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Bringing you the best in Grand Canyon travel information!
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Welcome to our Grand Canyon trip and vacation planner. Here you will find comprehensive
information about traveling to the Grand Canyon.
Use this menu or scroll down for more detailed information
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:: Destinations
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The first part of planning your Grand Canyon Vacation is choosing a
Grand Canyon Destination. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and there
is so much to see along those 277 miles.
The South Rim
Over 3 million people per year visit the South Rim. It is the most
developed part of the Grand Canyon and it is within the Grand Canyon
National Park. It has a wide selection of Grand Canyon Lodging and
Grand Canyon Tours available to it. 2 of the 3 most traveled Grand
Canyon hiking trails originate at the South Rim.
Get more information about the South Rim
The North Rim
Approximately 750,000 people visit the North Rim. It is less developed
than the South Rim but it also is ideal for those who would prefer
fewer corwds and a more pristine environment. The North Rim of the
Grand Canyon is also located within the Grand Canyon National Park.
There are Grand Canyon Hotels and Grand Canyon Tours available for the
North Rim however they are limited and the North Rim closes from
mid-October through mid-May.
Get more information about the North Rim
The West Rim
The West Rim is a relatively newly developed area of the Grand Canyon.
Approximately 500,000 people a year visit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The West Rim is operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. The Hualapai Indian
Reservation borders the Grand Canyon National Park. Most of the Grand
Canyon Lodging and Tours to the West Rim are located in Las Vegas.
Get more information about the West Rim
View our Grand Canyon Trip Planner for more information
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:: Activities
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There are a plethora of activities to experience in the Grand Canyon.
They range from easy and relaxing to wild and adventurous. Make sure
you know what you are getting yourself into before signing up for an
activity.
Grand Canyon Ground Tours
There are a variety of bus, van and jeep tours from areas in and around
the Grand Canyon. Taking a Grand Canyon Tour is highly encouraged
because the roads throughout the Grand Canyon areas are often quite
confusing to visitors. Tour guides have a better understanding of the
area and can get you to the best viewpoints possible.
On top of that, due to the high volume of visitors at the Grand Canyon
every year, the lines to get into the Grand Canyon National Park can
be quite long. Tour companies have access to alternate lines which
can turn a 2 hour wait into a 15 minute wait or less. The best advice
anyone can give you is to let a tour company be your portal to the
Grand Canyon.
Get more information about Grand Canyon Ground Tours
Grand Canyon Air Tours
One of the best ways to see how expansive the Grand Canyon really can be, is
to take a Grand Canyon Air Tour. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long while the various
viewpoints at the Grand Canyon only show a small portion of that. If you really
want to see the true splendor of this Natural Wonder, then take a flight tour.
Grand Canyon Flights come in the form of helicopter or airplane and each of the
flight companies have very strict safety regulations to ensure and fun and safe
flight over the Grand Canyon.
Get more information about Grand Canyon Air Tours
Grand Canyon River Tours
What could be better than to really get into the heart of the Grand Canyon where
the Colorado River brings life to this land? Grand Canyon River Rafting Trips
are some of the most exciting adventures you can do at the Grand Canyon. They range
from shorter 1 day trips to more than a week.
Get more information about Grand Canyon River Rafting Tours
Grand Canyon Camping and Hiking
Thousands of people per year choose to come and hike the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon
hikes range from short comfortable hikes to grueling 12 hour hikes. If you plan on
hiking the Grand Canyon, you should first look into a hiking tour. Hiking Tours have
experienced guides which know which Grand Canyon trails to take and how to handle
emergency situations. Thay can also tell you some of the history of the Grand Canyon
and point out the Indian Ruins along the trails.
Get more information about Grand Canyon Camping, Hiking and Trails
View our Grand Canyon Trip Planner for more information
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:: When to come
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This page will give you some general information on good times of the year
to visit the Grand Canyon. Everybody likes different weather conditions
and temperatures, so we won't tell you when you should plan your trip,
but we will give you some general Grand Canyon information to help you
make an informed decision.
