Arizona : Grand Canyon
Arizona : Grand Canyon
It’s the world’s most famous hole in the ground, and rightfully so. No matter how many photographs you’ve seen, your first sight of the Grand Canyon is guaranteed to take your breath away. Ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, this spectacular Arizona canyon–277 miles long and 18 miles wide–tops our list of America’s must-see destinations. Grand Canyon National Park offers activities like horseback riding, ATV tours, air tours, biking, entertainment, fishing, golf, guided tours, hunting, museums, paintball, ranch activities, rappelling, river running, shopping, snowmobiling and skiing. Here are a few cities to visit when you travel to Grand Canyon; Panguitch Lake, Duck Creek Village, Cedar City, Brian Head, Kanab, St. George and Salt Lake City. When you visit Grand Canyon National Park you will want to visit all of the other National Parks nearby. Here are a few National Parks to visit: Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Lake Powell National Recreation Area, Canyonlands National Park, and Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument.
Grand Canyon National Park attracts five million tourists and sightseers annually, crowds are a given and advance reservations for camping and lodging are a must–especially in spring, summer and fall. So you’ll need to plan ahead to make the most of your visit. Use our compilation of tips, guides and links below to help you map out a successful Grand Canyon adventure.
General services in Grand Canyon
• Bank: Located next to the Post Office across from the Visitor Center. Open Mon-Thur 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. An ATM is also available 24-hours. (928) 638-2437.
• Camping Equipment: Camping items can be purchased at Babbitt’s General Store. Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (928) 638-2262.
• Garage: Located east of the park’s Lodge General Offices. Mechanic services are available, including 24-hour emergency service. Open daily 8 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (928) 638-2631.
• Laundry & Showers: Located south of the village near the Mather Campground. Laundry and showers open 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Medical Services: The South Rim has a clinic and pharmacy (928-638-2551), open all year. Emergency medical services are provided by rangers and clinic staff. A dentist serves the South Rim by appointment only (928-638-2395). North Rim medical services consist of a clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner May through October. Emergency medical services are provided by rangers on duty.
• Post Office: Located across from the Visitor Center. Stamps are available in lobby and is open 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Window Service: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (928) 638-2512.
• 1-Hour Photo Processing: Available at Babbitt’s General Store. Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunrise & sunset
It’s practically required that visitors to the Grand Canyon catch at least one sunrise or sunset from a spot near the rim. The shadows are deeper, the colors more dramatic at those times. Some of the best places on the South Rim to view the light show are Hopi Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point and Lipan Point, and at the Desert View tower. Sunrise and sunset are also the best times to capture the Canyon on film. Although no photo can do the Canyon justice, you’ll stand a better chance early or late in the day. National Park Service officials suggest you get to your place about 30 minutes early to land a spot.
Accessibility
Not all park facilities meet the accessibility standards that have been set in recent years, and many of the buildings in the park are historic. However, many facilities are accessible with assistance, and an increasing number of facilities are accessible. A park Accessibility Guide is available at the Visitor Center or upon request at PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Call (928) 638-7888 for information.
Shuttle bus service
Free shuttle bus service is available throughout Grand Canyon Village, along the West Rim Drive, and out to the South Kaibab Trailhead during peak season only (generally Memorial Day to September). At that time of the year the West Rim Drive and Yaki Point are closed to private vehicles. Shuttle service is also available (for a fee) to Tusayan.
Bicycling
Mountain bikes are allowed only on those roads open to car traffic. If you plan to bring one, remember that in Arizona bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules as cars. Use extreme caution when riding on park roads; shoulders are narrow and vehicle traffic is heavy. The West Rim Drive is open to bicycles throughout the year, but remember that during the summer months there is heavy bus traffic on the West Rim Drive. Bicycles are not available for rent in the park.
Paddling
Running the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a special experience that is well worth the large time commitment and expense. It’s probably the best way to fully experience the true grandeur and beauty of the Canyon. Over 270 miles in length, the Colorado River flows through 70 major rapids and drops about 2,000 feet over its course. After obtaining a river permit from the Park Service, about a third of river runners do it themselves. The park only accepts applications in February. Be aware that the waiting list for a permit stands at over 6,000 names. The Park Service says that translates into a 12+ year wait. To join the waiting list you must complete an application and pay the $100 fee. Call (800) 959-9164 to order an application.
Most people sign up with a commercial river company to handle the trip details. Commercial river trips begin at Lees Ferry and can last from 3 days to 3 weeks. Some companies offer partial trips ending at, or starting from, Phantom Ranch, which is accessible only by trail from Grand Canyon Village or the North Rim.
Fishing
Fishing in the park requires an Arizona state fishing license. They are available at Babbitt’s General Store in Grand Canyon Village (South Rim) and at Marble Canyon Lodge (near Lees Ferry, about 2.5 hours from the South Rim). Licenses are not available at the North Rim. Make sure you know the regulations before you fish. Most fishing opportunities require an overnight permit.
Religious services
Religious services are offered in the park and surrounding community. Check current schedules posted at the Mather Campground, Visitor Center, Shrine of the Ages, and the information kiosk between Babbitt’s General Store and the Post Office. For more information, you may call the numbers listed below:
• Grand Canyon Community Church (Interdenominational): Joe Surin, Pastor. (928) 638-2340. • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Ted Meredith, Branch President. (928) 638-2792. • Roman Catholic: Father Francis Zagorc, C.S.C., Pastor. (928) 638-2390. • Grand Canyon Assembly of God: Jim Strating, Pastor. (928) 638-9415. • Grand Canyon Baptist Church: Dr. Paul Kinnison, Pastor. (928) 638-9421.
How to get there?
To South Rim. Grand Canyon National Park is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona via Route 64 from Interstate 40, and 80 miles north of Flagstaff via Route 180. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north 146 miles to Flagstaff. Take Interstate 40 west from Flagstaff and drive 32 miles to Williams. Take Arizona 64 from Williams 60 miles to the South Rim.
To North Rim. From Flagstaff, take US 89 north 116 miles to with US 89A junction. Drive west 58 miles on US 89A. At the Arizona 67 junction, drive south 46 miles to the North Rim. (Open in summer only.) Only ten miles from rim to rim as the crow flies, the North Rim is 215 miles (about 4 1/2 hours) from the South Rim by car. The North Rim is 44 miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ via highway 67.
To Grand Canyon Railway. One of the niftiest ways to travel to the canyon is by train on the Grand Canyon Railway. The railway operates vintage engines and cars on its short trip north from Williams. Besides the placid scenery, passengers get a little staged entertainment along the way. You never know when desperadoes on horseback will try to take over the train. It’s a daylong event. About 2 1/4 hours each way plus a layover of 3 1/4 hours at the Canyon. Actors in Western attire perform a little outdoor play while patrons wait to board. It’s great for kids, who sometimes get to participate in the fun. Snacks, drinks and film can all be purchased while you ride the rails. Reservations can be made at 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724). Various packages are available, beginning at $60.35 for adults and $27.15 for children. - Don Renfroe, The Arizona Republic
Other Transportation. Commercial air carriers serve Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Grand Canyon Airport (in Tusayan, just south of the park). Bus service is available from Flagstaff and Williams via Nava-Hopi Bus Tours (1-800-892-8687).
