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The Grand Canyon is one of the few true attractions within the United States that deserves to be on everyone's bucket list. From the fascinating nature to the breathtaking views to Phantom Ranch, the canyon is one of the most famous national parks in the country, and a recognizable destination all around the world.
(photo depicts the Delicate Arch in Moab, Utah)If you want to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park, you need to descend by nearly a vertical mile along a lot of switchbacks that are sliced in the edge of the rock formations. Knowing that the canyon is 6,000 feet deep (the average depth of the Grand Canyon is 5,280 feet) – a journey to the bottom of it requires training and planning for months in advance.
Moreover, hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon takes around 10 miles in total, with a big elevation change. There are different paths you can choose throughout the Grand Canyon National Park to reach your destination.
As we said above, the journey to the bottom of Grand Canyon is 10 miles long, and there is a big elevation change. If you are planning to hike down the Bright Angel Trail, it takes precisely 9.9 miles to reach the floor of the Grand Canyon, where the Bright Angel campground is located.
However, you can also go hiking through the South Kaibab Trail, which is a journey that is shorter and around 7.1 miles in length. This trail involves a greater elevation change (around 4,300 feet) which is why it is trickier, too.
Seeing the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park is an exciting experience, and hiking down to it is definitely a challenge. No matter whether you choose the Bright Angel trail or the South Kaibab trail, you need preparations and the entire journey can take up to five hours before you reach the destination at the bottom.
Also, it would not be very wise to consider hiking back on the same day. Instead, you can perhaps stay the night at the Bright Angel campground or at South Kaibab. Going back will require an additional 10 hours to reach the top, so getting accommodation down at the Grand Canyon is a wise move.
To get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you can hike, use a mule, or raft through the Colorado River. Below, we are giving you more details about each of these trips and options.
The general perception about the Grand Canyon is that there is no road that leads to the floor of the famous destination in Northern Arizona. However, there is one road that takes you through the inner canyon and to the bottom – the Diamond Creek road.
The Diamond Creek road is located in Peach Springs, which is a small town in Arizona positioned on the historic Route 66. To use the road to drive to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you will need permits, as the road sits on tribal land which is home to the Hualapai tribe. Getting a permit is easy and you can do it online.
Also, you will need a well-balanced vehicle for this type of trip, ideally a high-clearance 4x4. As soon as you start nearing the Colorado River, you will find many streams crossing the Diamond Creek road, and some small falls on the side of the road. Completing the Diamond Creek road trip can take up to an hour or more if you start from the Hualapai Lodge.
If you are looking for activities that you can do when reaching the floor of the canyon, you are on the right page. The truth is, there are not many activities to do there, as the main one is to just look at the steep-sided walls and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
You can camp at the Bright Angel Campground (which is located at half hour from Colorado River), or do backcountry camping. If you decide that the latter is a better option for you, you should know that permits are required and you will need to make a reservation in advance.
Reaching the base of the Grand Canyon gives you plenty of options to swim. One of the most popular locations for swimming are the Havasu Falls, where you can literally swim under the falls and dive in the turquoise blue waters. You will need a permit for this activity, and you can get it either by booking a spot at the campground or reserving your spot online.
To get to Havasu Falls, you can drive through Route 66 and turn onto Indian Road 18. Then, you should continue driving until you reach the Hualapai Hilltop parking lot. From here, you can take a helicopter ride ($85 fee) or hike to the Havasu Waterfalls.
In the middle of the canyon base, you can find Phantom Ranch, which is a location full of accommodation units and many other features. To get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch, you will need to hike through the inner-canyon trails. Another way to travel would be using a mule, which requires reservations. Lastly, you can also travel with a river raft through the Colorado River.
Phantom Ranch is one of the places located within the canyon where you can get solid accommodation. There are private cabins as well as gender-separated bunkhouses where you can overnight before you continue your adventure. There is also a canteen, which serves breakfast and dinner, but you need to make reservations.
The Grand Canyon has more than 5.9 million visitors each year, being one of the top destinations in the United States. The steep-sided canyon sits in Arizona and has the Colorado River flowing right between the walls. Since it is so big, the Grand Canyon can be experienced in four central locations:
The entire stretch of the Grand Canyon extends to 277 miles in length from east to west, and 18 miles in width. The canyon is one mile deep. Because of the distances and road networks, many people end up not hiking down to the bottom of the Canyon, which hosts plenty of attractions.
The Grand Canyon's national monument has been created in 1908, followed by the creation of the Grand Canyon National Park, which took place in 1919. The canyon is a major landmark in the US, and is best for rafting, hiking, backpacking, driving through scenic roads, riding mules and exploring the unique geography of the place. Below, we are sharing some useful tips for when you visit the canyon and all that it has to offer.
Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the mile-long Grand Canyon, mostly because you can find less crowds and more moderate temperatures. However, spring and fall bring more hikers, which is good if you want some company. Winter offers more solitude and a bit of snow and ice. Inner canyon hiking is not recommended in summer because of the extreme heat.
A place called Willians in Northern Arizona is the travellers' Mecca when it comes to bed-and-breakfasts. The idyllic place in the backcountry offers plenty of interesting options such as the Canyon Country Inn, where you can rest before the big adventure. For those who are looking to stay at Phantom Ranch, making reservations in advance is a must as it is the only lodging on the floor of the canyon.
The canteen at Phantom Ranch is a good place to eat and spend the night, but again, you need to contact them to make a reservation at least a week in advance. In Williams, Arizona, you can visit the Pine Country Restaurant and indulge yourself in the home cooked food and different flavors of pie served every day.
Hikers enjoy the 13-mile Rim Trail hike which is positioned on the South Rim. Known as one of the longest accessible trails in the national park, it offers plenty of adventure. You can use Yavapai Point as your starting point to learn about the canyon's geology, and continue hiking towards the Trailview Overlook and Powell Point. When you are done, you can hop onto a park shuttle and get a ride back to your vehicle.
Hiking or backpacking the loop that goes from South Kaibab to Bright Angel is an exciting journey. If you are feeling ready, you can park near the Bright Angel Trailhead, ride the shuttle bus to South Kaibab, and travel below the South Rim while camping near the banks of the Colorado River at the Bright Angel Campground. Permits are required for backcountry travel – you can get your permit around four months before your trip date, based on average availability.
Both of the areas are great for river rafting, and your choice depends on what you specifically search for when going in a raft. For instance, the North Rim is cooler as it is covered in natural shade from the trees, while the South Rim heats up drastically in summer. However, the atmosphere at the North area is more relaxing.
If you are in search for a town that is at less than an hour drive from the Grand Canyon National Park, you can visit Tusayan, which is a small village with a public airport. Williams is another great location which is only 45 minutes away from the South Rim of the canyon. The town has plenty of B&B's and is good for a walk and an overnight stay.
Most visitors make their first leg of the trip by air. The airport at Flagstaff is at 125 miles south. Las Vegas is located 300 miles west from the canyon, while Phoenix is at 270 miles south.
Need more information about any outdoor activities, transportation, riding in a car to Grand Canyon, or any of the additional park's services? Contact us and we will answer your questions!
