Grand Canyon

 

Located in Northwestern Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Nature created this incredible wonder and a visit to the Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable experiences a traveler ever can hope to have.

Also considered one of the most popular national parks in the United States, no other destination has as many viewing options as the Grand Canyon National Park. Words or even pictures cannot fully describe or capture the beauty of this geographical wonder.

 

The Grand Canyon National Park which is located in Arizona is approximately 300 miles from Las Vegas. The 5 hour long drive is on mostly a two lane road. You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, but that's stretching it.

 

Overnight excursions are available. Tours can take as little as two hours by non-stop helicopter or as long as 14 hours by bus. Depending on traffic, driving time may take up to seven hours.

 

When visiting the Grand Canyon, visitors have three distinct areas to choose from. 1) The historic South Rim 2) The more remote North Rim 3) The West Rim, which is home to the Skywalk. Each rim feature numerous side canyons that's abundant with greenery, wildlife, waterfalls, and raging rapids.

 

Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is more remote but the views are its major attraction, along with fewer crowds. The North Rim however is high enough in elevation to be closed during the winter months by snow. Usually accessible from mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim offers visitors a campground, general store and camper facilities. It's also home to the Grand Canyon Lodge

Things to do at the Grand Canyon North Rim

 

If your time is limited and all you want to do is see a portion of the Canyon, then walk down Bright Angel Trail. This is an easy half mile round trip walk from the Grand Canyon Lodge.

 

If you plan to hike, a park ranger will be glad to help you choose from the many hiking trails. No Permits are necessary for day hiking

 

If you are driving, take a scenic drive to Cape Royal. On your way, stop for a picnic at Point Imperial. This is the highest vantage point in the park, then continue to Vista Encantadora, Roosevelt Point and Walhalla Overlook. Once you get to the end of the road, there is a 0.6 mile walk on a paved path to Cape Royal. Here you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. Click here for the North Rim trail map.

 

Grand Canyon South Rim

Considered the real canyon, the South Rim is the most scenic and most developed. Most people that visit the Grand Canyon, end up at the South Rim.

 

Also home to the Grand Canyon Village, the South Rim features the park's largest collection of services, such as bus service, hotels and lodges, restaurants, a general store, laundry and shower facilities, a bank with an ATM and an automotive service station.

Click here for the South Rim Village map

 

Things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim

 

Visit the South Rim's Visitor Center and it's bookstore

 

Bright Angel Point is the most panoramic part of the Grand Canyon. Browse nearby shops and museums at Bright Angel Lodge, the Indian art museum and gift shop Hopi House, and all the activities at the Grand Canyon Historic Village district area.

 

Visit the South Rim's Visitor Center and it's bookstore. You might even opt for a walk to Yavapai Point, the widest part of the Grand Canyon.

Check the Grand Canyon weather.

 

Temperatures at the Grand Canyon South Rim

 

	January	February	March	April	May	June
High	41°F / 5°C	45°F / 7°C	51°F /10°C	60°F /15°C	70°F / 21°C	81°F / 27°C
Low	18°F / -8°C	21°F / -6°C	25°F /-4°C	32°F / 0°C	39°F / 4°C	47°F / 8°C

 

 

	July	August	September	October	November	December
High	84°F / 29°C	82°F / 28°C	76°F / 24°C	65°F / 18°C	52°F / 11°C	43°F / 6°C
Low	54°F / 12°C	53°F / 12°C	47°F / 8°C	36°F / 2°C	27°F / -3°C	20°F / -7°C

Note: Inner canyon temps average 20° warmer

 

Other popular ways to see the Grand Canyon

 

The Canyon's striking beauty is both peaceful and humbling, and also offers abundant camping, hiking, rafting, touring and photography experiences for visitors. Below are other ways to see the Grand Canyon.

 

Hiking by Mule
Hiking the Canyon by mule is another popular option that's available at the South and North Rim. Day trips and overnights are available, but you must be at least 4ft 7inches tall, weigh less than 200lbs, speak fluent English and be in good physical shape.

 

White water rafting
Another more thrilling way to see the Grand Canyon up-close is by White water rafting down the Colorado River which cuts through the Canyon

 

Aircraft Tours

One exciting way to view the Grand Canyon in at day time is by helicopter

Jeep Tours

 

Do you know you can rent a bicycle at the South Rim Visitors Center

 

Grand Canyon West Rim

 

The area referred to the Grand Canyon West Rim is a site at the far western end of Grand Canyon chosen by the Hualapai tribe (pronounced, WALL-uh-pie), meaning "People of the Tall Pines". Food service at the West Rim is limited, and offered usually as part of a package tour.

 

The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West Rim
The Skywalk at the West Rim is managed by the Hualapai Tribe and located on tribal lands. The Skywalk consists of a horseshoe-shaped steel frame with glass floor and sides that projects about 70 feet (21 m) from the canyon rim. (See picture on the right column)

 

Fees at the Grand Canyon West Rim
The Hualapai Tribe collects fees to enter any part of the reservation as certain parts of the reservation are restricted to the general public. All fees are subject to change at any time.

 

Getting to the Grand Canyon

 

Your driving distance and time depends on what rim you are planning to visit.

 

Directions from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim

There is a 4.5-hour drive from Las Vegas to the popular Grand Canyon South Rim. To get there from the Vegas strip, drive east on Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue to U.S. 515 South, which automatically turns into US Highway 93 South. Take Highway 93 south to I-40. Take I-40 east to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.

Note: The distance from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim 275 miles / 443 km. Drive time is approximately 4 hrs 30 mins

 

Directions from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim

The distance from Las Vegas strip to Grand Canyon West Rim is 120 miles or 3 hours driving time. To get there from the Vegas strip, drive east on Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue to U.S. 515 South, which automatically turns into US Highway 93 South.
Go southeast on US 93 heading to Kingman, Arizona. Take the Dolan Springs exit on to Pearce Ferry Road (26 miles) and turn at green Grand Canyon West exit sign (21 miles) on an unpaved road for the first 14 miles to the Hualapai reservation.

 

Tip: Always remember to check the weather.

 

 

Driving distances from Las Vegas

From	To	Drive Time	Miles	KM
Las Vegas	Grand Canyon South Rim	4.5 hours	275	443
Las Vegas	Grand Canyon West Rim	3 hours	120	193
Las Vegas	Death Valley National Park	2.25 hours	141	227
Las Vegas	Hoover Dam	45 mins.	34	54.4
Las Vegas	Great Basin National Park	4.75 hours	297	478
Las Vegas	Zion National Park	2.5 hours	155	249
Las Vegas	Reno, NV	7.25 hours	448	721
Las Vegas	Laughlin	1.5 hours	97	156
Las Vegas	Los Angeles, CA	4 hours	270	435
Las Vegas	San Diego, CA	5 hours	332	534
Las Vegas	Phoenix, AZ	5 hours	295	475

Flight times from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

From	To	Via	Time
Las Vegas	Grand Canyon West Rim	Plane	20 minutes
Las Vegas	Grand Canyon West Rim	Helicopter	45 minutes
Las Vegas	Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)	Plane	45 minutes

Hoover Dam	Red Rock Canyon
Getting Around	Car Rental
Day Trips from Vegas	Things to do
Las Vegas Shows	Free Stuff