Looking for an escape from reality in the form of a vacation? The Grand Canyon checks the box. Equipped with orange sunsets that mirror the red hue of the desert canyons below, this natural wonder of the world provides the perfect place for a soul in search of adventure. Before you get ahead of yourself, you must uncover a few things to plan the adventure of a lifetime.
Read below for information and tips to orchestrate the best Grand Canyon experience for you to enjoy.
The South Rim
The most famous region of the Grand Canyon, the South Rim, attracts over 90% of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors. This area of the national park invites family friendly oriented guests with its numerous accommodations and attractions. The South Rim sits lower in elevation than the North Rim and includes 10 times the amount of lookout points. This part of the Grand Canyon opens year-round, unlike The North Rim who opens only from late October to mid-May. Available activities as the South Rim include sightseeing, shopping, and immersing yourself in the Canyon experience. Additionally, multiple trail heads and camping spots lie just in your reach.
“When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll want to visit the South Rim’s Historic Village. The South Rim Village features a wide variety of shops, restaurants and lodging venues. If you’re looking to get the most out of your stay, I’d highly recommend a hike down into the Canyon on Bright Angel Trail,” VIP Sales and Community Relations Manager at Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel and Grand Canyon Lodges Sam Langner said.
Multiple attractions lay at the tip of your fingers, it just comes down to which one you want to visit. If a guided tour, horse backing or camping on the riverbank sparks your interest, the South Rim provides the perfect escape.
Where Do You Stay in The South Rim?
Since the South Rim’s popularity makes it the most visit part, you will find more accommodations here. Many visitors choose to stay in the town of Williams or Flagstaff and drive to the canyon during the day. Williams, located on the iconic Route 66, falls only 60 miles from the South Rim. Flagstaff, found a little further away, falls 9 miles from the South Rim. Additionally, this section of the Grand Canyon contains many camping grounds and sites for lots of canyon camping fun.
“If you’re planning on traveling to the Grand Canyon on a budget, a campsite at Mather Campground is a quick and easy way to stay the night(s). Maswik Lodge also offers lodging at a reasonable price, be sure to book well in advance,” Langner said.
If splurging for a night or two interests you, The View Hotel, offers unmatched views of the Southern Landscape. Resting on Navajo Land ensures untouched scenery surrounding the grounds. Due to the popularity of this part of the Grand Canyon, you need to keep your visiting dates in mind. Spots fill up quickly and to ensure the best trip for you and your friends, you need to book in advance. Depending on your room, the price can vary. For example, priced around $240 dollars a night, the Starlight Room gives you an up close and personal celestial display.
The North Rim
Contrasting the South Rim, the North Rim attracts only 10% of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors. Don’t let this statistic fool you though, the 1000 feet change in elevation comes with a new scenery that rivals the Southern Rim’s view. This area of the Grand Canyon contains scenic drives and lush nature in addition to the different types of animals that inhabit the land. This different type of climate can thrive due to the seclusion that comes with the 5-hour difference between the North and South Rims. While the North Rim and South Rim provide different experiences, each one includes a factor that makes it memorable. For the North Rim, its mountainous lookouts and scenery makes it most memorable to visitors. Enjoy an amazing experience roaming through the desert oasis.
“This past summer my friends and I reunited for a road trip through Arizona, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Starting in Tuscon, we drove through Phoenix and made our way up to Horseshoe bend, where we stayed in the cutest little Airbnb. We then made our way to Flagstaff where we stayed on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, hiking down the canyon at sunrise and watching the sunset over the rocks,” Auburn University senior Hannah Wehr said.
Sunsets provide spectacular views in the North Rim as the rolling canyons create the perfect backdrop to the orange and pink hues of the sky. Although the South Rim falls closer to neighboring cities such as Flagstaff and Williams, the serenity that comes with the Northern Rim makes the trip worth your while. A 2-hour drive from Zion National Park, the North Rim qualifies as an easy day trip from the Utah side of the border.
