Explore Grand Canyon National Park

Hello, once again I’m letting my guest Laura take the keyboard to tell you about her continuing journey through the American West.

This time I’m taking you on a tour of America’s most popular national park: the Grand Canyon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, Grand Canyon is the most visited national park in the US! Every year, it welcomes around 6 million visitors. One of the wonders of Arizona is truly the Grand Canyon!

I must admit that discovering the Grand Canyon National Park was one of the moments I was most looking forward to when preparing for my road trip to the United States. Although, in hindsight, my preference was Bryce Canyon, I can tell you that I wasn’t disappointed – the scenery was simply unique and breathtaking! I’d better warn you, if you’re doing a road trip in the American West, the Grand Canyon is a must-see. But that’s not all, as the west coast of the US is also home to some magnificent national parks, including Zion Park, Monument Valley, Antelope Park and the aforementioned Bryce Canyon.

The aim of this article is to guide you through the Grand Canyon National Park! I’ll be looking back on my time there and sharing with you the best viewpoints, the best hikes and all the practical information you need!

First, let me give you a little background on the history of the Grand Canyon and, on a more practical level, tell you exactly where it is.

Often called the geological wonder of the United States, the Grand Canyon formed at least 70 million years ago. Tectonic plate movements on the Colorado Plateau started it all. Various materials (lava, sediments) then accumulated at the bottom of the Colorado River. It’s thanks to the erosion of these materials that the Grand Canyon is known today: rocks, mountain ranges with varying colours (purple, green, orange) and vast desert areas were created. It’s a sight worth seeing!

The Grand Canyon is located in the north-east of Arizona and its south entrance is 450 km from the city of Las Vegas. A small tip: if you’re coming from Las Vegas, you can drive part of the way on the legendary Route 66! I should point out that the Grand Canyon is a huge national park: Its mountain ranges, multicoloured rocks and winding trails stretch for 445 km (the same distance from Las Vegas!). All of these vast areas are, of course, protected.

To help you find your way around the Grand Canyon from the start, I’d like to explain the different areas and parts of the Grand Canyon.

The South Rim, like it says, is the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It is the rim with the most developed trails and the most tourists. It’s easy to get to. And if you do, you’ll get some of the best views of the Grand Canyon.

This is simply the second rim of the Grand Canyon (the North Rim) and is the wilder of the two. Its advantages? There are very few tourists and nature is more pristine! As you can imagine, there’s a little downside: it’s not easy to get to and the trails are sometimes rough. I haven’t had the chance to go there, but from what I’ve heard it’s just as worth a visit as the South Rim. I’d also like to point out that the scenery from the North Rim is much greener and more wooden than from the South Rim, because the climate is cooler there, at a higher altitude.

As I said before, there are only two rims of the Grand Canyon, but a lot of times you will hear people talking about the West Rim. This simply refers to the western part of the National Park, which belongs to the Hualapai Indians.

Now that we’ve had a chance to take stock of the different rims, let’s move on to the Grand Canyon’s best viewpoints!

I had to start with this one because it’s my favourite! The panoramic view of this part of the Grand Canyon is simply magnificent. It’s simply the best place to see the sunrise or sunset (your choice!). At these times of day, the colours of the rocks really come into their own. There are beautiful shades of warm colours. It’s only a 15 minute walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre, so I highly recommend it!

As the name suggests, the Desert View Watchtower offers the most panoramic view of the entire Grand Canyon. You can see all the trails, red rocks, cliffs and peaks, each higher than the last! If you have the time, you won’t be disappointed!

Mohave Point is, in my opinion, one of the best overlooks in the Grand Canyon. What makes it unique is that you can see the Colorado River from the heart of this magnificent canyon. This point is a bit further away than the previous one, but I can assure you it’s well worth the detour!

Grand View Point is one of the most famous spots in the Grand Canyon. When I got there, I realised just how vast the American national park is. The panoramic view is breathtaking!

The scenery at Lipan Point is nothing short of spectacular! From the viewpoint you have a breathtaking view of the cliffs, the Colorado River and the entire southern Colorado Plateau.

In my opinion, these first 5 overlooks are the most beautiful spots in the Grand Canyon. They’re all on the South Rim (no excuse not to go, ahah), so you’ll have to walk a bit to get to some of them. If you’re in the Grand Canyon for more than a day and have the time, I’d recommend many other viewpoints that are equally beautiful.

Mather Point is the most popular lookout point in the whole of the national park. You may be wondering why I haven’t mentioned it before. The reason is simple: in my opinion, although it’s the best known, it’s not the most spectacular. But it’s still very beautiful. It’s certainly the best known, as it’s close to the Visitor Centre. In fact, it’s the first viewpoint after the entrance and the Visitor Centre. You’ll be immediately impressed, without realising that this is just the beginning!

