No introduction needed; Grand Canyon National Park has been drawing tourists and inspiring travelers since its creation.
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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
High up on the Colorado Plateau is a natural wonder so magnificent, you may consider it the greatest feat of nature. Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the entire world.
Now, just being the biggest doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most visit-worthy. To me, what makes a destination worth the time, airfare, gas and hotel stays is natural beauty and scenery. Luckily, Grand Canyon National Park is no slouch in this department. With jagged purple, orange and red walls rising thousands of feet from the valley floor, it’s quite a sight.
Like many desert scenes in the US’s Southwest, pictures don’t do it justice. The home to the Havasupai, Hopi and Navajo Tribes is a marvel you just need to see in person.
If you polled 1000 travelers about their opinions on this mighty gorge, my guess is one out of ten folks will tell you, “honestly, it’s just a giant hole in the ground.” So, why do they feel that way, and how do you avoid this sentiment when touring?
How Do You Get the Most Out of Grand Canyon National Park?
Visiting the park is one thing, but how do you get the most out of Grand Canyon National Park?
First, lately there is this opinion going around the National Park world that “if you visit a park, you need to spend a week there to truly soak it in.” Personally, I couldn’t disagree more. Typical tourists who are just doing scenic drives and day hikes can’t possibly find enough attractions and variety to warrant a week-long stay in most parks.
Sure, there are some exceptions, like Zion or Banff, but I find it irresponsible to recommend someone new to the “nature world” to sit there and like it for days on end.
Second, if physical capabilities allow, get into the canyon somehow. Admittedly, when my mom and uncle took me to Arizona at age 16 (thanks for coming with, Jim), the only plan we had was to sit up on the south rim. Crowds are thick, the views are miles away and the experience begins to feel saturated after a while. Next time I find myself here, I hope to hike one of the many trails down. Whether it’s the South Kaibab, North Kaibab, or Bright Angel Trail, get in there so you can have an up-close and personal view of what the canyon really is.
One backpacking trip with recent popularity has been the Havasu Falls trails. While I respect the Havasupai people’s decision to charge a fee for entry onto their lands, I struggle to bring myself to pay $500 per person for a camping expedition. However, if your financial means allow it, go enjoy this world-renowned adventure.
South Rim or North Rim of the Grand Canyon?
For those looking for a winter getaway from a midwestern winter, the South Rim is your only choice. Snowed in, the north half is unacceptable for the majority of the cold months.
Personally, I believe the surrounding region in the north offers a better experience than the south. With southern Utah and Las Vegas close by, you can make a week-long trip out of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Paige/Antelope Canyon and Bryce Canyon. Also, the North Rim sees much lower visitation numbers, meaning smaller crowds. If done right, you shouldn’t break the bank either.
If you choose to go during the frigid days of January, there are still great add-ons to make it a full vacation. Underrated and worth the drive, head to Sedona and check out the famous red rock mountains. Technically, there are two other National Parks in Arizona you could add; just know you’ll have to put some miles in to get there.