The "busy" season
Somewhere between 5-6 million people a year visit the Grand Canyon. Most
of them come during certain months. Summer is the peak season for the
Grand Canyon. July is by far the busiest month for Grand Canyon visitors,
but the busy season is from mid-May through mid-September.
There are also several busy weeks or weekends. These are primarily during
holidays.
* Between Christmas and New Years can be the busiest time at the
Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon staff is often seasonal and this week can
be exceptionally frustrating due to the fact that many of them are gone
during this busy week which creates long lines at the Grand Canyon National
Park entrance.
* Spring Break is a busy week due to schools being out for the week. Many families
plan trips to the Grand Canyon during Spring Break.
* Thanksgiving can have a small spike at the Grand Canyon but most of the time, it's
slow enough to not be bothersome.
* Any and all summer holidays including 4th of July, Labor Day and Memorial Day, are some
of the busiest times at the Grand Canyon.
Solutions to avoiding the crowds
Even during the busiest seasons, you can avoid the long lines and crowds. We will give
you some tips on how to do that.
* Book a tour. Booking with one of the Grand Canyon tour companies can be a vacation saving experience.
The tour companies have access to better parking and quicker lines at the Grand Canyon National
Park. They also know which Grand Canyon viewpoints are the least crowded with the best views.
View Grand Canyon Tour Company Information.
* If you plan on going yourself to the Grand Canyon National Park, here's a few things to recommend:
1. Avoid "Mather Point". It's the first viewpoint everybody stops at when entering the Grand Canyon
National Park and it is by far the busiest. Less than a mile beyond Mather Point is Yavapai Point which
is just as good of a view with 1/4 of the crowds.
2. Use the East Entrance and avoid the South Entrance. This is only good if you are staying in Flagstaff,
Williams or Sedona. The East Entrance will save you anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours in line.
Visit How To Get to the Grand Canyon for information on directions to the East
Entrance.
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:: Temperatures
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Below is some averages for the temperature high in the area. All temperatures are in degrees Farenheit
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Month
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South Rim
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North Rim
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Inner Gorge
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Flagstaff
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Williams
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Sedona
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Las Vegas
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Phoenix
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Jan
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41
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37
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56
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43
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46
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56
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57
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65
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Feb
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45
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39
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63
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46
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49
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61
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63
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69
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Mar
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51
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44
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71
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50
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53
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65
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69
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74
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Apr
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60
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53
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83
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58
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61
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73
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78
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83
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May
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70
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62
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91
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68
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69
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82
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88
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92
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Jun
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81
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73
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101
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79
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80
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93
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99
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102
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Jul
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84
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77
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106
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82
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83
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97
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104
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104
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Aug
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81
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75
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103
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80
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81
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94
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102
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102
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Sep
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76
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69
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98
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74
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75
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88
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94
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97
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Oct
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65
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59
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86
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63
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65
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77
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81
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86
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Nov
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52
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46
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68
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51
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54
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64
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66
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73
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Dec
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43
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40
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57
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44
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47
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57
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57
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65
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The Grand Canyon tends to get the most rain between mid-July and mid-September and the most snowfall between
mid-January and mid-March.
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:: Where to stay
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The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long. It ranges from Lees Ferry up near the city of
Page, Arizona, and continues to Grand Wash Fault near Lake Mead where it ends. There
are several towns and cities in this long stretch which can serve as your portals
to the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon and Tusayan, Arizona
First and closest is staying inside the Grand Canyon National Park itself or in
the town of Tusayan which is 1 mile outside the Grand Canyon National Park entrance.
This provides the closest lodging to the Grand Canyon South Rim. If you want to be a
walk or short drive from the South Rim, this is definitely your best choice. The only
thing to note is that lodging inside the Grand Canyon National Park often requires
reservations months in advance during peak season (May-August).
To get to the Grand Canyon and Tusayan:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 231 miles north.
2. Fly via U.S. Airways/America West to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and drive 81 miles north.
3. Fly via private or charter aircraft to Grand Canyon airport in Tusayan, 1 mile south
of the National park entrance.
Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona
Next option to stay is the Flagstaff and Williams areas. Both Flagstaff and Williams are
gateway cities to the Grand Canyon. Many people stay in these cities because they are
close to the Grand Canyon but also service many other activities throughout Northern
Arizona such as Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest, the Painted
Desert, Sedona, and much more.
