Did you know you can visit one of the 7 natural wonders of the world right here in the continental United States? At 18 miles wide and over a mile deep, the Grand Canyon is neither the longest nor the steepest canyon, but it is recognized for its overall size and beautifully colored landscapes that take your breath away. Situated in the northern part of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a great place to add to your next RV road trip itinerary.
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US with over 1.2 million acres of stunning natural beauty. A large part of the Grand Canyon is within the national park, but there are also parts that are located on tribal lands. There are four distinct sections with plenty here to keep you entertained and enthralled. You can explore by taking a scenic drive, hiking one of the many trails, or even rafting down the Colorado River. Here are some tips for visiting the Grand Canyon, prepare to be amazed!
Guest Post by Robin Buck
South Rim
The South Rim is the most popular entrance point and the only one that is open year-round. If you only have time for one area, you should definitely go to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This area is home to the park headquarters, but also has lodging and camping, dining, history, and the Visitor Center.
Trailheads for many of the best hikes as well as some of the top viewpoints are right along this ridgeline. Make sure to take advantage of the park’s free shuttle buses that operate between the Visitor Center and many of the scenic overlooks. Many visitors enjoy touring the Grand Canyon Historic Village to learn more about the historic buildings and natural landmarks of the area.
North Rim
The North Rim is only open from May to October because it is at a higher elevation and gets more snow. However, if you prefer a calmer and more rustic setting you will enjoy this side of the park. It is no less enchanting. In fact, our very first view of the canyon here was breathtaking and one of the few moments in life where we just couldn’t find the words to describe the overall beauty we saw. We also loved the bison herds grazing in the meadows as you arrive at the park and the less crowded trails. Of course, there are fewer services in this more remote area, but they do have a small general store and a campground.
East and West Rims
The lesser-used East Rim entrance to the park takes you by the picturesque Desert View Watchtower. A scenic 25-mile drive passes some great photo spots on the way to the South Rim. On the opposite side, the West Rim is located on lands owned by the Hualapai people and is outside the main park area. Here you can experience the thrilling Grand Canyon Skywalk, a thick reinforced glass walkway out over the canyon.
Hiking
One of the best ways to see the Grand Canyon is on foot on one of the many hiking trails. There are hikes for all ages and abilities that allow you to experience gorgeous views over the canyon. Not only that, but you can also get a glimpse of some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals that call the canyon home.
A popular easy hike is the Rim Trail which is accessible from the Visitor Center and goes in either direction to some amazing viewpoints. Most of the 13 miles is paved and much of the trail is pretty flat. The shuttle bus has numerous stops along the way, so you don’t have to commit to doing the whole thing but can just walk a smaller section if you want to. Definitely stop for spectacular vistas and photos at Grand View and Mather Point or watch a stunning sunset at Hopi Point.
One section of the Rim Trail is designated as the Trail of Time, an interpretive walking trail with exhibits that explain how the Grand Canyon was formed. Each meter on the timeline trail represents one million years of geologic history! If you are up for a more moderate hike I highly recommend taking the South Kaibab Trail to see Ooh Aah Point. This 1.8-mile out and back hike involves descending elevation and some switchbacks but is so worth it for the view at the scenic point. For the real adventurous, you can hike past the point and down to the bottom of the canyon, but always check in with park rangers before embarking on any lengthy or difficult trails.
More Ways to Explore
If you want to explore other ways to see the Grand Canyon, you can check into going by mule! There are companies who offer mule rides into the canyon from both the north and south rim areas. If mules are too slow for you, you might try a helicopter sightseeing tour where you can see the spectacular canyon scenery from high in the air. Another option is a fun rafting or kayak trip down the Colorado River through the canyon itself.
There are so many ways to experience this natural geologic wonder—no matter which one you choose you can’t go wrong. Be prepared to be awed everywhere you look and to want to take pictures of everything. The Grand Canyon is well worth a visit and you certainly won’t run out of amazing things to do!
Robin and her husband, Mike, are Air Force veterans and empty nesters who travel full-time in their Entegra Anthem motorhome. Always ready to explore, they love nature and wildlife, meeting new friends, and discovering America’s many hidden gems. Robin chronicles their adventures and experiences on her travel blog RVing with Robin.
