Enjoying Grand Canyon

“Overwhelming” and “humbling” are the words most often used to describe the Grand Canyon experience. One of the world’s most awesome sights, the canyon is 277 miles (443 km) long, 10 miles (16 km) wide, and as deep as a mile (1.6 km) in places. Because of the vast differences in elevation between floor and rim, the canyon encompasses a range of desert and mountain habitats. The South Rim, easier to access via road than the North Rim, is a five-hour drive away from Las Vegas. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is accessible by road year-round, but the North Rim road and facilities are closed from November to mid-May. You will need a permit to camp outside the official campsites within the national park. Apply in advance at the Backcountry Information Center.

In this Grand Canyon, you can enjoy the scenery of flyovers, flat water adventure, and the visitor centre. In Flyovers, airplane flights to the Grand Canyon rank among the most popular day trips from Las Vegas. And if you want a taste of canyon rafting, sign up for a one-day flatwater rafting tour. The tours begin at the Glen Canyon Dam and travel 15 miles (24 km) downstream to Lee’s Ferry, which is the entrance to Marble Canyon and the beginning of the Grand Canyon itself. Along the way, near-vertical canyon walls raise high above the lake-like surface of the river.

But, before you go to there, you should go to visitor centers. Information centers at the North and South Rims of the canyon supply free maps as well as The Guide, which has general park information, The Jr. Ranger Guide, listing children’s activities, and The Accessibility Guide, with information for disabled visitors. The Grand Canyon Railway runs from the town of Williams to Grand Canyon Village, close to the South Rim Visitor Center. Great observation points are near both centers.