To get to Flagstaff and Williams:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 151 miles north.
2. Fly via U.S. Airways/America West to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and drive 81 miles north.
Note: Williams is located 35 miles west of Flagstaff.
Sedona, Arizona
A very popular location is Sedona. Sedona was voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America"
by USA Weekend magazine. Many agree that Sedona is a must see if you are staying
in Northern Arizona. Sleeping among the "Red Rocks" is an experience of a lifetime.
Even if you don't stay in Sedona, it's worth the effort to visit.
To get to Sedona:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and drive 115 miles north.
2. Fly via private or charter aircraft to Sedona Airport.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a popular city to get to the Grand Canyon because of it's major airport and
other attractions associated with Las Vegas. One of the big benefits of staying in Las
Vegas is most tours from Las Vegas include a stop at the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is a
very interesting piece of Arizona and is definitely worth the stop.
To get to Las Vegas:
1. Fly to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is a destination due to it's inexpensive airfare and lodging. Most visitors which
arive through Phoenix drive up to Flagstaff and take a tour or drive the 4 hour drive to
the Grand Canyon themselves.
To get to Phoenix:
1. Fly to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
View hotel
information in these areas.
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:: How
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To get to the Grand Canyon can be easy or difficult depending on how informed you are.
Here is a map to help you understand the area.
Now, remember that there are several different cities you could come to. Go to our
"Where to stay around the Grand Canyon" page for more
information. Once you've found the city you want to stay in we'll show you some
tricks to avoid the crowds.
Tip #1: Take a tour. Tour companies know where they are going, know how to avoid the
crowds and have special parking permits at many of the viewpoints. The best advice anyone
can give is to take a tour.
Grand Canyon Tour Information.
Tip #2: If you insist on going yourself, avoid the South Entrance during peak seasons.
The South Entrance can have anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hour waits. On the map, the
South Entrance is where the town of Tusayan is located.
Click here to learn more about the peak seasons.
Tip #3: When visiting the South Rim, use the East Entrance. To get to the East Entrance,
take 89 North East towards Cameron. Turn left on Highway 64 towards the Grand Canyon in
Cameron. This will take you to the East Entrance. Lines here are much shorter than at
the South Entrance. You can go in the East Entrance and out the South Entrance to make
a big loop across the Grand Canyon.
Tip #4: The North Rim is less crowded than the South Rim. It also happens to be harder to
get to and less developed but can be a good alternative during the summer months. The North
Rim is closed during Winter months due to weather conditions.
Tip #5: The West Rim is an alternative to the South Rim if you are staying in Las Vegas.
Many Las Vegas Tour Companies visit the West Rim near Lake Mead to avoid the crowds and
make the drive shorter. The West Rim is not quite as expansive as the South Rim but it's
still quite beautiful.
For more maps of the Grand Canyon, visit our Grand Canyon Maps Page.
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:: What to do
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There are plenty of activities in the Grand Canyon. Here are a list of a few you might want to look into.
Ground Tours
There are several tour companies based around the Grand Canyon area. Tour guides help you get to know the
area a lot better as well as take the stress off of trying to drive around the Grand Canyon's confusing
road system.
Get more informaiton about Grand Canyon Ground Tours
Air Tours
You can take a flight over the Grand Canyon or down into the Grand Canyon. There are several plane and
helicopter companies in the Grand Canyon area and Las Vegas. Air tours give you the best possible views
of the Grand Canyon. You get to see how expansive the Grand Canyon really is.
Get more informaiton about Grand Canyon Flight Tours
River Tours
You can take a river trip down the Grand Canyon. Rafting the Grand Canyon is unlike any experience you've
ever had. River trips range from 1 day to several weeks inside the Grand Canyon. To truely get in and explore
the Grand Canyon, go into the heart of it. River trips start in Flagstaff or Las Vegas only.
Get more informaiton about Grand Canyon River Rafting Tours
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Hiking the Grand Canyon can be an awesome and somewhat difficult experience. There are several trail systems
in the Grand Canyon. Make sure you take the necessary precautions when hiking the Grand Canyon as it's a
very strenuous hike. We often recommend taking a hiking tour in the Grand Canyon as the guides can help you
with your experience.
