Grand Canyon National
Park, administered by the U.S. National
Park Service, is located in north-central Arizona (map), due east of Las
Vegas. The primary feature of the park is the 5,000-foot-deep canyon,
cut by the Colorado River, and the scenic vistas across the canyon.
There are two sides to every canyon: the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
is about 5.5 hours southeast of Las Vegas (via Kingman, Arizona), while
the North Rim is about 6.5 hours northeast of Las Vegas (via St.
George, Utah).
Activities at the Grand
Canyon primarily are orientated around
sightseeing and day-hiking along the rims, although there is also
backpacking into the canyon, picnicking, mule riding, biking, car
camping, and lodging.
The two rims are located
high on the Colorado Plateau. The
elevation of the South Rim at Mather Point is 7,120 feet, while the
elevation of the North Rim at Bright Angle Point is 8,250 feet. These
two points are separated by about 10 air-miles and the Colorado River,
which lies some 4,600 and 5,700 feet below the two rims, respectively
(2,550 feet elevation at Phantom Ranch). The river is in the
low-elevation desert zone, the South Rim is in the mid-elevation
pinyon-juniper, yellow-pine forest zone, and the North Rim is in the
higher-elevation yellow-pine, fir, spruce forest zone. The great range
of elevations makes for a mix of habitats, providing for considerable
floral and faunal diversity.
The South Rim is
relatively high (about 7,000 ft), so
temperatures are cool compared to Las Vegas, and daytime summer
temperatures range in the 50s to 80s, while winter temperatures range
in the 20s to 50s. The North Rim is even higher (about 8,000 ft), and
summer temperatures there are about 10 degrees cooler than on the South
Rim. The North Rim is closed by snow during winter (about mid-October
through mid-May). The bottom of the canyon (about 2,500 ft) is hot like
Las Vegas, with summer temperatures exceeding 110 degrees. Because of
the high temperatures in the inner canyon, hiking generally is best
during the fall, winter, and spring (e.g., October to May). During July
and August, afternoon thunderstorms are common, creating flash floods
and lightning hazards.
Because of the summer
crowds on the South Rim, the Park
Service established a shuttle bus system. The park entrance fees cover
the shuttle bus, so after you get in the park, the bus is free. The
Hermits Rest Road in the western-most portion of the South Rim is
closed to private vehicles (with some exceptions) when the shuttle bus
is running, but all of the other park roads are open to private
vehicles. Buses run throughout the South Rim Village area, so people
can park in the village or the campground and ride the bus throughout
the area. Details on the shuttle bus system are provided below.
On the South Rim, there
are a variety of concessions inside
the park. Grand Canyon Village is a regular city with all of the usual
urban services (e.g., grocery store, restaurants, lodging, post office,
and bank) except gasoline. Most concessions are open during regular
business hours or longer. Outside the park, the town of Tusayan
provides gasoline and just about everything else.
On the North Rim,
services inside the park are limited. This
is rural country, so bring what you need. There is a small market, a
lodge with a restaurant, a coin laundry, and showers, but no gasoline.
Most concessions are open during regular business hours or longer.
Outside the park, the town of Jacobs Lake provides limited services
(e.g., gasoline, lodge, campground), and a lodge just outside the park
provides some basic services and gasoline.
Hiking in the Grand
Canyon carries a challenge that Nevada
hikers rarely face: hiking permits that can be hard to get. Because the
area is so popular, backcountry use is highly regulated. Permits are
required for all overnight travel, and most permit reservations are
booked solid 4 months ahead of time, but some walk-up permits may be
available. Permits are not required for the day-hikes. More information
on hiking permits is provided below.
If you don't want to
hassle permits, or of you fly into the
area or otherwise don't arrive with hiking or backpacking gear,
consider contacting Four
Seasons Outfitters and Guides out of Flagstaff, Arizona. They
provide rental gear, guided hikes, and other hiker services. Their
prices are reasonable and the guides are first rate (experienced,
knowledgeable, strong as mules, they do everything, and they are good
company in camp).
For More Information on Getting to Grand Canyon National Park, Hours of Operation, the Shuttle Bus System, Entrance Fees, Car Camping, Hiking Permits, Precautions, Rules and Regulations, and Links to More Information, visit the Grand Canyon National Park Overview Page. |
