15 unique tips and activities for Grand Canyon National Park

Want to tour of Western America makes can the majestic Grand Canyon should not be missing from your program. Although we came there for a second time, we were again surprised by its grandeur. Photos and videos can't match the feeling you get when you're standing on the edge. You have to have been there yourself to know what it's about - and I'm not the first to say this... In this article I'll make an attempt and take you along!

---

---

---

About the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park is located in the north of the state Arizona (Location here). It is called a geological wonder. A rift has been created here over millions of years by the Colorado river. The area also rose and extreme erosion exposed rock that is approximately 2 billion (!) years old.

The Canyon is no less than 435 kilometers long. Just for perspective; that is a third longer than the Netherlands (300 km from north to south). The gorge is between 15 and 19 km wide.

The area south of the canyon is flat forest land. When you are here and head towards the gorge it is very strange, because you have no idea that you will come close to the dry rock in the gorge.

The park is divided into South rim en North Rim. From the South you can look into the depths more easily, while from the North you have more expansive views. The most visited side is the South side and there are also the most facilities.

Also read: Travel route examples Western America 3 to 5 weeks | Tips and highlights

Sights

Viewing the Grand Canyon is of course the number 1 attraction. When you enter the park, you are given a map of the area and on it you will find everything you want to know. From facilities, to walking routes and viewpoints to the road to get there. Your next attraction never feels far away and the free shuttle buses will take you there in no time.

Viewpoints

Of course there is no shortage of viewpoints on the edge of the gorge. Drive there at your leisure - yourself or with a shuttle bus - and enjoy! In the depths you see the Coloradoriver flows and in the distance the vast expanse Arizona landscape. You will notice that you can see far at any point, but always have a different perspective.

Drive by yourself or with the shuttle bus Hermit Rd and visit the various viewpoints. Or drive by Desert View Drive.

Historic buildings in Grand Canyon Village

In 1901, the first steam train brought tourists to the Grand Canyon and it developed Grand canyon village. In the first ten years they became luxurious El Tovar Hotel, the store Hopi House and called the visitors center Verkamp's Curios. After this, the number of visitors and thus the village continued to develop.

The buildings are still there for you to visit. The antiquity gives you an impression of what it was like to arrive here as a privileged, wealthy American. The train station and the trains in particular give you that impression.

What to do

Walking

It doesn't matter whether you can only take a few steps or whether you prefer to embark on a multi-day hiking or climbing adventure. In the Grand Canyon you can do both and everything in between. Ask for a trail map when you enter the park or at the visitor center. It is not recommended to (try to) go from the edge to the in one day ColoraDo River is not feasible, especially in the summer months.

For a relaxing and easy walk, walk along the edge via the rim trail on constructed paths. On one side you see the Grand Canyon and on the other side the greenery; the trees, sometimes an animal and many birds. You can decide where you start and end your walk. In any case, it's fun to get to – or from Grand canyon village to walk. Along the route you are often given information about how the Grand Canyon was created and how old the different layers are.

---

With other day walks such as Bright Angel Trails (12,6 km) and South Kaibab Trails (11,4 km) you descend into the canyon. It's great to do this because you get an impression of how deep the canyon actually is. It is good to keep in mind that the first part of your walk is easier (you descend) than the second part, where you have to go up. It is also wise to start your walk early. It can get very hot in the middle of the day and it is warmer in the canyon than on the rim.

Are you an experienced hiker? Then it is worth taking a multi-day walk to the Colorado-river to do. It is necessary to plan it well. Ask for advice at the visitor center and note that this is not allowed without a permit.

Also read: Grand Canyon Hike | Once in a lifetime experience

Wildlife spotting

Small animals such as birds and squirrels are not to be missed in Grand Canyon NP. Smart black ravens can often be found near the parking lots, which make cute lure sounds so that you feed them (don't do that!). The keen eye also spots large birds of prey soaring above the gorge.

Here and there you will also encounter larger animals such as elk and deer on the edge of the canyon, unsuspectingly enjoying something tasty. Very nice to see, but not wise to get too close.

It's also worth looking around if you're in the arid environment of the canyon, as you'll encounter reptiles such as lizards and snakes. Sometimes you hear the rattlesnake!

Watch sunrise and sunset

Mather Point is the place in Grand Canyon NP (location here) to see the sunrise. The moment in combination with the place attracts hordes of tourists, so unfortunately you are not alone. But almost nowhere else in the world is the sunrise as beautiful as here. This is because the colors in the canyon keep changing as the light changes.

Would you rather enjoy the sunrise a little more quietly? Then be YakiPoint (Location here), Yavapai Point (Location here) On Hopi Point (Location here) other good options.

You can also see a beautiful sunset at these places and we can go there Lipan Point (Location here) to add.

Watching stars

The national park does everything it can to combat light pollution, so that you can see the clearest starry sky here. The best places in the park for this are Mather Point (Location here), Desert View Point (Location here) On Moran Point (Location here).

Bikes

The paths along the Rim and in the forests also offer the opportunity to choose a different means of transport than the car or bus. If you don't have your bike with you, you can rent a bike near the visitor center. They also help you choose between the different routes.

Visitor centers and museums

Everything you want to know about the park, what there is to do and see and how to do it, can be found at the visitor center. For example, every half hour a film is shown to tell you about the Grand Canyon and the rangers are ready to help you with your visit to the Grand Canyon. The North and South Rim each have their own visitor centers.

