monitor the information and try to book again and again, especially as your travel date approaches.

Maybe in the end you will be lucky, and you will be the first to intercept the broken reservation. Do not lose hope to the last and be persistent, because even when you are already in the park, you can ask if someone's reserved seat has been vacated in the event you are interested in. At the same time, do not forget to think about alternative forms of entertainment in advance.

Helpful advice: What to do if you are not prepared in advance? Do not despair! Try booking a hotel or campsite over the phone, although it's a bit more complicated than online. The main problem is that during the peak months, Grand Canyon call centers tend to receive a very high volume of calls, and it is not easy to get through. If it didn’t work the first time, don’t give up and better put the phone on auto redial. Sooner or later, you will be able to get on the line with a specialist who will help you solve your problems.

8. Create a final US trip plan and detail your Grand Canyon itinerary. Print e-tickets and all confirmations of your hotel reservations and reserved tours, excursions and other activities in which you are going to participate. Fold them in order in a special folder or envelope and always keep them at hand, making special notes in them during the trip.

During your preparation, pay special attention to finding and studying maps of various parts of the Grand Canyon. Buy a paper version of the map or download from the Internet and print them before your trip. They will definitely come in handy when planning your trip route and visiting the park.

• Official maps of the Grand Canyon Park on the website of the US National Park Service →
• Detailed maps of parts of the Grand Canyon, campsites, trails, shuttles and Grand Canyon Village →
• The Grand Canyon on Wikimapia interactive map →

Do not forget to take all the necessary documents with you on your trip and a prepared itinerary for the United States, this can also be very useful for you at passport control when entering the States. Later, you can always use some of them when you want to remember the different pleasant moments associated with your trip to the Grand Canyon.

9. Check the validity of all your bookings before you travel. About a week or two before your trip to the Grand Canyon, get the airline to confirm your plane tickets by phone or online, check with the car rental agency that your reservation is valid. Check again that the hotels you have booked are waiting for you and you can ask for a confirmation email. Also call or write to the agencies from which you booked tours or excursions, and make sure that everything is in order with your plans.

Recommendation: Before flying to the United States, be sure to check in advance all the airline's requirements for passengers when checking in for a flight and how much baggage you can carry with you. Find out if you will need to present your return ticket and hotel reservations before boarding the plane, and if you are traveling with children, you may be asked for permission from your spouse. Such requirements sometimes come as a surprise to tourists flying to America for the first time.

10. Pack your essentials for your trip to the Grand Canyon and prepare for your trip.

Bring comfortable clothes, comfortable trekking shoes and backpacks for day trips. The dress code in local restaurants is not strict, because you are going to nature, and not to a gala reception. Don't forget sunscreen and flasks for drinking water, regardless of the time of year, as well as a first aid kit and first aid supplies.

Here is a list of things to take with you on your trip to the US National Parks:

I also recommend downloading in advance detailed maps of individual US states with attractions, hotels, shops, restaurants, and gas stations for your navigator and make sure that it can fully work offline (keep in mind that mobile communications are limited in many parks) .

The USA has its own "Wonders of the World". And there are not seven of them, but many more. One of them is majestic and beautiful, mighty and terrible Grand Canyon(Grand Canyon). And even if you do not know anything about the US National Parks, about Yellowstone, for example, or about Rocky Mountain, then you have heard about the Grand Canyon at least once, but for sure. Anyone who comes to the western part of the states definitely heads to Arizona to see this pearl - Grand Canyon National Park!

Natural masterpiece, unique beauty Grand Canyon not to be missed on your trip to the USA. It is perfectly organized, thought out to the smallest detail - for extremals, for pensioners, for people with disabilities, it will be convenient for everyone to move around here, and even more interesting.

Some numbers

For 10 million years, the Colorado River washed out soft rocks, as a result of which it was formed. Just imagine that these are four geological eras! Water flows continue to deepen it today, while creating incredible stone structures. Today dimensions of the grand canyon are simply impressive: the width of the canyon at the level of the plateau ranges from 6 to 29 km, its length is 446 km, and in some places the depth reaches almost 2 km. The Grand Canyon National Park itself is located on a vast territory, which has an area of ​​\u200b\u200babout 5 thousand square kilometers.

Rapids, waterfalls, chaotic cliffs, unique flora and fauna, incredibly beautiful rocks of bizarre shapes - all this is a great canyon. Nature has personally created towers and pyramids, forts and other stone structures in these places. Many of the cliffs were even given original names. True, these names are late, already assigned by scientists and travelers. Probably the first to see the Grand Canyon, i.e. The Indians also gave them their names. It is a pity that in the rock carvings that were found by scientists, nothing is mentioned about this.

