The Grand Canyon extends a whopping 445 kilometers with a width of 29 forming a giant scar-like structure in the heart of Arizona. Tourists from the United States and around the globe head to marvel at this natural wonder of layered rocks that recent studies believe to be almost 70 million years old.
How to Get to the Grand Canyon:
Both the North Rim and South Rim are the major tourist spots inside the Grand Canyon. Because of its colossal size, driving is the only way tourists can visit. The South Rim is about two hours away from Arizona and is more accessible of the two regions and gets more tourists. People who want to get away from the crowds can drive to the North Rim, which could involve several hours of driving. Grand Canyon West, or the West Rim, is another section outside of the National Park itself and is closer to reach from Las Vegas.
What are the Best Things to Do at the Grand Canyon?
Typical activities include hiking, horseback riding, camping, visiting some of the Native Indian Settlements or even testing your nerve on the Grand Canyon Skywalk on the West Rim. A number of underground caves make for an adventurous day. Some tourists like to see the Grand Canyon from a helicopter or by taking a railway tour through the region. Many of the 5 million annual tourists only hang around the day and head back to Arizona in the afternoon. The more daring ones hike through the canyon itself and camp overnight. Visiting the nearby Arizonan towns of Flagstaff, Williams, and Tusayan to get a glimpse back into the old world of the Wild West is also a fun activity.
Hike to Havasu Falls:
One of the prettiest attractions within the Grand Canyon is Havasu Falls, a 30 meter, single shoot waterfall pouring blue-green water over the rugged rocks into the pools below.
But, it’s no easy task to get to it. Anticipate a grueling 16-kilometer trek across unforgiving terrain without access to water and go deep into the Havusa Canyon. Trails are tough, dusty, and very hot. Hikers need to take their own supplies including an ample supply of water as nothing is available until you reach an American Indian village called Supai. Expect the journey to take anywhere between five and eight hours to reach Havasu Falls. Many hikers camp overnight at Supai and return the following morning.
Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon:
More overnight accommodation inside the Grand Canyon is around the South Rim and includes camping grounds, hotels, and lodgings. Others are available on both the North Rim and West Rim but may need a booking well in advance to secure a spot. Visitors looking for a place with more restaurants and a bit of a nightlife may choose to stay in one of the nearby towns such as Flagstaff or Sedona.
Plan Your Perfect Trip to the Grand Canyon:
Now that you know the essentials of planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, why not go ahead and fulfil a dream of seeing this amazing natural wonder?