Since the days when Theodore Roosevelt declared that every American should see the Grand Canyon, the options for making that happen have expanded considerably. Bus tours, jeep tours, daylong jaunts to the canyon floor by helicopter, or epic treks on foot or by mule—these are just a few of the ways to explore the wonders of this national treasure.
Consider your timeline, budget, interests and physical ability when planning your Grand Canyon vacation. While it would be nice to spend a week or more exploring, it’s perfectly possible to have a wonderful experience at the canyon in a single day, taking it all in from the paved comforts of the South Rim trail, just a few steps away from tour bus drop-off points. Even an afternoon visit will leave you awed and inspired. Travelers from Las Vegas should consider a trip to the newly enhanced West Rim, an interesting and scenic three-hour drive from the city, and home to the brand new Skywalk bridge. Bus tour packages to the West Rim leave directly from Las Vegas hotels and often include meals, narrated tours and passes to the Skywalk.
A Grand Canyon helicopter tour is another great option if you’re short on time, and nothing compares to the sensation of floating down thousands of feet, past millions of years’ worth of rock formations. Helicopter tours also leave from Las Vegas, as well as other points near Grand Canyon Village, and allow you to see the canyon by day then dine on the Strip that same evening.
With more time to spare, consider experiencing the Grand Canyon from the bottom up. A Colorado River raft trip can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, and offers the opportunity to connect with the life source for the entire canyon. These trips accommodate adventurers with a surprisingly wide range of experience levels and physical ability.
Mule rides are an option for an afternoon or several days, and provide a unique means of traveling down the trail into the heart of the Grand Canyon. Overnight trips down Bright Angel Trail into Phantom Ranch allow riders time to contemplate the sights and history of the canyon while their four-footed friends take care of the footwork and heavy lifting. (Not too heavy—a weight limit of 200 pounds is strictly enforced.) It is more strenuous than one might expect to spend the better part of a day riding, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is necessary for a mule tour.
For those who love to hike, however, nothing beats their own two feet as a way to truly experience the world’s seventh natural wonder, whether it’s a series of day hikes with a comfy room to bunk down in at night, or a backcountry camping adventure (for which advance permits are required.) Water, planning, and not trying to do too much in one stretch are the keys to a safe and memorable Grand Canyon hike.
The choices for where to stay are as varied as how you get there and what you do once you’ve arrived. The park itself offers several different lodging and camping options on and around the South Rim, and the nearby town of Tusayan is full of convenient places to stay. Consider staying in Flagstaff or Williams to take in a little more of Northern Arizona, and be sure to explore lodging, tour and activity packages that can save money and time. It all begins here, where you’ll find the most complete information to help you plan the Grand Canyon vacation you’ve been dreaming of.
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