The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in not only America, but the entire world! This popularity comes for a good reason, as the location offers sights that are unmatched in other areas of the globe. The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River eroding the Colorado Plateau down for millennia, leaving the massive canyon in it’s wake! There is plenty to see and explore while visiting the Grand Canyon, and we’ll be taking a look at some of the most rewarding activities in this video.
From taking a tour of Grand Canyon National Park on a mule to feeling as if you’re floating in the air on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, join ViewCation as we take a look at the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park.
Take a Hike!
Few people will get more out of visiting the Grand Canyon than hikers. Both Grand Canyon National Park and the greater surrounding area feature a surplus of incredible hikes that allow you to soak in the scenery of the region. The hikes can vary greatly in difficulty, with some of them featuring some pretty significant changes in altitude over their course. Regardless of your hiking skills, most should be able to find at least one trail in the area that will perfectly suit them. The Grand Canyon itself is nearly 300 miles long, and there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails around it.
Despite the fact that the Grand Canyon remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it’s expansive natural habitat still makes it possible for visitors to feel as if they’re secluded. Some of the hikes are so expansive that visitors have been known to succumb to exhaustion and require rescuing if they aren’t careful. Be sure to plan your hike in advance, and don’t try to push yourself if the weather’s too hot! With it’s Utah location, the Grand Canyon can get particularly hot in the summer months.
Some of the most popular trails around Grand Canyon National Park include the South Rim Trail, the Bright Angel Trail, and the South Kaibab Trail. The South Rim Trail is the easiest of these trails given that it is paved for most of the way, but it’s also the lengthiest at 14 miles. There is a short section of the South Rim Trail by the name of the Trail of Time which functions as it’s own trail and feature several informational panels along it’s length that teach hikers about the area’s history and the formation of the canyon. This smaller section of the bigger trail is only 1.7 miles long.
Those looking for some more challenging trails while visiting Grand Canyon National Park can try the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kabab Trail. The Bright Angel Trail is 9.5 miles long and descends over 4000 feet over the course of it’s length. Meanwhile, the South Kaibab Trail is just a tab bit shorter than the Bright Angel Trail, but also a tad bit steeper!
Take a Tour of the Grand Canyon on a Mule
Mule ride tours are offered through Grand Canyon National Park by way of Xanterra Travel Collection. Most of the mule rides are only a few hours long, though there are also some overnight options for more adventurous visitors. The rides can take visitors along some of the area’s more popular trails, including the hiking trails mentioned previously.
For those that want to get a taste of what the area has to offer but no longer have the leg power to make it on the exuberant hikes, taking a ride on a mule can be the perfect way to experience the Grand Canyon. The rides can be incredibly popular, so customers are chosen through a lottery.
Take the Train to Grand Canyon National Park
One of the greatest ways to arrive at Grand Canyon National Park is to take the train! The Grand Canyon Railway offers visitors the chance to take a long train ride along the canyon, with the final destination being Grand Canyon National Park. To take the train to Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll have to park in Arizona. The train ride itself is around 60 miles.
If you’re looking for a unique way to arrive at your destination that takes full advantage of the Grand Canyon’s beautiful scenery, the Grand Canyon Railway is your answer!
Go for a Scenic Drive
Given that the Grand Canyon is nearly 300 miles long, it’s the perfect place to go for a scenic drive! There’s more beautiful scenery around the region than any one person could see in a day, so driving around the area gives visitors the perfect opportunity to take in as much of the scenery as possible.
There’s a reason that the Grand Canyon has become an ideal destination for those going on cross-country road trips, and the immense amount of scenic driving opportunities in the region is certainly a huge part of it!
Spend a Few Nights Camping Under the Stars
One of the best parts about being at Grand Canyon National Park is that the expansive openness allows for unprecedented views of the stars at night. Because of this, it’s common for visitors to spend a night or two camping at the Grand Canyon so that they can sit out and experience it’s openness for themselves in peace. You can camp in a tent or in an RV, though camping in a tent will certainly give you a better feeling for the area’s expansiveness.
Go on a Rafting Excursion
At the bottom of the Grand Canyon is a significant portion of the Colorado River, and one of the most popular things to do for those visiting Grand Canyon National Park is to go rafting along it. Visitors can sign up for rafting tours through a variety of different companies, with them all offering something a little unique. Whether you’re looking for intense rafting or more of an educational tour of the region along the river, you’ll likely be able to find the right expedition for you!
Tour the Grand Canyon by Helicopter
There is plenty of scenery that you can take in around the Grand Canyon on foot, mule, or by car, but there are some aspects of the region that you just won’t be able to appreciate unless you’re allowed the chance to view the area by helicopter. As with rafting expeditions, there are numerous different avenues available for those looking to tour the Grand Canyon by helicopter. If you truly want to experience just how vast the canyon is, you need to try it!
Take a Bike Trip Along Hermit Road
If you’re a cyclist visiting Grand Canyon National Park, you may be interested in renting a bike from Bright Angel Bicycles and cycling along Hermit Road. The road itself is seven miles along, and there’s an option to have a shuttle take you back once you get to the end of it. The ride can be fairly relaxing if you don’t have to make the trip back!
Experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk
Although it’s not technically a part of Grand Canyon National Park, visitors to the greater area of the Grand Canyon will be remiss not to experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk. That is, so long as they have the stomach for it! The Grand Canyon Skywalk is an area that extends 70 feet out over the canyon and features an invisible floor that allows you to feel as if you’re floating over it’s expanse.
The feeling can be surreal, and some visitors might not like it! However, those who have the nerve will certainly enjoy the unique experience. While standing on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, there will be only four inches of glass separating you from a 4,000-foot drop to the bottom of the Grand Canyon!
Visit the Yavapai Museum of Geology
Those who are interested in the science of the Grand Canyon will certainly be interested in visiting the Yavapai Museum of Geology. The museum is located at the Yavapai Observation Station and allows visitors the chance to learn about the history of the area and the formation of the canyon. The museum functions as the final destination for those walking along the aforementioned Trail of Time, which starts at Grand Canyon National Park’s Visitor Center.
Visit the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater
Those looking to learn about the Grand Canyon fast may be able to get a lot out of watching Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets, which is a 34-minute-long documentary feature that is presented within the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater inside the Visitor Center of Grand Canyon National Park. While it may seem counterintuitive to go inside and watch a movie about a location that you happen to be currently visiting, watching the film gives visitors a chance to cool off for a little bit after walking around in the hot Utah sun all day, and it also teaches visitors about the history of the region!
Catch the Sunrise and Sunset
Finally, visitors to the Grand Canyon will certainly be remiss if they fail to catch at least one sunrise and sunset during their time in the region. There are numerous established viewpoints along Grand Canyon National Park’s more popular trials that will provide visitors with the absolutely perfect place to view either the sunrise or the sunset.
With all of these aforementioned activities for visitors to take part in, it’s no wonder that the Grand Canyon remains one of the preeminent tourist destinations in not only America, but the world over. Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that the Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River eroding against the Colorado Plateau for millennia, and that the canyon is nearly 300 miles long? As always, like this video to show your support, and subscribe to the channel if you’d like to be among the first to know when more informative ViewCation videos are on their way!