Where Do You Stay in The North Rim?
Due to the terrain of the North Rim, the lodging options do not compare to the abundance of accommodations in the South Rim. While The North Rim holds fewer lodging locations, the serenity that comes with isolation can’t be beat. Most of its visitors stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge which offers over 100 cabins and motel rooms. This Lodge, while one of the only lodges in the North Rim, includes incredible and untouched views of the surrounding canyon oasis. Relax and enjoy the silence that comes with nature in the North Rim.
The East Canyon
The East Canyon contains some of the most iconic Grand Canyon locations. With a climate like the South Rim, the East Canyon includes candescent views of its desert oasis. Attractions such as Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Rainbow Bridge separate themselves as must-see bucket list items for park visitors. Antelope Canyon gained photographic prominence as the painted canyon walls grew global attention when added to Apple’s universal lock screens.
“It was really cool to see how uniquely shaped the eroded walls of Antelope canyon was. You could see the individual bends and curves of each rock, it almost felt like I was in a Picasso painting,” Auburn University senior Sam Kellogg said. Antelope Canyon entrances viewers from all over the world due to its abstract lines and dimensional rock figures.
While smaller in size, the East Canyon holds many gems of the 1,902 mile long Grand Canyon. Other than Antelope Canyon, visitors also recognize a multitude of iconic destinations in the East Canyon. Because of its easy access, dazzling views and iconic attractions, park visitors recommend a day trip to the East Canyon when staying in nearby areas or the South Rim. Do not overlook the East Canyon when planning your trip.
Where Do You Stay in The East Canyon?
Few lodging options exist in the East Canyon as most of the land here belongs to the Navajo Indian Tribes. This aspect gives the East Canyon a special feel. The land is connected with history and tradition, an aspect that does not remain in other areas of the Grand Canyon. Nevertheless, the three recommended areas to stay around the East Canyon include: Cameron Trading Post, Tuba City and Page, Arizona. Each of these locations hold many quality options for lodging.
The West Canyon
While equally as grandiose as its fellow canyons, the West Canyon contains fewer hot spot attractions. Its most famous portion gives visitors a death-defying experience. The Skywalk Glass Bridge’s glass floor allows you to stare 4,000 feet below into the bottom of the canyon. For thrill seeking individuals, this lands at the top of your list. While the West Canyon contains less iconic attractions than the East Canyon, it still deserves a visit. This spot allows you to take in the full experience of what the Grand Canyon offers.
“Regardless of your age, a visit to Grand Canyon National Park is a bucket list item. Each year, over six million visitors flock to Northern Arizona for the spanning views, world class hiking opportunities, and iconic hotels and shops that make the Grand Canyon Village one of the most memorable places on the planet,” Langner said.
Time and time again, visitors refer to the Grand Canyon as one of the most important places to visit in the United States, the West Canyon included. Closer to Las Vegas than any other Rim of the Grand Canyon, this could potentially fit your perfect day trip and escape from Sin City needs. Leave your troubles behind in Vegas and travel to the open aired, worry free and beautiful West Canyon. No better place to forget what happened in Vegas than the West Canyon.
Where Do You Stay in The West Canyon?
The lodging around the West Canyon gives visitors the ability to interact with the lodging itself. Here, you can stay in desert themed cabins that come equipped with true cowboys, campfire stories and orange sunsets. If you don’t want to stay at The Grand Canyon West Cabins, give Vegas a try.
The Grand Canyon’s picturesque landscape, serene environment and ample activities draw in visitors from across the globe. The perfect place for an active yet gratifying getaway, the Grand Canyon invites its guests to detach from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in the essence of its natural wonder. For those who seek a vacation of the fullest extent for the biggest bang for their buck, The Grand Canyon checks all the boxes. The surrounding area includes consciously curated hotels and campsites that amplify the serenity of the desert and those that inhabit it. Get ready to plan the most memorable trip of your lifetime at the Grand Canyon!
