Grand Canyon

As I gaze out into the horizon, I can’t help but feel as though I’m staring at a photograph. The backdrop doesn’t look real. The stone has been perfectly etched by the wind and the river flows down below, whispering the secrets it has kept for thousands of years. The clouds look painted in the sky, like the ones on Andy’s wall in Toy Story. Even though I have lived in Arizona my entire life, I had never driven up north to visit the Grand Canyon. Now that I finally have, I can say it is worth every breathtaking minute.

The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is located in northern Arizona. According to Google Maps, the South rim is approximately a four-hour drive from Arizona State’s Tempe campus and the North rim is approximately six hours. The South Rim, which is conveniently open all year, is the most visited part of the Grand Canyon (1). 90% of visitors, myself included, visit this part of the rim per year (1)! The North Rim, which only about 10% of people venture over to see, is only opened for a short time, from May to October (1). It costs $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle to obtain a seven-day visitors pass which grants you access to the entire Grand Canyon National Park (2). If you plan on visiting more than once, there is a $70 annual park pass (2).

What will you do once you get to the Grand Canyon? If you decide to embark to the South Rim, there are plenty of options, especially because of its year-round accessibility. There are three zones to the Grand Canyon Village (3). The first is the Visitor Center. Here you will find information on the park, four parking lots and Village Loop Shuttle Bus to take you between the other two zones (3). Follow the signs and walk on over to Mather Point to take your first look at the canyon. The second zone is the Market Plaza, containing the Grand Canyon Village’s Business Center (3). Here you will find a general store, Chase Bank, Post Office, and the Yavapai Lodge. Mather Campground is right next door, along with the Trailer Village RV Park if you want to stay overnight (3). Zone three is the Historic District which sprung up about 120 years ago, during the pioneer times (3). The Santa Fe Railroad depot is located here along with several buildings from the 1900s (3). Explore the Train Depots walking tour or the Hopi House and Kolb Studio while in this zone (3).

Map of the 3 Zones (3)

If you visit the North Rim during the time of year it is open, there is a whole other side of the canyon to take in. However, there is only one lodge, The Grand Canyon Lodge, and one campground opened on this rim (3).

There is so much in store when visiting the Grand Canyon:

Hiking

• Hiking is a great way to experience the Grand Canyon fully. You can walk along the Rim Trail for a scenic stroll (4). You may day hike in and around the canyon, but if you want to do an overnight backpacking hike you must obtain a backcountry permit (4). These permits cost $10 per permit plus $8 per person (5). More information regarding backcountry permits can be found here.

Tours

• You can bring your bicycle or rent one and go on a guided bicycle tour for $47-$65 (4, 6). There are several different tours you can book to tour the Grand Canyon’s scenic Hermit Road like jeep, bus and van tours or you can take advantage of the free shuttle service that runs from March 1 to November 30 (4).

Ancient Sites

• A watchtower on the South Rim side at Desert Viewpoint is 70 feet tall and available to enter and climb for panoramic views (4). If you have your walking shoes, go 3 miles West of Desert View and you’ll find the Tusayan Ruins, an Ancestral Pueblo Village (4).

Mule Rides

• You can take Mule ride on the South Rim year-round or on the North from May through October to get a more pioneer experience (4). North Rim rides are either one hour or half a day and South rim rides are three hours or overnight and you stay at the Phantom Ranch (4). To put into perspective, the cost of the three hours South Rim ride (the Canyon Vista Mule Ride) is $142.83 per person (7).

Rafting

• And let’s not forget whitewater rafting! Take a wild ride down the Colorado river for 3 to 21 days (4)! If that’s not up your ally, there are smooth water rafting rides that last either half a day or a full day (4). Find more information on whitewater rafting here.

Not sure how to get to the Grand Canyon? Here are some options:

If you have the ability, driving yourself is the best options because you have freedom to go where you want, when you want (8). Groome Transportation has five routes traveling between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon with daily van shuttle service (9).

"In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world." -Theodore Roosevelt