Grand Canyon Vacations

In order to protect the area in and around the Grand Canyon from copper, silver and other mining operations in Arizona and to protect Native Americans from treasure seekers, the U.S. Government declared the Grand Canyon and it's environs to be federally protected in 1893.

This led to the the Grand Canyon being listed as a National Monument on January 11, 1908 and on February 26 1919, the 1.2 million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon were designated a National Park.

Since then, the park has grown into a major tourist destination, receiving over 5 million photographers, hikers, geologists and other interested people every year.

The tourist anchors for the park are Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. The Village features several hotels allowing you to relax right inside the park, and also features a general store, post office, mule rentals and all the comforts of home. The Lodge is a little further from the beaten path, and is perfect for real vacations with its self-sufficient lodge area featuring log cabins, a post office and a homey saloon.

El Tovar Hotel

Grand Canyon Village

El Tovar is featured above, opened in 1905 it is one of the oldest structures at the South Rim. The Grand Canyon vacation spot for Rough Rider and U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, El Tovar features 78 rooms. You'll pay a premium for it's aged, historical beauty.

Bright Angel Lodge was designed by Mary E. J. Colter (along with several other structures at the South rim) and built in 1935. The lodge and attached cabins are rustic, more affordable, and another tie to the pioneer spirit at the South Rim.

Other more modern hotels are available from Xanterra South Rim, LLC the company licensed to run the facilities at the South Rim, and reservations at El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge and other hotels can be made there.

Tusayan

If staying at the Grand Canyon Village is too busy or expensive for you, consider visiting Tusayan, just outside the gate of the Grand Canyon National Park. Tusayan grew up primarily to provide hotels and restaurants to serve the millions of Canyon vacationers. The hotels range from motels to fancier settings, all of which give you a good room for a good price with some amenities and more modern facilities than are available at many places at the Rim.

Tusayan also features Grand Canyon National Park Airport which allows small craft to fly in and out, and it is here that you can rent helicopter tours of the Canyon. There is also a visitor center featuring its own IMAX screen which shows a dizzying movie about, what else, the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park Map

There are many ways to get to the South Rim (Grand Canyon Village) and only one way to get to the North Rim (Grand Canyon Lodge). It is possible to hike to sections of the canyon away from civilized areas, but the way in and out is hazardous, undeveloped, and not close to any facilities.

Except for the most experienced of outdoors enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon means one of two locations - the Village and Lodge - and of those two locations, the Village at the South Rim is more accessible, and quicker from which to get back to civilization, while the Lodge at the North Rim is better for Grand Canyon vacations where you tend to get away for a little while.

From Flagstaff, Arizona to South Rim

From Flagstaff, drive NW out of town (follow the signs) on Route 180 and follow it 72 miles to the National Park entrance. It's then a few more miles within the park to get to the canyon.

From Williams, Arizona to South Rim

Williams is just down the road (I-40) from Flagstaff and is a straight drive to the South Rim. Take Route 64 north out of town, which merges with Route 180 from Flagstaff. Travel 53 miles to the park entrance.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also take the train to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railway features refurbished engines and air conditioned cars, observation dome cars and the all important snack car.

The trip is leisurely and the views are mostly desert scrub yielding to pine forest as you get closer to the Canyon, but if you want to get to or from the Canyon the romantic way and in style, this is the way to go. The turnaround package is brief and not worth it, but you can take the train to or from the Grand Canyon, and design your own Canyon adventure while you're there. The Grand Canyon Railway also owns the beautiful and historic Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and it is the southern terminus of the trip.

From Phoenix, Arizona to South Rim, Flagstaff or Williams

Take I-17 north out of town and drive 145 miles to Flagstaff, then follow directions from Flagstaff to the South Rim, or drive 30 miles to Williams from Flagstaff, and follow the Williams directions.

Phoenix features Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the U.S. If you rent a car and drive from there to the Grand Canyon, take I-10 West exiting the Airport to get to the I-17 North to Flagstaff or Williams.

From Las Vegas, Nevada to South Rim

Drive Route 93 southeast to I-40 and follow I-40 east to Williams or to Flagstaff (although if you go to Flagstaff you'll be backtracking up Route 180). Distance to Las Vegas to South Rim via Williams is about 270 miles.

Las Vegas features McCarran International Airport, another very busy hub in the west. If you rent a car from there, take I-215 east to Route 93 and take it southeast out of town to Williams.

Getting to the North Rim

The North Rim is a little less accessible, but there are a couple ways to get there.

Arizona to North Rim

In Arizona, there are two good routes. From Flagstaff, you can bypass the South Rim tourist spots altogether by taking Route 89 north out of town. Bear left on Alt Route 89, crossing the Colorado River high up at Marble Canyon. Take Alt Route 89 to Jacob Lake, turn south on Route 67 to the North Rim Lodge.