Situated at 2,213 m above sea level, Yaki Point is one of the highest and most vertiginous vantage points in the Canyon. It offers breathtaking views of the mountain ranges and in particular of Wotan’s Throne and the Temple of Vishnu (2 mythical and popular peaks in the Grand Canyon that rise to over 2,300 m). It’s a truly impressive sight and one of the must-sees in the American national park!

If I had to describe this spot in a few words, I’d say it’s just as beautiful as some of the other more popular viewpoints. It’s not very far from Hopi Point, but the advantage is that it’s less crowded! It’s a really good idea to get away from it all and watch the sunset!

Navajo Point is simply the highest overlook in the Grand Canyon. It offers open-air scenery as far as the eye can see! It’s not far from Desert View Watcher. You can even see rafts meandering down the Colorado River before your very eyes in this western setting.

This bridge is special – spectacular! It forms an arch over 140 metres high and overlooks the emerald-hued Colorado River (Marble Canyon section). It is a very busy place, but I can assure you that it is well worth the stop! The views are truly breathtaking. For the record, I’m afraid of heights, but the view is so impressive that I was able to put my fear aside for a few minutes.

I took a tour of the best overlooks in the Grand Canyon. You may have guessed it, but the Grand Canyon is full of other places to admire its grandiose scenery that are well worth the detours. If you have time, I recommend Maricopa Point, Guano Point, the Abyss, Pima Point, Ooh Aah Point and Skeleton Point.

Now I’d like to take you on a tour of the best hikes in the Grand Canyon. There are so many, you’ll be spoilt for choice! In order not to scare you off at the start, I suggest we start with a crescendo of easy hikes!

• Time : 1h30-2h
• Distance: 4.5 km

This trail offers views of magnificent desert and red rocky landscapes. Most importantly, it tells the story of the Grand Canyon over billions of years. To give you an idea, as you walk along the trail you can discover geological explanations of the history of the Grand Canyon with small samples of rock formations. I thought it was really well done and very interesting! It’s also an easy and accessible hike!

• Time: 1 hour
• Distance: 1.6 km

Let’s continue with this beautiful, yet easy hike! Along the way, you can get up close and personal with the wildflowers, the colourful cliffs and even come across some wild squirrels. The advantage of this hike is that it’s not too busy, so you can take your time and enjoy the incredible views!

• Time: 9 to 12 hours
• Distance: 19.6 km

Here we are, on what is considered a difficult hike that can be done in 2 days. Don’t worry, you’ll find refreshment points and drinking water along the way (you’ll really need it in the summer, trust me). This trail is very popular, it’s simply magnificent and allows you to descend into the depths of the Grand Canyon to admire the rocks, the desert, but also to retrace the footsteps of the first civilisations. A Wild West setting for total immersion!

Time: 12 hours
Distance: 23 km

This trail is a real adventure. It’s best for experienced hikers because it’s undeveloped. There are lots of rocks and the only water source is the Colorado River. The chances of seeing wildlife (coyotes, birds, elk) increase the closer you get to the river. A wilderness adventure in a magical desert setting!

• Time: 10 hours and more
• Miles: 10.5 km (descent to canyon bottom only)

This is easily one of the best hikes in the Grand Canyon. The start of the hike is a little dizzying, but once you’re over it you can reach a very nice and welcoming ranch further down at the bottom of the canyon. You can also go back up the Bright Angel Trail for a change of scenery!

That’s it, I’ve covered the best hikes in the Grand Canyon, making sure to give you different levels, durations and distances depending on what you prefer. There are many more such as: Rim Trail, West Rim Trail, Hermist Rest, Tonto Trail, Grand View Trail and North Kaibab Trail.

To get to the Grand Canyon from France, you can fly from Paris to Las Vegas. You can then hire a car to take you to the Grand Canyon. Depending on the season, prices range from €700 to €1,200. Use Skyscanner Flight Finder to search for cheap flights.

From Quebec, you can find flights from Montreal to Las Vegas. Prices are generally between €300 and €400.

You’ll probably need to rent a car or camper once you get there. This way you will be independent and have time on your hands. We often recommend that you compare prices on the Discover cars website (for cars) and the Motorhome Republic website (for campervans and motorhomes).

When you arrive at the US national park, you must park in the car parks immediately after the visitor centre. Cars are prohibited from entering the park to reduce traffic. But don’t worry, there are 4 free shuttle buses that run every 10 minutes or so. And if you’re feeling brave, try walking to some of the best vantage points!

