VISIT THE GRAND CANYON
Grand Canyon West Zip Line
RAFT, HIKE, ZIP OR FLY
Grand Canyon West is where all the action is. Located 90 minutes from Peach Springs, Arizona, on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, it is loaded with activities that would make any adrenaline junkie’s head spin. Take a whitewater-rafting trip down the Colorado River’s rapids with an experienced guide. Choose one or two-day rafting trips, which include hiking at Travertine Falls, lunch along the banks of the river and a helicopter ride back to Grand Canyon West. If touring the Grand Canyon by air is more your speed, consider a helicopter ride or fixed-wing airplane tour. Keep up the pace, (40 mph), with the Zip Line at Grand Canyon West. Soar 1,000 feet above the floor of a side canyon with views of rugged terrain. The attraction has two sets of zip lines allowing up to four people to experience this thrill ride simultaneously. It’s open March 14 thru October 31.
After the zip lining, you may be ready to try “walking the sky.” The Skywalk at Eagle Point is a 10-foot-wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge offering 360-degree views of the western rim. The Skywalk extends 70 feet out over the rim of the Canyon and the glass-bottom floor lets you peer down 4,000 feet below. For those who are afraid of heights, fear not, we have been told that the Skywalk is strong enough to bear the weight of 70 passenger jets. Overnight accommodations are available at Hualapai Ranch and Hualapai Lodge. Hualapai Ranch is located inside the Grand Canyon West recreation area, while the Lodge is in Peach Springs, Arizona, on historic Route 66. A third option is the Grand Canyon Western Ranch, just 2 miles outside Grand Canyon West. This working cattle ranch offers pine cabins, sleeping tip is (seasonal), western entertainment, helicopter flights and horseback rides. Grand Canyon West and Hualapai Ranch, 1-888-868-WEST or visit grandcanyonwest.com. Canyon Western Ranch, 800-798-0569 or grandcanyonwesternranch.com.
Boats under the Kaibab Suspension Bridge at the Grand Canyon
ARCHITECTURE, HISTORY & NATIVE AMERICAN ART – LOOKOUT STUDIO, HOPI HOUSE, & DESERT VIEW WATCH TOWER
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is located south of Mather Point at the South Rim. Here you will find the Historic District with several buildings dating back to the early 1900s. During that time, famed architect Mary Colter designed Lookout Studio, Hopi House and the Desert View Watchtower. Lookout Studio was built on a rock ledge suspended over the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It currently operates as a gift shop and observation station equipped with telescopes on its outdoor terrace. The Hopi House was built in 1904 and is located near the El Tovar Hotel. This building was also designed by Mary Colter as a living museum for the Hopi. It was their home as well as an artisan studio where they made and sold their crafts. Desert View Watchtower is another architectural marvel. This unusual stone tower is 70-feet high with five floors and resembles the original Anasazi watchtowers. Inside the tower, colorful murals adorn the walls created by Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie. Climb 85 steps to a 360 degree observation deck for the most majestic views of the Grand Canyon. Lookout Studio, Hopi House and Desert View Watchtower, for more information visit nps.gov.
Desert View Watchtower
HIKING ADVENTURE
Hiking may not be as easy as you think. The National Park Service warns against hiking from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially during the months of May to September. Rule of thumb: if it takes five hours to descend down the Canyon, figure it will take you twice as long to climb up. Bring lots of water. Hikers tend to overestimate their ability and underestimate the Grand Canyon. Bright Angel Trail is the park’s most popular rim-to-river route, (9.3 miles). Allow four or five hours to get to Bright Angel Campground. This trail offers spectacular views, rest houses, water (seasonal) and shade at Indian Garden. Every turn on the switchbacks brings another beautiful view as you drop deeper into the canyon. It’s approximately 8 miles to the Colorado River and another 1.5 miles to Bright Angel Campground. Day hikers can turn around at the mile-and-a-half or 3-mile rest houses, Indian Garden or Plateau Point. Backpackers can camp at Indian Garden or Bright Angel campgrounds. Permits are required for both.
