Travel Arizona's Awe Inspiring Wonder of the World, the Grand Canyon
It's the crown jewel of the southwest, and perhaps of North America. The Grand Canyon is something that needs to be seen to be appreciated fully. A great trip to the Arizona canyon can include a multi day road trip around the rim, hiking from the South Rim to North Rim, or even rafting the Colorado River. The red, white and orange hues at sunset and sunrise are something not to be missed for photographers and any outdoor traveler.
Photo by mandj98 on flickr, licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.
Grand Canyon Facts and Information
The geological marvel of Arizona's Grand Canyon
Photo by L. Brumm Photography, licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.
- The Grand Canyon was formed over approximatley 6 million years by the Colroado River.
- The canyon is 277 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide at some points.
- Garcia Lopez de Cardenas was the first known European to visit the canyon in 1540.Bald eagles have been known to nest in the canyon walls during winter months. Read more about the Bald Eagles in the Grand Canyon here.
- The Grand Canyon game preserve was established on November 28, 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
- The park was declared a National Monument on January 11, 1908, and a National Park on February 26, 1919.
- The park is home to 34 mammal species.
- Over 600 people have died in the canyon, from drowning, airplane crashes, exhaustion and stroke.
- The Grand Canyon Skywalk opened in 2007, a glass structure over the Grand Canyon which extends 66 feet beyond the edge.
The Current Weather in Grand Canyon National Park
Five day forecast and current conditions
Current weather conditions in Grand Canyon, AZ (86023)
Local Pollen Reports
5°F (Feels like -3°F)
Last update: 12/31/09 10:54 PM MST
Humidity: 72%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: -1°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.41in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 5mph From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 5°F
Sunrise: 7:40 AM
Sunset: 5:25 PM
Friday
Jan 1
N/A
High: 39°F
Low: 8°F
Sunrise: 7:40 AM
Sunset: 5:26 PM
Saturday
Jan 2
Partly Cloudy
High: 42°F
Low: 11°F
Sunrise: 7:40 AM
Sunset: 5:26 PM
Sunday
Jan 3
Sunny
High: 40°F
Low: 12°F
Sunrise: 7:40 AM
Sunset: 5:27 PM
The Complete Guide to the Grand Canyon
The * BEST * Guide to the Grand Canyon - Period.
One of the best reasons to get this book, not just for the content, is its size. It's the perfect size for travel, but also is the most thorough. Hiking, mule rides, canyon flyovers, and sightseeing in general are gone in-depth by the author in great detail... useful detail you can use every step of the way. As one reviewer put it, "It actually felt like the other two guides that I bought for my trip were written by people sitting behind a computer in an office who hadn't been to the Grand Canyon in years, while this guide reads like the author is sitting on a rock perched over the Colorado River sharing his insight to friends. I loved this guide and can't recommend it enough."
Grand Canyon, The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 01/01/2010)
Used Price: $13.34
With a large number of beautiful, high-quality color photographs, this guide is as browsable as the best coffee table books but also supplies travelers with maps, travel tips, and extensive listings for lodging, camping, and sightseeing. From river rafting to scenic fly-overs, the Grand Canyon offers a plethora of potential activities-but without careful planning, a trip to this popular national park can be overwhelming. This guide divides the attractions into sections-the North Rim, South Rim, Colorado River, and Havasu Falls-with lodging, dining, and camping information given for each.
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Staying Around the Grand Canyon
Cities and towns near the rim
The Grand Canyon offers an awesome camping opportunity, but also has local hotel accomodations in nearby towns. Grand Canyon village is just outside the gate of the South Rim, while Flagstaff and Williams are a bit further. Both of these towns have a range of hotels in different price ranges. Phoenix and Sedona lie much further south, but are major tourist sites in Arizona.
Grand Canyon Floor
Rafting, camping and hiking the canyon floor
The Grand Canyon floor is a popular place for camping, rafting, and of course, hiking. For camping on the canyon floor, you need a backcountry permit, and reservations in advance. Plan on staying at least a few days to make the trip up and down the canyon comfortably.
