The
Grand Canyon is not the deepest in the world, or even in the United States, but
it is known throughout the world for its overwhelming size, colorful landscape
and incomparable vistas. In carving this vast canyon, the Colorado River has
exposed ancient rock layers that record much of the early geologic history of
North America.
The canyon is 277 miles long, beginning at Lees Ferry near the Utah border and
ending at the Grand Walsh Cliffs near the edge of Nevada's Lake Mead. The Grand
Canyon is located entirely within Arizona and most of the canyon lies within
Grand Canyon National Park. The park includes more than 1.2 million acres of
land.
At its deepest the canyon is 6,000 vertical feet from rim to river. At the South
Rim, near Grand Canyon Village, it's a vertical mile from rim to river, or seven
miles by hiking trail. A trip to the bottom of the canyon and back, on foot or
by mule, is a two-day journey.
Overnight hikers may stay and eat at Phantom Ranch (reservations required).
Hikers must pack plenty of water. While summer temperatures on the South Rim are
a relatively pleasant 50-80 degrees F, temperatures in the canyon can be
extreme, with daytime highs at river level often exceeding 100 degrees F.
Nearly five million people see the Grand Canyon each year, most from their cars
at overlooks along the South Rim. The South Rim is the most accessible part of
the park and is open year-round. A much smaller number of people see the canyon
from the North Rim, only 10 miles from the South Rim as the crow flies, but a
220-mile journey by car or 21-mile, three-day hike by way of the North and South
Kaibab Trials. Because of its higher elevation and greater snowfall, the North
Rim is closed from late October to mid-May.
The only way to cross the canyon by car is on the Navajo Bridge, just a few
miles downstream from Lees Ferry where the canyon is still only 400 feet wide.
For those who want to see the canyon from the Colorado River, about 20 operators
offer trips on motorized or oar-powered rafts and dories. River trips range from
a few days to three weeks; there are no one-day river trips through the Grand
Canyon!
Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim has food, lodging, campgrounds and a full
range of services. The North Rim has food, lodging, a tent campground and other
services. Reservations are essential for lodging, camping and mule trips, which
often are booked a year ahead.
Call AmFac Parks and Resorts, 303-297-2757 (14001 E. Iliff, Suite 600, Aurora,
CO 80014) to reserve lodging at the North or South Rims or Phantom Ranch, RV
camping at Trailer Village or mule trips. For Mather Campground at Grand Canyon
Village, call 800-365-2267 or 301-722-1257.
All overnight camping below the rim, as well as camping in undeveloped areas on
the rim, requires a permit from the Backcountry Office, Grand Canyon National
Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, phone 520-638-7875.
Welcome
to Page-Lake Powell
