Everyone always talks about how extraordinary the Grand Canyon is and without a doubt it is amazing, but until you see it with your own eyes you don’t really appreciate or grasp just how incredible it is. Our little brains can’t even fully comprehend the size of it as we see it. The Grand Canyon is one mile deep, 18 miles at its widest, averages 8 miles wide, and the Colorado River way down below is 300 feet across with 15 foot rapids. You really can’t grasp just how magnificent this landscape is without seeing it firsthand. I spent three days on the south rim looking out over the vast canyon and this is what I learned.
Tips + Tricks
The Grand Canyon National Park is open 24/7 and depending on what type of vehicle you drive in will determine the cost of entry. For one vehicle for one week it costs $35 for entry. This means you can come and go as you please for one week. Early mornings and later in the evenings are the least busy times. Keep in mind that this is a very popular tourist destination and there will always be people there no matter what time you are there. In November I thought the crowds were minimal compared to what they could be in the warmer months, it’s also not nearly as hot.
We stayed in Flagstaff and drove to and from the canyon each day which was not bad at all. We enjoyed taking a different route each time to see what we could find. Sometimes we get into a routine of doing the same things and trying to find the fastest or easiest way to do something and forget that vacation is about exploring, relaxing, and going on an adventure. The landscape changes so many times in Arizona that it’s really neat as someone who comes from an area where the whole state looks the same, to a state where each city has its own unique landscape every twenty miles.
I brought binoculars to be able to look around in the canyon and I suggest you do the same because I ended up finding hikers in the canyon that I couldn’t see with the naked eye. I was looking for wildlife and didn’t find any but I did get a closer look at the river, rock formations, and some hikers that I would not have seen otherwise.
Grand Canyon: South Rim
The south rim of the canyon is a tourist’s paradise. It is laid out so that it is simple to navigate. Anyone can visit and enjoy the view because the paths are mostly paved and flat, there are bathrooms everywhere, and there are food options within the park so you never have to leave. I suggest packing your own food if possible because you may not find the food provided in the Grand Canyon all that tasty or appealing. We had a burger in the Bright Angel Lodge after seeing that the Maswik lodge was serving up hotdogs in a cafeteria style setting. The Bright Angel Lodge houses a small room past the check-in desk full of historical information and artifacts from the beginnings of the Grand Canyon becoming a tourist destination.
If you’re going just to see the Grand Canyon and do nothing more than going to a few lookout points then one day should be enough for you. If you want to see every view possible from each lookout point then two days is the way to go. If you’re limited on time or just want to spend more time on a few areas I suggest visiting Powell point for a great panoramic view, mohave point where you will find picnic tables for a lunch or snack, these two do require that you ride the bus. Seek advice before traveling down into the canyon on any of the trails. If you plan on going to the bottom of the canyon it could take up to four hours to get down and twice as long to come back out. It is not advised to attempt this in one day even for experienced hikers. Be sure to plan accordingly if it is your desire to do so.
End of the Road
This is a destination that I can’t wait to visit again and experience more of what there is to offer there. Next time I plan on visiting other areas of the Grand Canyon, such as the North, East, and West sides of the Canyon. I also plan to go hiking into the canyon, white water rafting down the Colorado River, maybe take a helicopter ride, and hopefully one day, camp in the Grand Canyon.
To read more about our trip read Arizona: There’s More Than the Grand Canyon. Subscribe and follow us on social media to see what other adventures we go on.