Rafting reservations fill up fast and should be made far in advance. Rafting trips can travel the whole 240 miles of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon floor to Lake Mead, or travel sections. These trips can last weeks, or days. Here are some of the popular rafting websites for the canyon:
* Western River Expeditions
* Oars
* Outdoors Unlimited Grand Canyon Rafting
The North Rim
The less crowded rim, and a better view
The North Rim is the ideal alternative for those looking for a less crowded scene. It's slightly higher in elevation, and much harder to reach by car. A near 200 mile trip around the canyon will eventually lead to the north rim. I've visited both rims by car, and found the north rim to have better views and far less crowds. Like the south rim, the night skies of the north rim are the blackest black you'll ever see. There's no light pollution contaminating the nighttime skies, so you can clearly gaze at the stars. If you live on the east coast of the U.S. prepare for it to be especially eye opening in contrast to the light pollution we experience! The hike down to the bottom of the canyon is longer than the south rim, but offers spectacular views.
The South Rim
Open 365 days a year, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited rim. It's the most accessible by car, and the most popular hiking route. The elevation is slightly lower than the North Rim, so it's also a little hotter. Most of the accomodations and large cities lie to the south of the south rim, where you'll also find the crowds. The busiest times of year are during school vacation, late June - early September. If you can, plan your trip at another time, or head to the canyon early in the day.
Photography in the Grand Canyon
Take the best possible photos in this world wonder!
The Grand Canyon, as seen from above during the middle of the day.
Photo by kla4067 on flickr, licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.
The Grand Canyon can provide an endless variation of photographs, as the canyon becomes cast in shadowy reds, oranges, and browns during dawn and dusk, intense oranges and deep reds in the late afternoon, and a spectrum of light browns and white tones during the midday. One of the preferred times to take photos is either at sunset or sunrise, as the colors are the most vibrant. Winter also provides excellent opportunities for unique shots of the white snow against the warm tones of the canyon. From above, the canyon is best photographed in the middle of the day to avoid cast shadows.
- Desert Photography Tips
- Some examples of Desert Photography
- Tips for shooting in the Grand Canyon
- More Grand Canyon Photo Tips
The Grand Canyon showing off it's range of colors in this beautiful HDR shot by
Wolfgang Staudt. Photo licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.
Desert Photography: A Favorite Activity at Grand Canyon
Take a better photo on your trip to the rim
For desert photography, it's good to have a backup battery when hiking, as well as a sky or polarizing filter to cut out some of the sun (and to protect your lens).
Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
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Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
Used Price: $99.95
Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
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Amazon Price: $699.95 (as of 01/01/2010)
Used Price: $527.99
Sony Cyber-shot DSCH50 9.1 MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot
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Used Price: $288.00
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
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Amazon Price: $399.95 (as of 01/01/2010)
Used Price: $170.00
Fujifilm Finepix S100fs 11.1MP Digital Camera with 14.3x Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Optical Zoom
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Used Price: $460.00
Grand Canyon National Parks Leather Bound Guide
A throwback to years gone by with this beautiful National Parks Guide
Leather Bound National Parks Guide
The perfect size for travel, this guide has a smooth leather cover with attached ribbon placeholder. Detailed maps of the National Parks, with a scannable synopsis of each park and historic area, along with websites and phone numbers, directions, and addresses for each park (so you can type it into your GPS!). I've personally used this guide on many trips for its convenient size and sleek look. I recommend it!
208 pages, leather-bound softcover, 3 1/4" x 4 7/8"
A Helicopter Ride Through the Grand Canyon
Get up close and personal with the Grand Canyon's scenery
There are several companies that offer helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon. This can be a great alternative to driving and hiking, but expect to pay over $200 per person. These are usually approximately 90 minutes-3 hours. Many of the major hotels in Las Vegas offer helicopter tours accessible directly via shuttle from the hotel.
