Visiting The Grand Canyon in Photographs
Arizona is known worldwide for the famous Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is located in the NorthWest corner of Arizona. As one of the 7 Natural World Wonders,millions of people come to see this deep canyon that time and the mighty Colorado River carved. The majority of visitors to this national park will visit the South Rim through South Entrance Road. Most people visit this part because it is the most accessible. While it seems close, the North Rim is a 5 hour drive from the South Rim. From the South Entrance the first and most popular gathering spot is Mather Point. Mather Point is where most people get their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. It will be hard to miss the jam packed parking lot to your right. Often cars will be parked up and down the right side of the road. Find your spot and then take a look.
It is hard to describe the feeling you will have overlooking this one mile deep canyon-photographs can never capture the true beauty of nature. The colors, the depth and the sheer expanse of the canyon and well you just have to come see for yourself. For many the drive will continue west on to Yavapai Point and the Observation Station. The observation station has large glass pane windows that offer an incredible view of the canyon as well as a great source of information regarding the canyon itself.
Continue driving west to reach the Park Headquarters where there is a lodge as well as a Bank, Post Office, Store and an Amphitheater. Not too much further and you'll come to another hub of activity which consists of the train depot (for Williams), the Bright Angel Trailhead, Several Lodges, Studios, El Tovar Hotel, Hopi House and Verkamps Curios.
The views around this area are beautiful as well.
Does anyone live here? Native Americans have been living in the Grand Canyon and in the immediate area surrounding the Canyon for thousands of years. Today several tribes still call this area home. The Havasupai live in the middle of the Grand Canyon, Hopi, Hualapai, Kaibab-Paiute, and the Navajo live in the immediate area surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park. Who Discovered the Canyon? García López de Cárdenas, is credited as being the first European to discover the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. He went searching for a river in 1540 and discovered the canyon. In 1869, the Powell Geographic Expedition was the first passage through the Grand Canyon. John Wesley Powell, a southwest explorer, led a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers. The first pioneer settlements appeared in the 1880's specifically attracted to mining opportunities in the area. Tourists use to take a stagecoach ride from nearby towns to visit, then in 1901 The Grand Canyon Rail opened in Williams, AZ to make the trip more comfortable. You can still ride in a train on this route today. The Grand Canyon became a national park in 1917 and has seen millions of visitors ever since.
How deep is the Grand Canyon? This impressive canyon is not the deepest canyon in the world, but at 1 mile deep, 18 miles wide and 277 miles long it is one huge canyon! The South Rim is at a 7,000 foot elevation and the North Rim is close to 9,000 feet in elevation. Weather Note that if you fly into Phoenix there is a big temperature difference at the Grand Canyon. Summers in the Grand Canyon are pleasant, spring and fall can be much cooler than it is in Phoenix, so layering your clothing is a good idea. Winter is much cooler and it is impossible to view the North Rim during the winter months as the roads will start to close mid October due to snow.
Spots you may want to visit while at the
Grand Canyon National Park |
The highest concentrations of people gather around Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Village area. For a little less congestion drive east on Desert View Drive for the next 23 miles. The Free Shuttle buses do not come this way, so if you want to see the East side of the canyon you'll need a car. Places to visit at the Grand Canyon You can view several great spots: including Grandview Point, Moran Point, and the Tusayan Ruin and Museum. The Tusayan Ruin and Museum offers you a glimpse of how the Pueblo Indians lived some 800 years ago. It is on the National Historic Registry.
entrance to museum
Kiva Click here to see more photos of the Tusayan Ruin & Museum. Driving further east from the Tusayan you can stop at Lipan Point and Navajo Point and end at Desert View point. If you are visiting the Grand Canyon I would highly recommend not to forget to see the sights on the East Entrance area. Navajo point has spectacular views of the 1930's Watchtower overlooking the canyon as well as of the Colorado River.
Watchtower from Navajo Point The Watchtower is found at Desert View Point and is a pretty cool building to explore. You enter through a gift shop and make your way up four flights of stairs to the top. Each floor is circular with petroglyph drawings on the walls and windows to view the canyon.
Click here to see photos of inside the Watchtower at Desert View Point.
Cedar Mountain with views of The Painted Desert to the immediate left. How Long does it Take to See? A trip to the Grand Canyon can be an unforgettable experience with some planning. Some choose to hike, some take a mule ride, a helicopter ride, or experience the Colorado river on a raft. However you choose to see it you won't be disappointed in this natural wonder. If you are staying in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a wonderful spot to spend a few days and truly enjoy the views and the many trails. To drive from the South Rim to the East Rim is close to 25 miles one way. A Visit to the Grand Canyon can be a weekend trip or a destination in itself. View the canyon, hike the many trails, go rafting on the Colorado River, view waterfalls, whatever you choose to do-enjoy the nature that surrounds you! We suggest visiting the National Park's web site for up to date information on weather and road closures before you begin your journey. A 7-day pass to the Grand Canyon National Park will cost you $25.00 (for a car) as of 2009. There are three FREE Shuttle bus routes in the Grand Canyon. Hermit's Rest Route, Village Route and Kaibab Trail Route. When you enter the Grand Canyon they will give you a newspaper called
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