Shoshone Point Trail makes for a short out-and-back hike with stellar views. It’s recommended by the folks at the Grand Canyon National Park as a great place to explore and it’s off the beaten path. This trail is not difficult, but watch out for the loose rock and narrow ledges towards the end of Shoshone Point, especially if you take children along. The trail starts at a gate and unsigned parking pullout just west of mile marker 246 on Desert View Drive. Follow the level dirt road for a little less than a mile. Crossing the plateau, you will hike through a wooded area covered with ponderosa pines, until you reach the overlook. Here you can catch a view of the eastern Grand Canyon. You should be able to identify many landmarks including Desert View Watchtower, Vishnu Temple and Horseshoe Mesa. This is also a great place to watch the sunset. Bring a headlamp for the hike back. Bright Angel Trail & Shoshone Point Trail, for more information visit nps.gov.
Pink Jeep Tours
CATCH A FEW HIGHLIGHTS IN A DAY
If you only have one day to experience the Grand Canyon, take a ride in a Pink Jeep with an interpretive guide and visit historic landmarks and lookout points. Pink Jeep Tours offers a variety of tours. “All of our guides love the Grand Canyon and feel that it is a privilege showing the canyon to first-timers,” says Rob MacMullan, content manager. “Our tours are designed to give you just a taste of the Grand Canyon and hopefully you will return to see more.” Pink Jeep also offers sunset tours, perfect for a romantic evening. Pink Jeep Tours, call 1-800-873-3662 or visit pinkadventuretours.com.
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
WHEN TO GO & WHY
APRIL: PARTY TIME!
Skip the Entry Fee! On April 20, in honor the National Park Week, visitors will be admitted to the park for free. Typically there is a $35 fee for admission to the North and South Rim. Expect larger than normal crowds (6.2 million visit on average). There may still be other fees depending on your activities. National Park Week, for more information visit nps.gov/grca/getinvolved/2019-centennial-events.htm.
JUNE: SUMMERFEST
The Centennial Summerfest and Star Party happen simultaneously on June 22-29. During the day, the festivities begin at the Visitor Center Plaza with demonstrations by Native American tribes as well as educational activities centered around the Grand Canyon. A sampling of Arizona food and brews are available at the celebration. The party continues at night under the star-filled sky. Learn from astronomers who offer free educational programs as well as telescope viewings of the planets, stars and Milky Way. It’s a fun and informative event for the entire family. Centennial Celebration Events, June 22-29. For more information call 928-638-7888 or visit grandcanyon.org.
SEPTEMBER: CELEBRATION OF ART
Celebration of Art is a wonderful tradition at Grand Canyon National Park. This year’s 11th Annual Celebration of Art takes place during the Grand Canyon National Park’s Centennial on Sept. 7-15. “The Grand Canyon inspires artists, musicians, writers and poets and the Celebration of Art at Grand Canyon allows visitors to experience the canyon in ways words cannot express,” says Mindy Riesenberg, director of marketing and communications at the Grand Canyon Conservancy. “Art is a natural partner to our nation’s parks. It makes us see things in new ways, and allows us to explore and discover these special places even if we can’t get there.” This year, the Celebration of Art features 30 well-known artists who will participate in a plein-air competition. Afterwards, the artists’ work will be shown alongside studio-produced pieces at the historic Kolb Studio in an exhibition and sale until Jan. 20, 2020. Celebration Of Art, for more information visit grandcanyon.org.