Here's a few of the more well known Grand Canyon helicopter tours:
* Heliusa.com
* Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
* Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
* Maverick Helicopter Tours
Geology, Backroads and History of Arizona
The Grand Canyon state, in books
Arizona is more than the Grand Canyon, it's a way of life. There are other spectactular sites to see within the state of Arizona, like the Petrified Forest, the "energy vortexes" of red rock Sedona, the old ghost towns like Tombstone, the desert city of Phoenix, and the serenity of Saguaro National Park. You can find more about these exciting places in these recommended guides to the history and activities of the state of Arizona.
Grand Canyon River: Adventure at Risk IMAX
A high energy, lifelike experience of the Grand Canyon
I've seen this film several times on the Grand Canyon IMAX in theatres. This would be the perfect film to demonstrate your HD and surround sound, as the photos and video tour the amazing canyon via raft and helicopter. If you haven't been there, this is the only next best thing out there.
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (IMAX)
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 01/01/2010)
Used Price: $28.91
GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE: RIVER AT RISK follows the great Colorado River as it reveals the most pressing environmental story of our time - the world's growing shortage of fresh water. Join environmental advocates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Wade Davis as they set out with their daughters, traveling deep into the Grand Canyon and down the river that runs through it. Your pulse will quicken as you are invited to join this thrilling ride downriver through raging rapids and breathtaking canyons. With stunning photography and sweeping aerial shots the renowned filmmakers capture all the majesty of the Colorado and The Grand Canyon in the largest film format ever made...
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A Peak at the Trailer of Grand Canyon IMAX
Save the Date with this Calendar of the Grand Staircase
Add some color to your home or office with this southwestern themed calendar
Grand Staircase Calendar
The Grand Staircase is an area of the southwest that includes some of America's finest National Parks and well known canyons and scenic areas, like Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Capitol Reef. Save the date with this cool calendar that features 12 incredible shots of the southwest... 12 destinations everyone should see in their lifetime. Here's a few of the scenic places photographed:
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Have You Been There?
Take part in this poll and tell us if you've been to the Grand Canyon!
Havasu Falls
Also known as Havasuapai Falls of Grand Canyon
The beautiful waterfalls seen in photos of the Grand Canyon are often from Havasu Canyon, home to Havasu Falls, Navajo Falls, and Mooney Falls. You have to hike to this area, but it's well worth it. The water is a unique blue-green, while the falls crash into the water from hundreds of feet above.
Grand Canyon Hiking
A few of the trails and hikes in the canyon
Hiking trails are abound on the rim, and you'll need a lot of preparation before the trip. Are you ready for the strenuous, long hike down one rim and up the other? Take a peek at some of the extraordinary views as you read Ramkitten's journal chronicling each day of her hike from rim to rim here.
Grand Canyon Hiking
http://grandcanyon.com/parkinfo.html A favored way to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is by hiking. However, you will want to be prepared so that this is memorable experience for you. Watch this video to get prepared for your Grand Canyon Hike
Runtime: 375
34106 views
40 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Don't Go Headed Down the Canyon Trails Without the Right Boots!
A well fitting pair of durable high quality hiking boots for your journey is a must
Hiking boots are obviously something that you need when traveling down the canyon trails, but you also need to consider how reliable they are. Gortex is an excellent, trusted line from Merrell that are virtually indestructible. Any rocks, wet surfaces, puddles, jagged edges, mud, they can handle it, through the slip resistance traction surfaces and tough soles. They also protect the feet unlike anything else, so you'll be less likely to take a digger.
