Grand Canyon National Park
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Introduction
Grand Canyon National Park might be considered the premier National Park in America. I would contend it's Yellowstone, but I didn't name Grand Canyon as one of the Seven Wonders Of The World. But do notice it's not in my list of favorite National Parks.I think Grand Canyon suffers from two and a half main problems. Like many of the National Parks, the biggest problem is the crowds. It is, they say, a victim of its own success. The crowds routinely overflow the parking lots at the major view points, and even if they had a decent shuttle system, it would be impractical for many driving through the park.
You can mitigate this somewhat by when you visit. For instance, the crowds are insane at sunset, but almost non-existent at sunrise. The last time we arrived there, we just bypassed the last few viewpoints before the Village because of the crowds (about 4PM local time), but when leaving the next morning, those same overcrowded viewpoints were deserted. Of course, the canyon looks quite different at sunrise than at sunset...
Also suffering are facilities like food service, which is both overwhelmed and underwhelming at the same time. We weren't hungry when we passed through Cameron, but we spent a couple hours at the Little Colorado River Gorge and by the time we entered the park, we decided to eat. The only place available for miles was at Desert View. Not only did the lines go out the door, but the food was abysmal, both in selection and taste. We had dinner at the Arizona Room on the rim in the Village, and couldn't give it any rating above just okay.
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| Full map of Grand Canyon National Park, from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Click on the map for a larger view. |
If you were able to get to the West side of the park , thus you're only exposed to a fraction of the Colorado River and the canyon it carved here. (This is mostly because the NPS doesn't own the land South of the Colorado River.)
Now that I've said that, I'm sure my experience there would be completely different if I hiked into the canyon (like having that heart attack trying to climb back out), or if I invested the time and rode a raft down the Colorado. But I haven't, and have learned my lesson as a sea-level flatlander that heavy exertion at a mile above sea level isn't my thing. It's a nice place to visit, but I do like my oxygen...
While there are other places higher on my list to visit than Grand Canyon, everyone should probably see it. It is, after all The Grand Canyon. If you're a casual tourist and plan no serious hiking down into the canyon, then I'd suggest one night in the park, if you can get a room. Coming from where ever you're coming from, a full afternoon (and sunset) on day one and a full second day will probably cover the South Rim, including the museums and other side attractions in the park.
This does not include a visit to the other rim of the canyon. (See the North Rim below.)
Grand Canyon - South Rim
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| Perspective map from the East Entrance to Grand Canyon Village. Click on the map for a larger view. |
Grand Canyon Village
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| Grand Canyon Village map. Click on the map for a larger view. |
It is also the meeting of the Desert View Drive and the South Entrance road, which leads to Tusayan, the overflow town should you not be able to get a room in the Village.
It's a good place for sunset photos if you're staying locally. Just turn off the flash on your camera...
Maswik Lodge
A word about the rooms at Maswik Lodge. (Well, as of 2008, things may have changed, check someplace like Trip Advisor.)
There are two types of rooms. Newer rooms with air conditioning, and older rooms without. (I only mention the air conditioning, since that seems to differentiate the old rooms from the new.)
If you check the ratings for the hotel on any travel site, some reviews will be glowing, some will be... less favorable. The glowing reviews are the new rooms. Get one of the new rooms.
North Rim
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| Grand Canyon - North Rim map. Click on the map for a larger view. |
Should you drive there, a visit to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area might be in order. You could easily spend a day or two there, should you want to visit Rainbow Bridge NM and the Glen Canyon Dam.
On the way to Glen Canyon is Page, Arizona, the only city between the North Rim and South Rim large enough to have a Wal-Mart and other major businesses should you need one.
At the very least, a stop at Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry is a must.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you should see the Grand Canyon. Probably a minimum of one night, so you can catch the sunset (and sunrise, if you're that kinda person).
But if you're planning a roadtrip in the area, keep in mind that less than a half day's drive from the South Rim is Monument Valley, a must see on the list of things you should really see. Couple that with a stay at Goulding's Lodge.
If you're going to the North Rim (by car, lol), Glen Canyon/Page, Arizona is a nice stopping place, and is a short detour from the trip between the Rims.
Close to the North Rim (relatively speaking) is Zion, and a couple hours beyond that is, with Cedar Breaks and Bryce Canyon. It wouldn't be hard to spend a week just visiting the general area...
Related Links:
| Colorado River | |
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The Colorado River starts as a small stream in Rocky Mountain National Park, and gathers hundreds of other streams and rivers along the way to become the lifeline of the Southwest, providing water, electricity and recreation to millions in the five states the river flows through or touches. I've actually followed the river in one form or another, from Rocky Mountain National Park to Grand Canyon. I've also done more river miles on the Colorado than any other river... |
| Colorado, Utah and Arizona / 55 Images. Visited Sep 2005, Sep 2008. | |
| Glen Canyon National Recreation Area | |
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The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses and products the Colorado River (and many of its tributaries) from Canyonlands to Grand Canyon National Park. It is mostly a creation of the Glen Canyon Dam, which creates a reservoir behind it (Lake Powell) a hundred miles long. Included on this page is the Navajo Bridge and the Lees Ferry Unit of the park, river level access a dozen miles below the dam. |
| Arizona, Utah / 47 Images. Visited Sep 1997, Sep 2008. | |
| Little Colorado River Gorge, Navajo Tribal Park | |
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If you're heading to Grand Canyon from US-89, the Little Colorado River Gorge is a side-stop along the way. You can step up right next to the gorge, and if the sheer cliff face doesn't bother you... Then you're a better man than I. This area is a Navajo Tribal Park, and is part of the Navajo Indian Reservation. An entrance fee is required. |
| Near Cameron, Arizona / 16 Images. Visited Sep 1997, Sep 2008. | |
Grand Canyon Trip Report: Sep 1997, Sep 2008.
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