There are also several museums to visit in the park. This is how you can access it Kolb Studio (Location here) for Grand Canyon related history, art and photography. In the Tusayan Pueblo Museum (Location here) are exhibitions about Native American culture and their objects. And the Yavapai Geology Museum (Location here) provides an insight into the geology (earthology) of the Grand Canyon.

---

Helicopter flight

The ultimate way to feel the grandeur of the Grand Canyon is of course a helicopter flight. I don't have to say much about it, because you will understand that this is an experience you will never forget. Would you still like to know more? Then read the article below.

Also read: Helicopter Tour Grand Canyon | The ultimate bucket list experience

Practical information and tips

Pass National Parks

All national parks charge an entrance fee and the Grand Canyon fee is 30 USD each time you enter a park with your car or camper, or 15 euros per person for 7 days. Fortunately, the America is beautiful beware for tourists! It costs USD 80 and is valid for one year from the month you purchase it. After visiting three parks (or driving in three times) you have already saved money.

You can purchase the pass at each park upon arrival. If you want to be well prepared, it is also possible to get the pass can be purchased online and receive it at home prior to your trip. You will still pay the shipping costs extra.

Tip: Check Facebook's Marktplaats or Marketplace to see if you can buy someone's card. Sometimes people return home after a few weeks of traveling in the US, but the pass is still valid for months. Don't worry about the signature, because there is a second box for this. If this is empty and you put your own signature in it, then everything will be fine.

Camping

Gran Canyon National Park has several camping areas. Via the Recreation.gov website (click here) you can reserve the places. It is wise to do this well in advance and by this I preferably mean a number of months (!) in advance. Do you not have a reservation and is it fully booked via the website? Then you can ask the campsite early in the morning if any reservations have been canceled, but rest assured that you will not be the only one in high season!

Without Hook-ups

To the South rim do you have Mather Campground (Location here) Bee Grand canyon village. It is a large campsite with more than three hundred pitches and is open all year round. There are tents, vans, cars and at most small campers here. The places have no so-called hook ups (no electricity, water and sewerage), so there are no large RVs. There are toilets, showers and washing machines (the latter two for a fee) on site. You pay between 6 and 50 USD per night.

---

---

The campsites Desert View Campground (Location here) is not open all year round and has 50 places. You can only go here from mid-April to mid-October. You will only find tents and small camping vehicles here, because there are none hook ups. Toilets and water taps are available. Showers and other facilities are not available. A place costs €18 per night.

Also Ten-X Campground (Location here) is not open all year round. It is possible to camp there from mid-May to September. However, you will have to purchase a special permit, so read the conditions carefully the website. There are 142 places and they keep 30 of these available on a temporary basis first come, first served. There are no hook ups and only pit toilets available. A place costs about 20 USD per night.

With hookups

There is also a camping area near Grand Canyon Village Trailer Village (Location here), also open all year round. This site has pitches with full hookups, so you can connect your camper to electricity, water and sewerage. You will find the large American RVs here. With the exception of one dump station, you will not find any other facilities here. Going to the toilet and showering is done in the RV. The average cost is, don't be alarmed, 87 USD per night.

Noth-rim campsites

To the North Rim are two campsites that are open seasonally, called North Rim Campground (click here) On Demotte Campground (click here).

Hotels

Staying in a hotel in the national park is certainly possible and they are sometimes unique hotels. In my opinion it's pricey, but maybe it's worth it for one or a few nights? Below I give you a few options.

• Thunderbird Lodge (click here)
• Bright Angel Lodge (click here)
• El Tovar Hotel (click here)
• Maswik Lodge (click here)

There are also hotels near the national park on the South Rim side, in the town of Tusayan. Unfortunately, there are no budget-friendly options available in this place either. Still, I'll give you a few options.

• The five* hotel The Grand Hotel (click here)
• The three* hotel Holiday Inn Express Hotel (click here)
• The four* Squire Resort (click here)
• The three* Canyon Plaza Premier Studio and Apartments (click here)

Food and drink

Groceries

We were scared of the prices you pay in the supermarkets in the national park. Below you will see a photo of a box of eggs for no less than 14 USD excl. VAT!

Saving tip: don't do any shopping in a national park or near one. Try to plan ahead and bring enough with you when you go to the Grand Canyon.

The nearest larger supermarket can be found in Flagstaff, an hour and a half drive away. The next closest is in Page, a place one often passes while traveling through Western America, two and a half hours away. There is another small supermarket in the place Showing, near Grand Canyon Village, but here too you don't pay small prices.

Restaurants

You can eat out at the hotels/lodges in the park. There are also canteen-like restaurants, where you can enjoy a snack and a drink during the day. Instead Showing, you will also find restaurants for a smaller budget, such as steakhouses, pizzerias and Mexican food.

Best time to travel

The Grand Canyon is best visited in the months of April, May, June, September and October. In July and August it can be very busy (the park is also very popular among the Americans themselves), but also very hot; 40 degrees +.

Conclusion

Some tourists visit the Grand Canyon National Park in just a few hours, even though there is so much to explore. Once you recover from the first impressions, there are a range of options. From convenience - enjoying the views - to intense and difficult walks, only for the advanced. When your body is exhausted, there is still food for the brain in the historic center and in the museums. In short, a visit to the Grand Canyon will not disappoint anyone.

In any case, I am very happy that I was able to share this experience with my dear parents!

---

---

---

---