Men's Merrell Moab Mid GORE-TEX® XCR®
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
These get rave reviews from customers, and include the following:
* GORE- TEX Gasket Construction
* Waterproof Dura Leather/Breathable Mesh
* Upper Breathable Ventilated Bellows Tongue
* Rubber Toe Bumper/Heel Counter
* 7.5mm Narrow Gauge Webbing
* 4.5mm Anatomical Footbed
* Nylon 6.6 Injection Molded Arch Shank
* Compression Molded EVA Footframe
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Recommended Hiking Books on the Grand Canyon
Plan ahead with a well reviewed guide by people who have read it
Hiking the Grand Canyon has endless possibilities for trails and routes. You can go rim to rim, or up the same way you came. Whatever you plan on hiking, you'll need a good map and guide as things come up to refer to. All of these guides have been reviewed 4 stars or more on Amazon.
The Power of the Grand Canyon: Flash Flood
Flash floods can strike at any time
Don't underestimate the power of the Grand Canyon and flash floods. These occur rather frequently during storms, as heavy rains pour down the canyon walls and create gigantic, silty (and rock filled) waterfalls. The Colorado can also swell up and create a dangerous situation in mere minutes. Stop by the visitor's center before any trip to educate yourself preparedness, and to see the current current forecast.
The wettest months of the Grand Canyon
are July and August, when summer thunderstorms roll in and even lead to flash floods.
The south rim of Grand Canyon Apollo Throne as seen during sunset.
Grand Canyon T-Shirts and Apparel
Sweatshirts, t's, and unique clothing for yourself or as a gift!
Everyone knows the Grand Canyon, and a whopping 5 million + visitors head to the park every year. With odds that great, you know someone who has been there! Get them the unique gift of Grand Canyon related t-shirts and clothing for any time of year, from sweatshirts to t-shirts and long sleeves.
Grand Canyon Women's Light T-Shirt
A circle featuring a rustic, cool logo with a sunset view of the canyon. Looks great on this yellow womens t-shirt.
Price: 20.99
Grand Canyon Dark T-Shirt
A clear, blue sky on this dark mens t-shirt, with tribal looking Grand Canyon lettering below.
Price: 23.99
Grand Canyon National Park (D Dark T-Shirt
The Grand Canyon, as seen through these two ledges on this cardinal red t-shirt!
Price: 27.99
Grand Canyon Ringer T
A southwestern style ringer t-shirt featuring the canyon in all its glory behind these letters.
Price: 16.49
Vintage Arizona Blue Hooded Sweatshirt
A vintage hooded sweatshirt with the words "Arizona, the Grand Canyon state."
Price: 37.99
Grand Canyon Blog Posts
The newest blogs featuring the Grand Canyon, updated every 30 minutes
People are always taking photos and uploading them to their personal blogs from Grand Canyon trips. These can offer inside information and a glimpse into what you can expect to see on your trip. Here are some of the latest posts:
- Van slides into embankment in Grand Canyon park
- Van slides into embankment in Grand Canyon park, Authorities say a van slid over the edge of an embankment in Grand Canyon National Park, but the vehicle's six passengers were able to get out before emergency crews arrived and no ...
- Mustang in grand canyon np - Steve's Digicams Forums
- Taken during the evening golden hour. Nikon 12-24 f/4. I was hoping that the owner would have straightened the front wheels as he or she parked .
- Van slides over embankment in Grand Canyon park | Aiken Standard ...
- GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) -- Six passengers escaped with non-life threatening injuries after the van they were riding in slid over the edge of a Grand Canyon National Park embankment. The National Park Service said ...
- South West America road trip | Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon ...
- The Grand Canyon is a spectacular site, but we're going to do it a little differently. Most visitors approach from the South, but we're going to visit the North rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim has less tourists than the south, ...
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Explore America's Southwest
Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon is located in the southwestern portion of Utah, and is home to the famous red and white hoodoos spire formations, with remarkable hiking trails and scenic opportunities.
Capitol Reef National ParkA 70 mile wrinkle in the earth's crust resulted in the massive Capitol Reef area and National Park. Giant sandstone domes line the tops of this beautiful Utah plateau.
Canyonlands National ParkWind and water carved stone resulted in the area near Arches known as Canyonlands. The area boasts impressive, wide canyons, unique desert wildlife, and unmatched hiking.