WHERE TO STAY
UNDER THE COVERS
After all the excitement you’ve experienced throughout the day, we are certain that sleeping is next on your agenda. A 25-minute drive from the South Rim we found Under Canvas – a glamp-round! Glamping is a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. All you need is your backpack. In case you haven’t heard the term before, glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping.” It describes a style of camping with all the amenities and resort-style services that you wouldn’t find with traditional camping. “The Under Canvas experience is about being outside together,” says May Lilley, vice president of marketing for Under Canvas. “We love being a bridge to the outdoors for people who quite frankly really don’t want to rough it. Glamping to us means an incredible outdoor camping experience that is beautiful, comfortable and incredibly memorable.” Under Canvas is a safari-style resort, situated on 160 acres of pinon and juniper forest, with a staff to assist you 24 hours a day. The owners are adamant about being eco-friendly and have a goal to produce zero waste by 2020. Experience the comforts of home by sleeping on a king bed and plush mattress. Several of the tents are equipped with full bathrooms. Pricing is based on the amenities you choose. No minimum stay is required. Under Canvas, book online at undercanvas.com.
Glamping suite tent
SOUTH RIM LODGING AND CAMPING
There are a few great South Rim hotel and lodging options in the park itself. These accommodations typically need to be reserved close to a year in advance. For first-time backpackers in Grand Canyon National Park, the most popular place to spend a few nights is either Bright Angel or Indian Garden Campground. Both campgrounds can be accessed by Bright Angel Trail, have established campsites and are staffed by helpful park rangers. Cottonwood trees shade Bright Angel Campground and the creek nearby is a wonderful place to cool off. Popular activities include relaxing, stargazing and fishing (license required). A backcountry permit is required. Phantom Ranch is a historic oasis nestled at the bottom of Grand Canyon along the Colorado River. One of the reasons people want to hike to the bottom is to experience the Canyon’s solitude. It’s one of the best places to connect to nature. The only way to access Phantom Ranch is by foot trails or rafting on the Colorado River. Overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch consist of dormitory spaces and cabins, which are heated in winter and cooled during the summer months. Reservations are made through a lottery. Expect a year-and-a-half wait. Phantom Ranch, call 888-297-2757 or visit grandcanyonlodges.com.
Glamping safari interior
If camping or glamping is not for you, check out El Tovar Hotel. This landmark retains its elegant charm and is widely considered the crown jewel of Historic National Park Lodges. This hotel resembles a rustic western lodge, with 78 rooms; no two are alike, each have their own charm. Located directly on the canyon rim, El Tovar features a fine dining room (see our Restaurant Spotlight at sedonamonthly.com), lounge and gift shop. El Tovar Hotel, call 928-638-2631 or visit grandcanyonlodges.com. One mile from the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance is the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon. This hotel resembles a sprawling three-story chalet with the perfect blend of rustic and modern design. Inside you will find two dining choices with live entertainment nightly. Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, call 888-634-7263 or visit grandcanyongrandhotel.com.
WHERE TO GO
Grand Canyon park-ranger-guided hike to Cedar Ridge
TO THE SOUTH:
Located North of Flagstaff, the South Rim is considered by many to be the “true” Grand Canyon. Open year-round, it is the place with beautiful views and family-oriented activities. Many Grand Canyon tours, such as jeep, airplane, helicopter and rafting tours originate from Tusayan. The South Rim offers more than two dozen viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, each with their own unique attributes. Here you will find historic sites, hiking, lodging and a large variety of things to see and do.
TO THE WEST:
Grand Canyon West is located on the Hualapai Indian Tribal Lands near Peach Springs and is not a part of Grand Canyon National Park. It is owned and operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. Grand Canyon West is most accessible from Las Vegas, Nevada. Here you will find the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Hualapai Ranch, Guano Point and the zip line as well as a variety of action-packed activities.
TO THE EAST:
To the East are Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. The East Rim is not an official designation by the National Park Service, but it is considered a must-see destination.
TO THE NORTH:
The North Rim is the closest to Utah. The entrance is 30 miles south of Jacob Lake, on Highway 67. The actual rim of the Grand Canyon with visitor services is an additional 14 miles south. The North Rim is a part of the National Park, but is very different from the South Rim in terms of visitation, altitude and terrain. It is open from mid-May through mid-October and closed the rest of the time due of heavy snowfall during the winter months. While the South Rim reveals the depth of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim helps you understand its width. Hiking, sightseeing and ranger-led programs are the primary activities offered at the North Rim.
