Grand Canyon National Park

About Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park protects one of the deepest gorges on the planet, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years across northern Arizona. The canyon runs roughly 277 river miles end to end and drops around a mile from rim to river in places, exposing layers of rock that record billions of years of geological history. Most visitors head to the South Rim, which stays open year-round and holds the main visitor services, viewpoints, and the historic village. The North Rim sits higher and quieter, and it usually closes through the winter months because of snow, so check current seasonal access before planning a trip there.

The South Rim is where you'll find the classic overlooks: Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Grandview, and the string of stops along Desert View Drive out to the Watchtower. A free shuttle bus system covers much of the South Rim in the busier seasons, including sections of road closed to private cars, which makes getting between viewpoints easier than driving and parking yourself. If you want to go below the rim, trails like Bright Angel and the South Kaibab drop steeply toward the river. These are demanding day hikes, and going down is the easy part, so plan your time and water carefully and remember that hiking all the way to the river and back in a single day is strongly discouraged.

Entry to the park is paid and covers a set number of days per vehicle, so it's worth building a couple of days in if you can. Many people reach the canyon on a long day trip from Las Vegas, which is several hours away by road, while Flagstaff and Williams in Arizona make closer bases. Summer brings big crowds and real heat down in the canyon, while spring and autumn tend to be more comfortable at the rim. Sunrise and sunset are when the rock walls show off the most color, and both are worth setting an alarm for.