History of the Grand Canyon

The first to discover Grand Canyon, there were Europeans - members of the expedition of the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Coronado, who went down the river and came across this miracle of nature. But when they got to these places, they discovered that people had lived here for more than a millennium ago. These were the indigenous Pueblo and Cohonina. Their culture flourished beautifully for 1200 years. But what happened next, why they left the canyon, is not known. Probably due to climate change - a severe drought that forced people to look for better places to live. Before the arrival of Europeans in the Grand Canyon in the 16th century, the territory was inhabited by Indians who were forced to live on the reservation. Some of their tribes - the Havasupai, Navajo and Walapai - still live near the canyon.

The Americans began their research Grand Canyon in the 60s of the XIX century. At the same time, the first maps of the area were compiled and the first and main conclusion was made: “It seems that the Colorado River, created by nature, for the most part of its lonely path, will forever be majestic and unvisited!”. And they were right. At the end of the 19th century, this natural gem of the United States received the status of a National Forest Reserve, and already in 1919, the Grand Canyon became the 17th National Park in the United States. Today, the Grand Canyon is visited by about 4.5 million tourists a year.

What to see in the Grand Canyon?

Officially, the Grand Canyon is divided into two parts - north and south, and tourists usually go to its southern part, which is called Grand Canyon South Rome. On the territory of South Rim there are many hotels, campsites, restaurants that receive tourists all year round. Here is the center of tourist activity Grand Canyon Village(Grand Canyon Village). It is from this place that the path of the park originates. Bright Angel Trail (Bright Angel Trail).

The park has developed many trails (paths and routes), both on foot and on a free shuttle bus, which makes stops in the most interesting places . On the territory of the canyon there are several tourist centers that will help you decide on the route, as well as souvenir shops from which you can bring home a memorable gift. For more information about the canyon, visit Geological Museum(Yavapai Geology Museum), watch an interesting movie in Kolb Studio.

Each trail is unique. For example, Rim Trail, 20 km long, makes it possible to admire the canyon from a height. Trail of Time introduce you to the timestamps of the canyon, you will see the rocks, stones and minerals of the Grand Canyon, trace its history.

North Rim(Grand Canyon North Rim) is less popular with tourists due to the fact that from October to May the roads to it are covered with snow. Therefore, tourists are poisoned at this time of the year not by car, but by skiing or on foot. But it is very beautiful, although many objects are closed to the public in winter.

What else to do in the Grand Canyon?

Beyond Beauty Grand Canyon here you can get acquainted with the life of the Indians, in some places they even arrange theatrical shows for tourists. There is also an ancient ranch with horses and a layout of the city from the time of the "Gold Rush" with wooden houses and taverns - a real Wild West.

In the historical part Grand Canyon Village there is an ancient railway station and a wooden railway station, which operates to this day. In general, the village has many historical buildings, including the Bucky O'Neill House and the old El Tovar Hotel.

For 300-400 dollars, rent a helicopter and go on an air trip through the canyon. We advise extreme seekers to go on an inflatable boat on the Colorado River. A special tourist program has also been developed - descent to the bottom of the canyon on mules.

Viewpoints of the Grand Canyon

There are several of them here. You can move from one observation deck to another on a shuttle bus. In South Rim, lookouts are located along two routes: Hermits Rest Road and Desert View Drive. These are places where tourist centers and catering places, shops and campsites are located. There you can rest, spend the night and prepare for further exploration of the Grand Canyon. So, the first acquaintance with the Grand Canyon in the South Rim begins with Mather Point(Motherpoint). It offers endless panoramic views, radiating grandeur and tranquility, its colors. These yellow, orange, brown and red layers make the canyon look like a huge colorful cake.

WITH Trailview Overlook offers views of the village and the Bright Angel Trail. Observation deck Maricopa Point offers to consider the unusual rocky forms of the canyon, which nature itself masterfully created. Endless panoramic views of the labyrinths of the canyon opens Powell Point. WITH Hopi Point or Grandview Point it is customary to meet sunsets and sunrises, to watch how the gorge and the stream of the river play with colors, carrying stones and boulders. From the observation deck Ze Abbis you will see the canyon in a vertical section, all its depth. On Pima Point Great view of the Colorado River. It is so quiet there that you can even hear the river running.

The most popular site for tourists is skywalk(Skywalk) . It has the shape of a horseshoe and is made of glass. Walking along it, it seems that you are floating in the air above the canyon. An exciting spectacle! But it is paid ($ 90), besides, it is forbidden to take pictures and shoot on it.

