Even after the centennial celebration of Grand Canyon National Park, the experience remains as magnificent as ever. The earth seems to disappear into the vast distance of peaks and plateaus and standing on the edge of the gorge is quite surreal. One of the most popular things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, is visiting this beautiful park.
The canyon itself is a 6,000 foot, and 277-mile long range of mountains, flipped to reveal massive sheer stone walls and astonishing desert landscape. Just below, surging turquoise streams of water cascade through the canyon and form pristine pools that glisten in the southwest sun. The flowing Colorado River that formed these exalted gorges over millennia seems to put into perspective one’s owns insignificance contrasted with all of the majesties of the canyon.
The only downside to this splendid panoramic view is that the park itself gets relatively crowded. In 2017, over 6.25 million visitors came to pay tribute to the Grand Canyon. However, with over 358 miles of trails and a river that floats 277 miles, both solitude and adventure wait below. If you are planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park, this guide will detail how to get the most from your trip.
Must-Know Information
One thing to keep in mind when visiting the Grand Canyon is the hot temperatures. The average temperature at the interior can reach triple digits in June through August. Unless you are well acclimated to the weather, it might be wise to visit outside of those hot months.
Secondly, if you would like to visit a less crowded area of the park, the North Rim receives about one tenth of the visitors and runs about ten degrees cooler due to the elevation.
Whatever season you plan your trip, be prepared to fill out some paperwork. Most of the adventure activities, such as camping, rafting or staying the night in the canyon, require being selected by a lottery to obtain the proper permits.
Be sure to put in your bid early. Autumn and springtime are the most popular times, and often, on colder days, there are very few applicants. If you are selected for the lottery, be prepared to pay the $200 to $400 deposit, depending on your group size.
The most accessible permits to get are the hiking and backpacking permits and cost only $10, in addition to $8 per person, per night. If you don’t end up scoring a license, fear not, there are still plenty of great sites and activities around the canyon.
Popular Base Camps
South Rim – El Tovar is a popular destination, so you will want to book your lodging well in advance. Some of these hotels do not have online booking and require a telephone call to reserve. If you are looking to camp in the South Rim, the best sites are in Grand Canyon Village at the Dessert View Campground. It’s only 12$ per night, but it is also first come, first served.
North Rim – The best lodging in the North Rim is the Western Cabins at the Grand Canyon Lodge. If all of the rooms are booked, you can still reserve a balcony to watch the sunset over the canyon.
Activities
Biking – A great place to rent bikes is located just next to the visitor’s center, called Bright Angel Bicycles. From there, The Hermit Road is the best path and is open March through November.
Hiking – Most visitors recommend skipping the crowded Bright Angel Trail and taking a shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead. From there, the trail winds to the river and is a 1.8-mile round trip.
Boating – When it comes to boating, there are two options: motorized raft or paddle raft. The paddle rafts are much more serene, and the motorized boats are often crowded. If you lack experience or want to book a tour, head over to OARS or AZRA for some all-inclusive boating packages.
Whether you are moving to Scottsdale or just visiting, you are bound to have a great adventure in Grand Canyon National Park.
No one knows Scottsdale better than Synergy Partners. Contact them at 480.581.1011 or email info(at)synergyrepartners(dotted)com.