Get more informaiton about Grand Canyon Hiking
Mule Rides
A very popular thing to do in the Grand Canyon is to take the Mules down to the bottom. It takes a lot of work
off of hiking the Grand Canyon but it can also have you leaving walking funny. And best of all, it's extremely
safe. Mule rides range from 1 day excursions to 2 day trips with overnight stay at Phantom Ranch. There are also
trips to Havasu Falls near the West Rim.
Much Much More...
There are several other things to do around the Grand Canyon. Click here to learn about
other activities around the Grand Canyon area.
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:: Other Activities
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This page will show you other activities to do in the Grand Canyon area.
Sedona
Sedona was voted the "Most Beautiful Place in America" by USA Weekend Magazine
and once you see it you will know why. The beautiful Red Rocks make this
experience an almost spiritual one. If you are going to be in the area, you
should see Sedona.
More Sedona Information to come...
Hoover Dam
If you are going to be in the Las Vegas area, make sure you stop by the Hoover
Dam. It has a wealth of information about Northern Arizona and Nevada. You'll
be suprised at what you learn.
More Hoover Dam information to come...
Sunset Crater
Sunset Crater was the most recent volcanic eruption in Northern Arizona. It's
located on the outskirts of Flagstaff. You can drive right up to the crater
where you can see beautiful views of the volcano and surrounding areas.
More Sunset Crater information to come...
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is where we discovered Pluto. They do viewings through the
telescope into space regularly. Lowell Observatory is located in Flagstaff.
More Lowell Observatory information to come...
Arizona Snowbowl
The Arizona Snowbowl is a ski resort just outside of Flagstaff. I bet you didn't
know we have skiing in Arizona. During the winter months, it is open for skiing
and during the summer months they do scenic ski-lift rides where you can see
all across Northern Arizona.
More Arizona Snowbowl information to come...
Meteor Crater
Meteor Crater was the most recent meteor strike in North America. It's located East
of Flagstaff and is quite an interesting site to see.
More Meteor Crater information to come...
Montezuma's Castle
Located just south of Sedona are the Montezuma's Castle Indian Ruins. Did you know that
the Sinagua and Anasazi Indians which lived in this region built apartment complexes
way before we starting building such structures ourselves?
More Montezuma Castle infromation to come...
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:: Accessibility
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Many of the Grand Canyon facilities date back over 100 years. As of that time
there weren't the standards there are today, however with some assistance, they
still can be accessible. A copy of the Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility
Guide is available on the South Rim at Canyon View Center, Yavapai Observation
Station, Kolb Studio, Tusayan Museum, and Desert View Information Center and on
the North Rim at the Visitor Center. Or write for a copy:
Accessibility Guide
PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
While the park service is constantly making improvements, the terrain at the Grand
Canyon is rough and rugged. People requiring wheelchairs or someone with a visual
imparement often need assistance in navigating the Grand Canyon area as railings
and protective walls are intermittent.
The Golden Access Passport, available at Canyon View Center, Desert View Information
Center, Tusayan Museum, and the North Rim Visitor Center waives entrance fees for
permanently disabled individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the
United States.
The National Park Service provides wheelchairs for temporary day use by park
visitors free of charge. You can get one on the South Rim at the Canyon View
Center and at the North Rim at the Visitors Center and Grand Canyon Lodge.
Most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs on the South Rim, however you can
call 928-638-2631 for a wheelchair accessible shuttle. 48 hour notice required. A
temporary accessibility permit is available at the park entrance for access to shuttle
only areas via private vehicle.
Many tour companies in the surrounding Grand Canyon areas are wheelchair accessible.
Visit our Grand Canyon Van and Bus Tour page for more
information.
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This page contains information about:
Grand Canyon National Park :: Grand Canyon Information :: Grand Canyon Hotels :: Grand Canyon Tours :: Grand Canyon Vacation :: Grand Canyon Lodging :: Grand Canyon Weather :: Grand Canyon South Rim :: Grand Canyon North Rim :: Grand Canyon Map
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