About 208 miles of straight driving through the Navajo Reservation, yielding to windy driving through pine forests after Jacob Lake.

If you're already at the South Rim, you can take Route 64 east to Cameron (I think you can get drinks and gas there, not much else), and then take 89 north and continue the directions above to the North Rim.

California/Nevada/Utah to North Rim

Although you can get to the I-40 from Las Vegas, you might want to take I-15 NE from California, through Las Vegas towards St. George, Utah. Turn east on Route 9, and take Route 89 south to Route 11 South where it crosses into Arizona and connects with Alt Route 89 south to Jacob Lake and south on Route 67 to the North Rim.

Alternately, you could take Routes 59 and 389 from St George, Utah to Fredonia and take Alt Route 89 south. Different routes may not be available due to weather and other conditions.

From Las Vegas, this drive would be about 275 miles, with very limited facilities. The drive north through Arizona from Flagstaff/South Rim is similarly desolate, so bring a full tank of gas, supplies, and have a reliable car. Car and phone service is extremely limited. I also haven't taken the I -15 route, so I can't vouch for its reliability.

However you get there, once you get there, relax and enjoy your Grand Canyon vacations.

The Grand Canyon Lodge rests right at the edge of the North Rim at Bright Angel Point featuring a restaurant, saloon, post office and general store for incidentals. Beside the lodge are quaint little cabins you can rent as your home away from home while you're on vacation. Don't forget to check out the lounge on the lodge's sun deck, hike around the rim (or into the Canyon via the North Kaibab Trail), and gaze on the Canyon's splendor in every direction. The North Rim features several points you can walk out to that give you amazing views across and into the Canyon.

Note: The North Rim is closed from Oct 15 to May 15.

This is at the south rim near the visitor center when you arrive, and I don't seem to have any pictures of Bright Angel Point, which is at the north rim and was my point of showing it!

Standby for updates, and thanks to Carrie for noticing the error.

Grand Canyon In Winter

The South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon, shrouded in Ponderosa Pines high up in the mountains of Northern Arizona to the east, go through temperature ranges of lows in the 20s during the winter to mild highs in the mid 80s through the summer months. Snow is common in the winter months, and rain is common throughout the year with the North Rim getting around 26 inches a year, and the South Rim 16 inches a year. Although well watered, the rims are still dryer than normal for pine forests, and are subject to forest fires throughout the year. Fires can close roads to the North Rim, but are less common at the South Rim.

The North Rim is about 1000 feet higher than the South rim, around 8100 and 7100 feet respectively. The environment a mile and a half below at the Colorado River level is more like a desert - dry and 25 to 35 degrees hotter than at the Rim.

Hikers and visitors in general should be prepared with comfortable loose-fitting clothes for walking around the rims in the summer, and dressed for below freezing weather and snow in the winter (the North Rim is closed from Oct 15 to May 15).

Hikers and mule-riders going into the Canyon should wear comfortable hiking boots or shoes that will survive the rugged terrain. Dress for the cold in layers at the top, and be prepared to strip to lighter, wicking layers as you descend into the Canyon. Mule-riders should wear pants comfortable enough to survive the butt-jarring descent. Despite the heat, mules and shorts don't always mix.

Swimsuits on the North Rim Sun Deck are not uncommon and it occasionally gets warm enough to lay out and get a nice tan. There is no pool, however, at the North Rim Lodge.

Pack and dress accordingly to better enjoy your Grand Canyon vacation.

Your Grand Canyon vacations will be very relaxing...unless you decide to hike into the Canyon. Hikers should be in good shape and it is preferred to have a guide if you haven't gone before, or aren't confident in leading your own hike. These are arduous hikes.

There are three major trails into the Grand Canyon - From the South Rim, South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails and from the North Rim, North Kaibab trail.

Warning

Even inexperienced hikers can enjoy day hikes in the Grand Canyon, but trying to go from the rim to the bottom and back is not advised even for expert hikers. Some suggested day hikes, camp hikes and the necessary trails are explained here, but you should get information from experienced hikers/campers and staff around the Canyon before setting out on your Grand Canyon vacation adventure.

Sturdy and comfortable hiking boots/shoes (or at least good athletic shoes) should be worn along with socks that will provide cushioning and wick moisture. Clothing should be appropriate for the rim, with wicking base layers underneath, that will be exposed as you get lower and hotter. It's not uncommon to wear jackets or coats at the rim, and be down to a wicking shirt or less at the river.

If you are camping, pack enough cold weather gear for the nights where temperatures can dip drastically, despite the heat of the day.

Apply plenty of sunscreen throughout the day as there is little shade to count on.

