One of the most unique landscapes in the world can be found at the Grand Canyon National Park, which is in Arizona, US. The mighty Colorado River has carved its way through the landscape for millions of years, which has resulted in a canyon that is up to 6,000 feet deep in places and up to 18 miles wide.
South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is internationally famous and attracts up to 5 million visitors a year who come to sample this crown jewel of the national park system. Designated a World Heritage Site, the South Rim is home to 50 species of reptiles, 300 different bird species, 75 species of mammals and 25 fish species, some of which can only be found locally.
South Rim Road Trip
Parts of the area can be quite inaccessible. The South Rim, however, is the easiest to access because of its excellent roadways. On arrival, there’s a large selection of activities that visitors can take part in. By far the easiest way to enjoy the scenery is to take the 35-mile, rim-top drive, which lets you see Powell Memorial, Desert Watchtower and other iconic landmarks.
El Tovar Hotel, South Rim, Grand Canyon
For visitors wanting to spend more time in the area, there is an excellent selection of lodgings available, both within and outside the Park in Tusayan. These accommodations fill up quickly, often up to a year in advance, so booking ahead of time is essential. For visitors who want to sample the outdoor life, there are a variety of campgrounds from which to choose. The most popular is Mather Campground, where campsites are reserved online or over the phone on a first come, first served basis.
Grand Canyon Lodging
The South Rim is loaded with excellent facilities like those found in the Historic District such as El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, the Bucky O’Neil Cabins, and the Grand Canyon Train Station. There’s an excellent visitor center near Mather Point. Market Plaza near the Shrine of Ages boasts a general store and deli, post office, bank and a cafeteria
The North Rim is far more inaccessible, but rewards the visitor with spectacular, unspoilt scenery. There are various half day and overnight hiking and walking trails that lead to the regions many fantastic natural landmarks. Lodging and camping is limited and open only during the summer months. It’s best to call ahead for a reservation. The rim is closed during winter due to its altitude and extreme weather conditions.
Grand Canyon Weather
Any visitors arriving at the National Park (especially for hiking) should always check in with the backcountry office and scan the weather forecasts carefully. During spring and fall, the weather can be quite unpredictable with rapid changes. Temperatures in the high parts of the South Rim are quite pleasant during the summer, but are hot as you hike down to he bottom of the canyon. The North Rim has cooler temperatures due to its high-altitude. During winter, the weather conditions in the South Rim can be quite extreme with snow and ice at times; the North Rim, as noted earlier, is closed from November to April.
Helicopter Tour, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
There is a good choice of guided tours available, as well as activities such as 1-day, smooth-water rafting tours, helicopter flights and airplane tours. The float trips are seasonal and run from April to November. Helicopter and plane trips fly 365 days a year. I highly recommend reserving all these trips beforehand as they are extremely popular and do sell out.
Canyon Time!
Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park will give any visitor a memorable vacation. With the area’s unique landscape and wildlife, there are new experiences to be found around virtually every corner. Much of the area has excellent communication links as well as an excellent selection of accommodations to make the whole visit the experience of a lifetime.
