| The Grand Canyon is on almost every traveler's bucket list, it is the one great sight which every American should see. While it is not the deepest canyon in the world, it is unmatched throughout the world for the vistas it offers to visitors.
Over More than 4.3 million visitors see the canyon each year. Most visitors (90%) see the park from free shuttle buses or from their car at overlooks along the South Rim.
The South Rim includes the historic Grand Canyon Village, the El Tovar Hotel, Verkamp's Visitor Center, The Mule Ride to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, Hermit Road, and Desert View Drive. The South Rim is open all year.
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the park is located in Arizona. |
| The park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The park covers 1,217,262 acres (1,902 sq miles) of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.
There are vacation and sightseeing options for any taste or length of stay. The Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails offer stunning views. There are scenic vistas around every bend, and adventure awaits all who make the trip. |
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| Bright Angel Trail can be seen far below. It can be hiked, but you want to be in shape. Hike, stroll, raft, camp or gaze from above. There are many opportunities here for adventurous and hardy persons who want to backpack, but if hiking's not your cup of tea, rent a bicycle or take a scenic drive through the park.
The Inner Canyon includes everything below the rim and is seen mainly by hikers, mule riders, or river runners. Take a river trip through the Canyon on the Colorado River which can take anywhere from several days to three weeks. There are no one-day river trips through the length of Grand Canyon. |
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| At the south rim the mule train rides from Grand Canyon Village down the Bright Angel Trail are a Grand Canyon tradition. You can also hope aboard a state-of-the-art helicopter for the ride of your life as you soar above the canyon.
 While every visit to the Grand Canyon is special, the National Park Service has designed a Junior Ranger Program to help make the experience extra special for children ages four to 14. By completing various requirements, your child can get sworn in as a Grand Canyon National Park Junior Ranger.
He or she will also receive a certificate and a badge - just like regular park rangers wear. |
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| Vast, magnificent and beautiful, The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that you simply have to see to believe. The Grand Canyon will take your breath away. Stretching 277 miles from end to end, steep, rocky walls descend more than a mile to the canyon’s floor, where the wild Colorado River traces a swift course southwest.
Carved millions of years ago by the Colorado River and natural geological processes, the Grand Canyon’s stark beauty, rusty, desert colors and glorious sunsets are a pleasure for all. There are layers of ancient rocks that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent.
Whether you stop at the canyon for an hour or stay for a week, you will have plenty of ways to enjoy the adventure. Seeing the canyon for the first time is an astounding experience. |
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 Summer is the warmest, driest and busiest time of year at the Grand Canyon, particularly the South Rim. Late spring and early fall offer the best weather; late fall is slightly less crowded. Winter brings cooler temperatures and the possibility of snow.
The easiest way to reach The Grand Canyon National Park is from main entrances on the South Rim. Due to its proximity to Flagstaff and Williams on Interstate 40, the South Rim is the Grand Canyon’s most popular destination.
Most visitors arrive by auto on Arizona Highway 64 from I-40 at the Williams exit. The Grand Canyon is about a one hour drive from Williams, Arizona. Tusayan is a commercial tourist center just outside The Grand Canyon National Park. |
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