Take plenty of water. Bright Angel Trail has facilities with fresh water, but South Kaibab does not. Even with facilities present, you should take enough containers to keep you topped off for a whole day's hiking. There is water at the facilities at the base of the Canyon, but don't wait to get to the bottom before drinking up.

Take any medications and other necessities with you so you are prepared in case something happens. A first aid kit is also desirable including everything to deal with scrapes, bruises and bug bites.

Bright Angel Trail Features

Bright Angel Trail is about 7.7 miles from the South Rim to the Colorado River. Day hikers can hike into the canyon 1.5 or 3 miles to one of the rest houses or 4.5 miles to the Indian Garden campsite. All three locations have water, and there are toilets at Indian Garden. Round trip from these locations to the trailhead at the top are 3, 6 and 9 miles respectively, so plan accordingly. If you are taking mules into the Grand Canyon, the train will stop to rest at Indian Gardens.

Indian Garden is a proper campsite and you can make camp here, but you will have to make reservations in advance for the privilege for any campsites within the Grand Canyon National Park.

If you are continuing to the Colorado River, you will pass Plateau Point at the 6 mile mark, hit the bottom of the Canyon at 7.7 miles and arrive at Bright Angel Camp (campsite) and Phantom Ranch (hotel) at 9.3 and 9.8 miles respectively.

If you hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, it is not advisable to try and make it back to the top in one day. You should make reservations at the bottom at the campsite or Phantom Ranch, or hike back to the Indian Garden campsite before you're exhausted.

South Kaibab Trail Features

This is the other trail into the Canyon from the South Rim, and offers more majestic sites, less shade and no facilities. Some day hikers like to mix the two trails via crossover trails, allowing for a mix of views and facilities, while others will use the South Kaibab to go straight to the Colorado River. Mule trains do not travel down the South Kaibab allowing for a more pristine and less traveled route.

From the trailhead, which can be reached by vehicle transport from the Bright Angel trailhead or you can hike there yourself, it is 1.5 miles to Cedar Ridge where you can rest for some beautiful vistas (warning - no water here). It is 4.4 miles to the Tonto Trail Junction and 6.0 miles to the River Trail Junction, both of which take you back to the Bright Angel Trail (more on this in a moment).

Bright Angel Campsite is 6.4 miles from the trailhead, making the South Kaibab trail the shorter distance to the campsite, but with no facilities along the way. From Bright Angel Campsite, it is another half mile to Phantom Ranch.

Some hikers like to use both South Kaibab and Bright Angel to view the Canyon. The two crossing trails, Tonto and River Trail, allow hikers to descend one major trail and leave from the other. I recommend hiking down South Kaibab (where views are better and facilities are nil), hiking across Tonto or River Trail depending on how far you want to go, and hiking up Bright Angel (when you need facilities and are more tired). You can either hike out of the canyon (not advised) or stop at Indian Garden Campsite if you have reservations.

Distance from South Kaibab trailhead to Bright Angel trailhead via Tonto Junction Trail is over 9 miles, so plan accordingly or be in great shape!

Note: If you are going to Bright Angel Campsite or Phantom Ranch, cutting from South Kaibab to Bright Angel means you'll be backtracking about 2 miles once you reach the bottom of the Canyon - Not advised unless you are just trying to see everything and are in great shape.

North Kaibab Trail Features

The North Kaibab Trail runs 14 miles to Phantom Ranch or 14.5 miles to the Bright Angel Campsite. Although the trail is well-maintained, this is not an easy hike, and should not under any circumstances be considered a day hike. A decent day hike might go as far as Supai Tunnel which goes through the canyon face (2 miles in, 4 miles round trip), or for more adventurous day hikers, Roaring Springs (4.7 miles in, 9.4 miles round trip).

A good halfway point to the canyon floor is Cottonwood Camp, almost 7 miles into the canyon. Water and toilet facilities are available here, as well as reservable campground space. Be sure to refill canteens and bottles here, and use the facilities, because there are no other water or toilets for another 7 miles, up or down. Further ahead is Ribbon Falls at the 8.5 mile point, and like Roaring Springs, features waterfalls. The last stop is another 5.5 miles to the bottom, Phantom Ranch. If you plan on staying there, you will need reservations in advance, and PR is often booked up many months into the future.

If you were to hike from the trailhead at Nouth Kaibab out to the trailhead at South Kaibab or Bright Angel, you would travel approximately 21.4 or 24.3 miles respectively. Anyone planing to go rim to rim should definitely consider reservations at Indian Garden, Bright Angel and/or Cottonwood campsites, as well as Phantom Ranch at the bottom, and either the North Rim Lodge or a hotel at the South Rim or in Tusayan, depending on where you are starting and finishing. You should also expect 3 days one way to account for fatigue and complications (plus you actually want to ENJOY the Grand Canyon while you're there).

Getting back to your car on the opposite rim requires a return trip.