Grand Canyon, USA

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Stunning natural wonder
Grand Canyon, USA

Many Travelers? Huge Tourist Crowds
Likes: Awe-inspiring nature scenery
Dislikes: Summer heat inside the canyon can be oppressive

Arizona’s Grand Canyon is world-renowned, and with good reason. Most travelers come here to see the stunning views from the viewpoints around the rim of this enormous beautiful canyon. Other travelers come to bike, hike, camp, or to raft on the Colorado River that continues to carve the canyon. Few leave unimpressed, and for some, being in the presence of the enormous, timeless canyon is a very moving experience.

Grand Canyon National Park is huge – almost 2000 square miles. Befitting it’s stature, it also draws some 5 million visitors a year, so at the more popular spots you likely won’t be alone.

The vast majority of visitors come to the South Rim, which offers a range of lodging, easier accessibility, paved paths between lookout points, and free shuttle buses that ferry visitors from one spot to another. The North Rim is less accessible and far less developed, though it offers the same caliber of stupendous views as the South Rim. The West Rim, home of the relatively new Skywalk, is another option. Note that the South Rim, North Rim, and Skywalk are each a long ways from each other, so most visitors will pick one of those three for their Grand Canyon experience.

The best way to experience the Grand Canyon is to stay a couple days inside the park at the South Rim, park your car and leave it there. If you just want to take in the views then a day or two is enough; if you want to hike or get a more thorough look around, you can easily spend a week or more here. Regardless, book lodging well in advance. If you get a place to stay outside the park, in summer you may find yourself waiting in line for an hour just to get in.

Hiking here is phenomenal, but plan your trip carefully. The South Rim is at 7000 feet so temperatures at the rim are fairly tolerable, but on the floor of the canyon summer temperatures soar to levels that are dangerous. Spring and fall are the best times to hike; summer is dangerously hot for hiking down in the canyon. Winter can be ok if you are prepared and have the right equipment, as there may be ice at the higher levels.

Cycling here is fantastic. Though bicycles are not allowed on trails within the national park, it’s fine to bike on anything that’s paved, and this will provide plenty of opportunity for various rides that offer wonderful scenery. It’s not too technical, and the exertion to reward ratio is very favorable. However, it can be very hot and there are no services in many areas, so plan carefully, be smart, and carry sufficient water.

There are a number of options for sleeping inside the park, ranging from camping, to lodges with various levels of character and comfort. If you require 5-star luxury you'll be unfulfilled, but others should be content with the available options.

Grand Canyon is a reasonable fit for families, but really only if the kids enjoy hiking or have an appreciation for nature.

Crowds are thickest from June through August, making parking a problem and making any desired solitary experience something that requires some effort.

The Canyon has huge sheer drops, and many visitors are tempted to perch on overlooks by cliff's edge. Not a good idea, but you'll see many do it anyway. The biggest safety issue is dehydration, so always carry plenty of water.

Considering what’s here, costs are very reasonable at $25 per car. There are day trips available from Las Vegas, but you'll be best served by staying out here a day or two.

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