Grand Canyon National Park, in northwest Arizona, consists almost entirely of the spectacular Grand Canyon. The canyon, with the Colorado River running through it, extends 277 miles (446 kilometers). It is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) deep and varies in width from less than 1 mile to 18 miles (29 kilometers). The park also includes steep hills, tall spires of rock, and other scenic attractions. It covers nearly 11/4 million acres (500,000 hectares). The park, established in 1919, is one of the country’s most popular national parks.
Viewing the Grand Canyon.
The majority of visitors drive along park roads and stop at scenic viewing points about the Grand Canyon. Visitors may also walk along the canyon’s rim. Many tourists hike along trails in the park. Some people ride mules into the canyon, and others enter by boat or raft on the Colorado River.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most developed part of Grand Canyon National Park. Most of the visitors view the canyon from this area. The more remote North Rim begins about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away on the other side of the canyon. However, the Grand Canyon is a natural barrier to rapid travel between the South and North rims. Visitors may drive around the canyon or hike across it. The distance around the canyon to the North Rim by road is 220 miles (354 kilometers). The hiking distance by trail across the canyon is almost 21 miles (34 kilometers). The trail takes most visitors at least two days to hike.
The headquarters of the park are at Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim of the canyon. Major viewing points along the South Rim include Desert View, Mather Point, and Hermit’s Rest. Among those on the North Rim are Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial. The South Rim is open to visitors throughout the year. The North Rim is closed from late October to mid-May because of heavy snow.
Recreational activities.
Grand Canyon National Park has dozens of hiking trails, covering hundreds of miles. The three main trails into the canyon are Bright Angel and South Kaibab, which begin on the South Rim, and North Kaibab, starting on the North Rim. These trails connect on the bottom of the canyon at Phantom Ranch, which has cabins, a dining hall, and a campground. Reservations are required for Phantom Ranch.
One-day and half-day trips by mule into the Grand Canyon begin on both the North and South rims. Two-day trips begin only on the South Rim. Visitors who take the two-day trip spend the night at Phantom Ranch.
Visitors may travel by boat or raft down the Colorado River as it flows east to west through the Grand Canyon. Private companies provide most of the river trips, but visitors with the proper skill and equipment may obtain permits to travel the river on their own.
The park also offers horseback riding and fishing, but hunting is prohibited. Reservations or permits are required for all overnight hikes, mule trips, and river tours. Applications should be made far in advance.