It costs $35 per vehicle (including 4 people) to enter the Grand Canyon. A little tip: you can also buy the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 (for the year), which includes entry to all of America’s national parks (including the Grand Canyon, of course). Comes in handy when you’re travelling around the USA!

Spring: The climate is temperate and temperatures are very pleasant (between 12°C and 28°C). There’s very little rain and the days are sunny. What’s more, there are very few tourists at this time of year. Spring is definitely the best time to enjoy the Grand Canyon, hike in peace and take advantage of the best lodging deals.

In the summer, temperatures are very high (from 28°C to 40°C at the bottom of the canyon). It’s also the busiest time of year in the national park. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon at this time of year and would advise you to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It gets very hot and there are few, if any, shady spots. As I write this, I’m almost wondering why I chose this time of year to visit the Grand Canyon (come on, let’s just say I was young!).

Autumn brings springlike temperatures (between 15°C and 25°C). Autumn is also a great time to visit and hike the Grand Canyon. However, from November you can expect cooler temperatures and even snow!

Winter is a great time to experience the Grand Canyon in a different way! It’s magical and even enchanting. Look at the rocks and snow-capped peaks as far as the eye can see! Just be aware that some hikes are not accessible due to snow, especially on the North Rim where temperatures are cooler (between -1°C and 6°C)!

If you want to make the most of your stay in the national park, I recommend choosing accommodation nearby – in Tusayan or in Grand Canyon Village. You’ll be right next to the park – perfect for hitting the trails early in the morning or late in the afternoon and, above all, for watching sunrises and sunsets. The only drawback is that Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan get very busy in high season.

If you’re after a solid mid‑range (3‑star) hotel with good comfort and quality services, try the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel. I spent two nights there and can confirm that its indoor spa felt amazing after a full day scrambling around the canyon.

Prefer something more upmarket? The Holiday Inn Resort The Squire and The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon both offer top‑quality amenities for a truly luxurious stay.

Of course, if you’d rather have a more immersive experience and spend the night inside Grand Canyon National Park, that’s possible! On the South Rim you can choose the Mather Campground or the Trailer Village RV Park. Both are open all year and well equipped. I spent two nights at the former and loved it – I even spotted an elk grazing calmly near my tent, which was pretty impressive! Strict food‑storage rules are in place so wildlife isn’t attracted to the campground.

On the North Rim you can camp at De‑Motte Campground, which is very well laid out. The only downside: it’s open only from mid‑May to mid‑October.

A quick note for the more adventurous: multiday hikers will find small, designated campsites along the trails.

Since then we’ve put together a full guide to help you decide where to stay in the Grand Canyon.

To explore the Grand Canyon and its surroundings, you can take a guided 4×4 tour. This is a picturesque experience and you can watch the cliffs change colour as the sun goes down. This type of excursion costs around €130 per person and lasts two and a half hours.

If you want to live the American dream and see the Grand Canyon from the air, you can fly over it in a helicopter. Agencies generally offer a 45-minute flight over the South Rim (Zuni Corridor, Imperial Point) and the Colorado River for between €120 and €300 per person. A word of advice: remember to check availability and book well in advance!

If you’re looking for other things to do in or around the park, check out the Get Your Guide website, which has a great list of things to do!

The Skywalk is a huge attraction on the west side of the Grand Canyon (the part run by the Indians, who are increasingly developing tourism there). It’s simply a high glass bridge over the cliffs. It’s very impressive (as is the view, aha)! A little tip: there is also a small Indian village a little further down the cliffs, which is well worth a visit.

This is a small museum with a great view of the Grand Canyon. You can learn more about the history of the Grand Canyon and the park in general from the friendly rangers who are always ready to answer your informative questions, so don’t hesitate!

We now leave the Grand Canyon and head for Antelope Canyon. This is another of the wonders of Arizona. The shapes and colours of the rocks are both surprising and sublime! During your visit you can squeeze between the walls and enjoy this natural spectacle.

You may have heard of this rock, but let me assure you it’s much more than a rock, it’s a breathtaking landscape! Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe shaped rock (as the name suggests) surrounded by the Colorado River. The most impressive thing about it is the contrast between the ochre rocks and the green/blue reflections of the river.

As you can see from these lines, I loved my time at the Grand Canyon and can only encourage you to go! I hope I’ve inspired you not only to go, but also to explore the floor of the Grand Canyon, its best overlooks and its surroundings.

For your trip to the United States, and if you’re particularly keen to discover the American National Parks, I recommend you read the articles on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, which Sylvain and Mélanie say are well worth a visit!

If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, don’t hesitate to share your experience in the comments, I’m sure it will help other readers!

Written by Laura CALLES

I had the chance to visit the USA twice. I simply adored the country, especially the American west! I have lots of lovely memories and wonderful discoveries!

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