Hike Expeditions in Grand Canyon National Park

Hiking in Grand Canyon National Park can be a fun and rewarding experience as in other national parks. It is a great way to both see and experience the park.

Grand Canyon Field Institute is a program of the official nonprofit park partner, the Hike Grand Canyon Park Association, and serves thousands of Grand Canyon visitors each year. We offer fun and informative educational classes and guided hiking tours for everyone, from seasoned backpackers to families with children on their first visit to Grand Canyon.  

         
Grandview Trail. A 6.4-mile roundtrip with 2,500-foot return elevation gain on this unmaintained trail leads takes you to outstanding views from wooded Horseshoe Mesa. Very strenuous Trailhead at Grandview Point, 12 miles east of village on Desert View Drive.

Hermit Trail. This rocky unmaintained trail leads to views into Hermit Grand Canyon Park and a good day option is the hike to the shade and wild grapevines at Santa Maria Spring. It’s a 4.5-mile roundtrip with 1,760-foot return elevation gain. Strenuous Trailhead 500 feet west of Hermits Rest at the end of Hermit Road/West Rim Drive.

Rim Trail. The one truly level trail on the South Rim, it runs for 12 mostly paved miles with outstanding views along the way. Easy Trail access at viewpoints between Hermits Rest and Pipe Creek Vista off Desert View Drive.

South Kaibab Trail. A less crowded alternative to the Bright Angel Trail, its easiest day hike is the 1.8 –mile roundtrip to views at appropriately named Ooh-Aah Point 600 feet below the rim. It's one of two main routes to the canyon floor, and there is a very strenuous trailhead south of Yaki Point on Yaki Point Road. Access by shuttle bus only

Bright Angel Trail. A good though long day option on this classic route into the canyon is the 9.2-mile roundtrip (with a 3,000-foot return climb) to the spring at Indian Garden. Very Strenuous Trailhead next to Kolb Studio in Grand Canyon Village.

Blending forest and canyon scenery, this trail starts at the Widforss Trail parking area, one mile on the dirt Point Sublime Road, one-quarter mile south of Cape Royal Road turnoff. (10 miles, six hours)

The only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim gives hikers an appreciation for the beauty and immense size of the canyon. A full day should be allowed for a trip to Roaring Springs and back. This hike is strenuous. (9.4 miles, six to eight hours).

Camping At Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park encompasses canyons, river tributaries, and surrounding grounds. The Grand Canyon is situated in Arizona's northwestern quadrant. With five million visitors making the trip to the canyon each year, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. In addition, the park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

The Grand Canyon Park had a long and arduous road to becoming a national park, beginning in the 1880's with several failed congressional bills. After making multiple visits to the area, Theodore Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a National Monument in 1908. The bill to grant national park status to the area was passed in 1919 and signed by then-President Woodrow Wilson.                

           

Despite having more than million annual visitors, Grand Canyon National Park has only four campgrounds in its developed areas. These campgrounds frequently fill up during high season. By calling 800-365-2267, you can make reservations at the two largest ones Mather and North Rim—both of which are located near showers, laundry facilities, and stores. These campgrounds, and the first-come, first-served Desert View Campground (located on the South Rim near the Desert View Overlook), all offer comfortable tent camping, fire pits, and at least partial shade. There's also an RV-only campground, Trailer Village (303-297-2757), on the South Rim.

The South Rim is the more accessible part of the park, with many opportunities to see the Canyon from the comfort of your car. 90% of visitors only visit the South Rim. Along the Rim there is the Grand Canyon Village which is the center of activity and the transportation hub of the South Rim. It is the only spot where the railroad reaches the Canyon. Grand Canyon Village also has a historic district which was primarily built by Santa Fe railroad workers in the first half of the 20th century. All along the Grand Canyon Village, there are museums, areas to view the Canyon, and a free shuttle service.

Mather Campground is the only place for tent campers to stay in the Grand Canyon village.  This large campground also has space for small RV's, but hook-ups are not available.  The South Rim shuttle system comes right to the campground, and Market Plaza as well as laundry and shower facilities are within walking distance.  This is also a very busy campground so advanced reservations are advised. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times, and may not be left unattended. Wood and charcoal fires are only permitted in provided campsite grills. No gathering of down wood - wood may be purchased at the general store.

The North Rim campground is a tent campsite located in the North Rim village.  This is your only option for a drive-in campground in the North Rim village area.  Sites can be booked via an advanced reservation system, and for those don't make a reservation you will usually find all the sites full. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times, and may not be left unattended. Wood and charcoal fires are only permitted in provided campsite grills. No gathering of down wood - wood may be purchased at the general store. Coin operated laundry and showers are located at the entrance to the campground. Accessible campsites and restrooms are available.

Grand Canyon - Adventure Rafting Tour

One of the most amazing ways to go through the Grand Canyon is with a landing tour and also the added bonus of white water rafting through the scenic Black Canyon around the Colorado River. Most people to the Grand Canyon are lucky when they even get to glimpse a sliver from the Colorado River below throughout their whirlwind three-hour tour of the South Rim. However, putting yourself subject to the river and exploring the canyon's depths from aboard a raft is definitely an entirely different, and otherworldly, experience. So even when you've already checked the Grand Canyon off your must-see list, consider going for a plunge a mile beneath the rim. Not one other rafting trip combines a lot of days of staggering scenery, whitewater thrills, and magical hikes.

Grand Canyon national park is so extensive in arizona. Motorized rafting trips are often shorter than rowing or paddle trips as Non-Motorized trips travel in the speed of the Colorado river. For most people who travel through the Grand Canyon, the hiking of side canyons that accompanies the rafting expedition may be the highlight of their trip. Some rafting information mill known for doing more hiking, yet others for a wide range of speciality trips. For instance Geology, Astronomy or even having a live string quartet accompany you while dining river-side every night. The price of most expeditions includes meals, non-alcoholic beverages as well as your camping gear.

Some companies likewise incorporate pre and post trip transportation, meals, and pre trip lodging, check carefully for your best values. All participants in Grand Canyon River rafting Trips should be in good health. However, most Grand Canyon companies take pride in accommodating special needs passengers. Children
should be at least 7 to take part in a motorized trips, or 10 to get familiar with an oar or dory trip.