Tourist Information

• - You can get to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas or Phoenix airports by transferring to a domestic flight to the Grand Canyon National Airport (in the village of Tusayan). Also, travel companies in these cities offer bus trips to South Rim and North Rim. From the city of Williams, you can also take the train to the Grand Canyon Village, which runs daily.
• - You can stay in the Grand Canyon in one of the hotels by booking it on the corresponding website.
• - if you are traveling to the Grand Canyon by car, you will have to pay $25 to enter the canyon. The ticket is valid for a week and includes both parts of the canyon. Entrance for hikers and cyclists - $12. Children under 15 are admitted free.
• - Free shuttle buses run along the South Rim, which stop at the points indicated in the routes (usually at viewing platforms). Between South Rim and North Rim, the bus runs once a day. The one-way trip is 4.5 hours, and the ticket is booked in advance.

Grand Canyon in the USA- a unique phenomenon of nature, to observe which the honor fell to man. This is exactly the place on Earth where nature shows its power and beauty, its greatness and eternity, compared to a short human life. This miracle of nature in the USA cannot be ignored!

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Of course the Grand Canyon! Oddly enough, it is the main attraction of the national park. But what is the best way to do this? Maps, diagrams and a free shuttle will come to our aid, which will take you to all the best viewing points of the canyon.

Routes, viewpoints, trails

In the Grand Canyon, shuttles run on four routes:

1 Village Route- route along the Grand Canyon Village, designed to collect tourists from all places of residence in the village (camping sites, lodges) and deliver them to the buses to the canyon itself.

2. Kaibab / Rim Route- a route for viewing the eastern part of the Rim Trail. This bus can take you to the following points:

3. Hermits Rest Route- Grand Canyon West route (available from March 1 to November 30):

trailview overlook- observation deck, view of the Bright Angel Trail;

Maricopa Point- Observation deck;

Powell Point- Powell memorial, river view;

Hopi Point- observation deck overlooking the river;

Mohave Point- observation deck, river view;

The Abyss;

Monument Creek Vista;

Pima Point;

4. Tusayan Route- this route brings tourists who settled outside the village to Grand Canyon Village: the bus goes to the city of Tasayan with several stops. Runs only in the summer from 8:00 to 21:45. So, if you are planning a visit to the park in the summer, it is only reasonable to consider this city as an alternative to camping or lodges in the village itself.

Detailed route map of free shuttles:

Click to enlarge

Buses start running an hour before dawn and end an hour after sunset. Until 6:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. on some routes) they run every half an hour, and then they start running every 10-15 minutes. In the evening, the interval again increases to 30 minutes.

What to see in the Grand Canyon in 1-2 days

Americans love to spend their holidays in nature with the whole family, so they often come to national parks for vacations for a week or two. Tourists, on the other hand, generally set goals for themselves to visit as many sights as possible and devote one or two days to each of them. All natural parks in the United States are very different, but in the case of the Grand Canyon, this time, in our opinion, is quite enough, because the Grand Canyon is equally beautiful from all sides!

So, what to do in the Grand Canyon if you only have 1-2 days left:

• Meet the sunrise at Yaki Point or at Mather Point, Grandview Point (this point can only be reached by car).
• Ride the shuttle along the Rim Trail viewpoints. Choose a part of the trail for walking.
• Walk along the Trail of Time historical path (about 2 km of the history of the formation of the canyon) and go to the geological museum.
• Walk along the Greenway trail, adding some greenery to the picture of what is happening.
• Watch the sunset over the canyon.
• Drive a car along Desert View Road, stopping at observation points, to the observation tower.
• Or you can rent bicycles and ride the entire southern part of the canyon, saving a lot of time!

Be sure to know in advance Sunrise and sunset times at the Grand Canyon for your dates. If you miss these moments, you will deprive yourself of the most beautiful views! This information is easy to find on the Internet.

What to do if you have more time

What a score! Here are some other things you can do in the Grand Canyon:

go to trails (all or choose from): South Kaibab trail, Bright Angel trail (the longest (about 20 km in both directions) and winding trail), Hermit trail, Dripping Spring trail (high level of difficulty, big ascents and descents);

cross the canyon to the north side of the North Rim (for the most courageous: requires serious advance preparation and obtaining a permit);

ride on mules;

rafting on the Colorado River (extreme level, takes several days).

Information on types of entertainment can be obtained at the Visitor Center in the Grand Canyon Village, and excursions can be booked at numerous tour desks, for example, in Tasayan.

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