The Grand Canyon is unlike anything you have ever experienced before. There isn’t anything like it in the world. The sheer magnitude of the width and depth of the canyon will leave you in awe. The Grand Canyon is larger than the state of Rhode Island. Try to wrap your head around that one! Designated as a National Park in 1919, it now sees around 5-6 million visitors and is usually in the top three for most visited National Parks each year. Its popularity stems from the obvious — its stunning beauty and mythical size — and its accessibility from Phoenix and Las Vegas’ international airports. As you step foot inside the park, you’ll enjoy exquisite views, fantastic hiking, and geological history that will blow your mind. Here is your guide to visiting Grand Canyon National Park.
What to Know Before You Go
As mentioned above, the Grand Canyon is situated nicely between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Your drive will be around four hours to the South Rim — the more popular location from both cities. To get to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, you’re looking at 5-6 hours of drive time from both spots. While most people spend time at either the North or South Rim, there are plenty of beautiful pull-offs along Desert View Drive (64).
Another vital thing to remember is how vastly different the weather will be at the Grand Canyon versus any major city you fly into. The South Rim sits at 7,000 feet, and the North Rim another 1,000 feet more. So, in the spring and fall, you can expect to have snow or ice. This means being prepared with quality base layers, warm jackets, and microspikes if the trails are icy.
It’s also important to remember that the canyon is dangerous. People die each year trying to take selfies or hike beyond their limits during the summer heat. I can’t stress enough that, if you are not careful in and around the Grand Canyon, you may not make it back.
Sleeping at the Grand Canyon
South Side
Hotels
If you’re planning to stay in a hotel, the city of Tusayan will have you covered. Located ten minutes outside the park entrance on the South Rim, Tusayan is the gateway into the Grand Canyon. With at least four hotels, you won’t have an issue finding a room if you book a month out.
Additionally, there are a handful of lodges inside the park, all within walking distance of the canyon. As you can expect, those will be more expensive due to their proximity and ease of access.
Car Camping
I’d strongly recommend car camping at the Grand Canyon, especially in the summertime. The weather will be superb, and you’ll get to enjoy the starry nights above you. The main campground in the area is the Mather Campground, which has 327 available sites, hot showers, and drinking water year-round. The nightly fee is $18. For RV users, the Trailer Village RV Park has full hookups with 123 total sites. The NPS recommends making reservations one year in advance if visiting during the busy summer season. Nightly fees vary from $64 to $88 a night.
Just outside of the park is the Ten-X Campground, which is open May through September. It’s a barebones camping experience, but it does have pit toilets and drinking water.
North Side
Hotels
The north side of the Grand Canyon is less commercialized and only has one lodge inside the park. Due to the North Rim’s heavier snow totals, it’s also only open for part of the year.
Car Camping
The campground on the North Rim is a third as large as the South Rim’s — and much more rustic. Totaling 87 sites, you’ll find fewer people and commotion to be a joy in an otherwise busy National Park. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll be camping at 8,200 feet where nightly temperatures in the summer can still drop into the 30’s and 40’s.
Backpacking
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, backpacking is a great decision. With nearly 2,000 square feet of area, you can find some pretty magical places to camp.
The most popular backpacking trip is to the bottom of the canyon. Depending on which route you do (down and up from the South Rim is about 18 miles, while rim to rim is approximately 22 miles), you can turn this into a 2–4-day trip. Unfortunately, reservations for Phantom Ranch – both camping and in the cabins – are tough to come by and require you to reserve between 9-12 months in advance. What makes Phantom Ranch an excellent destination is plenty of drinking water (spigot and creek), so you only need to carry an average amount of water.
The following are additional backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon but should only be attempted by skilled backpackers. These require some route-finding.
- Royal Arch Loop
- A 35+ mile, 3-5-day trek into the Grand Canyon will test every fiber of your being. Although, it’s one of the great backpacking trips the canyon has to offer.
- Deer Creek to Thunder Falls
- At 30 miles and over 7,000 feet of elevation gain, the hike is challenging but the reward of running water at the bottom more than makes up for it!
- Hermit Trail
- More straightforward than the previous two, the hike down to Hermit Rapids is 18 miles roundtrip with 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Like the other two, it’s very steep and rocky but water should be available once you hit Hermit Creek around the 7-mile mark.