Zion National ParkThe majestic Zion region has been eroded over time by the Virgin River, which slims down to the challenging hiking area of the Narrows.
Mesa Verde National ParkRemnants of a long lost culture can be found in the Colorado ruins of Mesa Verde National Park. Visit to gaze upon the incredible Puebloan Cliff Palace and ancient petroglyphs.
Monument ValleyDeep in the four corners region of the southwest is the often filmed Monument Valley reservation area. Now under the rule of the Navajo tribe, the area is open for touring, hiking and photography.
Arches National ParkSee the most natural sandstone arches anywhere in the world in Arches National Park of Moab, Utah. Erosion has left thousands of these unique stone structures standing in the park.
Black Canyon of the GunnisonDeep, black canyons leave a lasting impression in Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison, with an impressive 2700 foot drop over into the Gunnison River.
Great Basin National ParkGreat Basin National Park contains the beautiful underground Lehman's Cave, and the mammoth peak of Mount Wheeler. Hike the area from its 13,000 feet peak, to beneath the earth's surface.
The Grand CanyonThe Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world, with an unforgettable hiking, photography, and road trip experience.
Guestbook
Some of the facts in this lens were found on the Grand Canyon Wikipedia article.
Thanks for Visiting!
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- Ramkitten Ramkitten Oct 26, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
- Oh my gosh, I can't believe I haven't visited this lens before now! Grand Canyon is such a special place to me, and I'm so happy to have lived and worked there. It's also where I met my future (well, current) husband. We now live in Flagstaff, so we're just an hour and a half from the South Rim. The Canyon is one of my favorite places on earth.
I'm lensrolling this to my rim to rim hike lens. Great job and gorgeous photography here.
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- sittonbull sittonbull May 6, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
- Love this lens. I hiked down Bright Angel Trail in 1971 and camped close to the river by a spring. Nothing in the Louvre could approach the masterpiece of color on the walls of the canyon at sunrise and sunset. I can't believe I didn't make Havasu Falls that trip, but sie live. Kiwisoutback you have made my day! I am grateful to you for flying by and dropping dust on my inspiration lens! Thank you!
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- rms rms Apr 29, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
- Wow! Really nice!
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- monarch13 monarch13 Apr 28, 2009 @ 10:53 am
- Great lens. I'm from Arizona and you did it justice!
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- Jimmie Jimmie Apr 27, 2009 @ 4:30 am
- blessed again! Beautiful lens. I see some unique HTML here too. Very pretty.
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- DougP DougP Apr 26, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
- I'm very impressed by the thoroughness of the work done here. Excellent!
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- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids Apr 24, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
- Those waterfalls are breathtaking!! I love AZ. I visit there about three times a year because I have family out there. I absolutely love this lens. An easy ten stars but they'll only allow me 5! You're an amazing writer and you publish some of the most stunning photography.
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Reply
- lakeerieartists lakeerieartists Apr 22, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
- Blessed by a Squid Angel.
Magnets, Stickers, and Ornaments
Unique memorabilia, souvenirs, and keepsakes
Grand Canyon Rectangle Magnet
The famous vintage style Grand Canyon postcard featuring The Watchtower and other famous points.
Price: 5.99
Grand Canyon National Park Sticker (Oval)
A red oval sticker that will definitely stand out on your car or truck, this Grand Canyon sticker features a caribou and complimentary gold colors.
Price: 4.99
Grand Canyon Watchtower View
The Watchtower, as seen on a cliff edge of the canyon on this beautiful photographic ornament.
Price: 7.99
Grand Canyon Rectangle Magnet
Rectangular magnet featuring a beautiful scene of the Grand Canyon.
Price: 4.99
1930s Vintage Grand Canyon National Park Sticker (
One of the cool vintage style posters used in the 1930's to promote the National Parks of America, this is available on this sticker for your home, car, bike or luggage!
Price: 4.99
Thanks for stopping by!
by kiwisoutback
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