One of the USA’s most iconic natural landmarks, the Grand Canyon, marked the official start of its summer season on May 15 when the North Rim reopened after its winter hiatus.
Visitors can experience the best of this natural wonder’s sights, activities and lodging, with access to both sides of the canyon.
On the North Rim, visitors can spot the Colorado River standing on the rock “bridge” that is Angels Window. Erosion created this arch viewpoint, along with Vishnu Temple, a mountain peak that resembles a temple.
Walhalla Overlook offers sweeping views of the canyon, Echo Cliffs, Painted Desert and the Little Colorado River Gorge, whilst Walhalla Glades Pueblo, an Ancestral Puebloan site, provides an exploration of the tribes who lived both below and above the canyon rim about 1,000 years ago.
For scenic drives, Point Imperial, the highest point on either rim, is a dramatic 8,803-foot viewpoint that overlooks Painted Desert, Marble Canyon and eastern Grand Canyon.
Drivers can enjoy the journey to Fredonia, driving through the lush Kaibab National Forest to make a pit-stop to see the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from the Le Fevre Overlook.
With the North Kaibab Trail reopening on May 15, hikers can descend 5,800 feet on this challenging path — the only trail into the canyon from the North Rim to the Colorado River. The Bridle Path is a relaxing three-mile hike into the forest for those seeking an easier trail.
After obtaining a backcountry permit, campers can set up their canvas 6.8 miles below the North Rim at Cottonwood Campground, a site along the North Kaibab Trail. Alternatively, The Kaibab Paiute RV Park in Fredonia offers guests comfortable amenities, including private showers and a laundry facility.
Visitors can opt to stay in a historic cabin at Jacob Lake Inn, known as the gateway to the North Rim, located in the Kaibab National Forest and try the lodge’s legendary cookies. Open year-round, nearby outdoor adventures include biking and fishing at the Colorado River.
Visitors to the South Rim can witness breathtaking views at any time of the day at locals’ favourite viewing points. They can catch a sunrise at Yavapai Point or at Mather Point before exploring Grand Canyon Historic Village.
Alternatively, they can take in panoramic sights of the canyon at Hopi Point on Hermit Road or at Yaki Point on East Rim Drive, which is available only by shuttle or bike. After a long day of exploring, Lipan Point and Moran Point offer stunning views of the canyon engulfed in the orange, pink and purple hues of a signature Arizona sunset.
Grand Canyon National Park is a designated Dark Sky park. With free astronomy events year-round at the South Rim, stargazers can peer through telescopes and attend astronomer-led laser-guided talks.
A Buck Wild Hummer Tour takes visitors along the canyon’s rim in an open-air Hummer to venture to jaw-dropping lookout spots. Or, a Canyon Adventure Bike Tour offers routes ranging from five to 21 miles, ensuring bikers of all levels can enjoy a ride to different viewpoints.
For a bucket-list experience, Maverick Helicopters and Papillion’s Grand Kingdom helicopter Tour fly over both the South and North Rim, delivering rare sights of ancient rock formations and the Colorado River.
The South Kaibab Trail is the ideal trail for both day hikers who want stellar views whilst trekking into the canyon and seasoned hikers seeking to reach the Black Bridge, crossing the Colorado River.
The Trail of Time is a paved walkway along the rim with exhibits placed along the path showcasing the canyon’s geological timeline. This two-mile walk is ideal for those who aren’t quite ready to hike the canyon.
For accommodation, Mather Campground keeps campers immersed in the rim’s beauty thanks to the site’s location within Grand Canyon Village.
While available to campers and RV-ers year-round, reservations are required. Open from mid-April to mid-October, Desert View Campground offers campsites at the east entrance to the park that require reservations. RV-ers will feel at home at the Trailer Village RV park, the only in-park site with full hook-ups, and it has paved pull-through site for vehicles up to 50 feet
For those who prefer hotel accommodation, the El Tovar Hotel is a historic hotel inside the park, designed to be a mix of a “Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa” and just footsteps away from the canyon.
Located at the top of Bright Angel Trailhead, the Bright Angel Lodge offers charmingly rustic rooms and cabins for families.
Only a mile from the canyon, Tusayan is a small town that attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its various hiking and biking trails.
Stop at the Tusayan Visitor Center to catch a showing at the Grand Canyon IMAX theatre, then explore the town’s restaurants and shops while staying at The Holiday Inn Resort; The Squire at Grand Canyon or Red Feather Lodge.