These trails are desolate and remote compared to hiking down to Phantom Ranch. If you plan to conquer these trails, consult with a park ranger to identify water sources to stay safe. Furthermore, you’ll want to pack light as the elevation change dropping into the canyon, plus warmer temperatures down below, will sap your strength coming out.
Hiking
When it comes to hiking at the Grand Canyon, there are three main trailheads: on the south rim (South Kaibab, and Bright Angel) and on the north rim (North Kaibab).
There are various points you can hike to on these trails that are spectacular and will give you a great workout. With every hike beginning downhill, remember that you must go back up. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
With steep and sometimes loose rocks, you should bring proper footwear and trekking poles. Also, consider wearing loose or moisture-wicking clothing that will help keep you cool in the summer months.
Most visitors go to the South Rim so the majority of these hikes are for that side. However, there are hikes across the difficulty spectrum on the North Rim that will wow you!
Easy Hikes
- Rim Trail
- This is a flat walk along the canyon’s edge. This trail goes on for many miles, so plan accordingly when heading out.
- Shoshone Point
- A few miles outside of the village, this short walk to the canyon’s edge will provide stunning views and fewer crowds.
- Bright Angel Point
- This is another flat and easy North Rim hike, walk out to the edge of the canyon for a wild view of the north side. This spot is best at sunrise or sunset.
Medium Hikes
- Bright Angel Trail to rest house
- There’s nothing like getting into the canyon to experience how immense it is. Hike down for either 1.5 or three miles to see what life is like inside. Both rest houses have water – although if you visit in the winter or early spring/late fall, consult a ranger about water accessibility since it could be turned off.
- South Kaibab to Ooh Ah Point or Cedar Point
- The South Kaibab Trail is more remote (no water) away from the crowds of people but offers incredible views.
Hard Hikes
- Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens or Phantom Ranch
- This is a strenuous but doable hike into the canyon. Down to Indian Gardens is nine miles roundtrip with water every 1.5 miles. To Phantom, it’s ten miles down.
- South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point or Phantom Ranch
- South Kaibab is a steeper but shorter trail than Bright Angel. However, it doesn’t have water. Down to Phantom is around seven miles, and to Skeleton Point is three miles in. Most people hike this down and then go up Bright Angel to complete the full-day hike.
- North Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail (Rim to Rim)
- This is a doozy of a trip. Completed either in a day or as a backpacking trip, this 24-mile trek is impressive. Most would recommend starting on the North Rim and then ending on the South Rim. This route has plenty of water but be aware the last seven miles to Phantom Ranch on the north side does not have spigot water (there is a creek running beside you). Make sure to fill up when you can.
Other Activities
In addition to hiking and enjoying the scenery, there are numerous activities for people of all ages and skill levels. The most popular activity is rafting the Colorado River as it cuts through the Grand Canyon. Many people say this trip is life-changing and puts the canyon into perspective. On the same wavelength, kayaking on the river would be an even more electric way to see the views.
Off the water, rock climbing, photography, and stargazing are also big draws throughout the nearly 2,000 square-mile oasis.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit depends on what you plan to do because the temperature at the rim and the temperature inside the canyon are vastly different. Overall, the Grand Canyon will experience every season and it offers something for every person who visits.
You can expect snow at the top of the rim in the winter and icy trails for the first couple of miles down. However, once you get below the ice line, your hiking should be phenomenal as the temperatures will be in the 70s or 80s. This is when the least amount of people will visit, so you’ll have your fair share of peace and quiet.
In the spring, summer, and fall, the crowds will flock to the canyon. Temperatures on the rim will range from 50-degree to 80 degrees with lots of sun.
Wildlife
The Grand Canyon has some wildlife, but it’s not near the top of the list of things to watch out for when visiting. They have deer, elk, mountain goats, bears, squirrels, and possibly mountain lions.
Most visitors would say they’d be concerned about the bears, but the most significant issue the park deals with is people being bit by squirrels. Remember, as much as it’s tempting to feed them as they approach, feeding wild animals is dangerous and should not occur.
Article and Photos by Alec Sills-Trausch
Alec is a photographer, writer, and avid hiker who enjoys pushing the limits to find incredible destinations. He hopes through his work to inspire others to get outside and to respect planet earth so future generations can enjoy it just the same. He’s also a cancer survivor. And, he hopes to use his voice to show that you can have a wonderful life after the treatment.
