What About The Canyon?
One of the seven wonders of the natural world, Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919, only 5 years after Arizona became a state. The Grand Canyon itself, however, began forming 5-6 million years ago, and exposes geologic formations close to 2 billion years old. This is a little shy of the world's oldest rocks, which are found in Canada and date back 4 billion years. The main tool in the formation of this Grand Canyon is the Colorado River, which is used to measure the Grand Canyon's length of 277 miles. Near Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, the Canyon measures 1 mile deep, and 10 miles across. The Grand Canyon starts at Lee’s Ferry (below Lake Powell/Glen Canyon Dam), and ends at Grand Wash Cliffs near Lake Mead/Hoover Dam. Grand Canyon National Park makes up 1.2 million acres of the Grand Canyon, with the rest being on the Hualapai and Havasupai Reservations, or other federal lands.
Where Is The Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon is a vast place where driving can take many hours from one destination to the next. Grand Canyon Village, located on the South Rim, is the most popular destination, and the place where most images you have seen of the Canyon probably came from. Grand Canyon Village is a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, and a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas. The closest cities are Williams, AZ (1hr) and Flagstaff, AZ (1.5 hrs). To get to the North Rim, it is a 3 hour drive from Grand Canyon Village, 5 hours from Las Vegas via Zion National Park, and 6 hours from Phoenix. Another popular destination is Havasu Falls, located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The trail head for Havasu Falls is about 3 hours from Grand Canyon Village, 5 hours from Phoenix, and 4 hours from Las Vegas. Most hotels are located in Grand Canyon Village, or in the town of Tusayan, which is only a few miles from the South Entrance. There are some accommodations near Havasu Falls and the North Rim. Grand Canyon National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, unless bad weather, wildfires, or other conditions cause road or trail closure. It costs $25 per vehicle to get into the park, with extra fees for backpacking and camping.
When Should I Go & What’s The Weather Like?
The best overall weather at the Grand Canyon is usually during the Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November). Summer (June-August) is extremely hot and dry, although the monsoons bring some relief with afternoon rain from July to August. The Winter months (December-February) are cold with short days. There are however, exceptions to every rule. The North Rim is only open from May 15th to October 15th, with the road staying open until the first snow, which is usually some time in November. Hiking and camping on the North Rim’s alpine-like environment of over 8,000 ft is a wonderful way to avoid the summer heat, or you can get in that Rim to Rim hike for some relief. The hotter months of May through September are also the best time for Grand Canyon river rafting, due to the cool 45-degree water of the Colorado River. Summer is also a popular time to go to Havasu Falls, because of the endless opportunities to swim in pristine pools beneath Havasu Canyon’s beautiful waterfalls.
What’s There To Do?
Grand Canyon National Park sees nearly 5 million visitors each year, with an average visitation time of only 2 hours! For those of you who want a true Grand Canyon experience, recreation abounds, and a lifetime of exploration is at your fingertips. Hiking, backpacking, and whitewater rafting are some of the most popular activities. Rapture migrations, fly-fishing, and sightings of California Condors and Bighorn Sheep can all be part of your day. This is a destination that brings people from around the world, so don’t sell yourself short, and remember, you can’t see it all, but you can live each experience to its fullest! |
