“There will never be a photograph of the Grand Canyon that can adequately describe its depth, breadth, and true beauty.“
Stefanie Payne
This was the first stop on our 2020 Road Trip. We thought this would be tough to top. I have been here a couple of times, but I wanted to share the same experience of awe all over again with my sister.
Top Things To Do In Grand Canyon National Park
1. Hike
One of the top things to do here is something I’ve never done. There are tons of trails to take on day hikes or even longer hikes if you want to do a couple of nights down in the canyon. I love to hike, but it seems like every time I come to the Grand Canyon, I’m never here long enough. I do have some hikes I want to do so, I will be back.
2. White Water Rafting
This is also something at the TOP of my bucket list that I haven’t been fortunate enough to experience. I’ve looked into multiday rafting/camping tours. If anyone has done this, let me know in the comments below!
3. Helicopter Tour
The first time I came to the Grand Canyon was when I was 15. My Grandparents did a cool thing, where when we turned 15, we could choose anywhere we wanted to go in the United States, and they would take us there on a bit of getaway. On that trip, as we were driving in, I said, “Wow, that would be amazing,” to which he responded, “that’s way too expensive.” On the last day of our trip, he surprised me by driving me to the airport, where we would do the helicopter tour. While helicopters are not allowed down in the canyon, they can fly above. The views were stunning, and I cannot recommend this experience enough.
4. Take in the Views
Lastly, my favorite on the list is to simply take in the views. If you want a fantastic view right off the road, Mather Point Lookout is the place to be. On our recent road trip, we got here just before sunset and enjoyed dinner while watching the sun light up the canyon.
Where To Stay Near Grand Canyon National Park
I’ve stayed at various locations when I’ve been here, and I can’t recommend one over the other. Both have their perks, and ultimately it’s up to what type of adventure you want.
Camping
The cheaper and my preferred method is camping. On our recent road trip, we elected to stay in the Ten-X campground, right outside the park entrance in a ponderosa pine forest. The campsites were spaced out, and you didn’t feel crowded. It was a nice place to stay for a night and got the job we needed to be done. We were the last ones in and the first ones out. Campers here seemed respectful, and there wasn’t anyone yelling or listening to music which can be common in some campgrounds. There are restrooms available but no showers.
Hotel / Motel
If you opt to stay in a hotel, there are many options right inside the park. When I came with my grandpa, we stayed in the lodge right on the edge of the canyon. The hotel was nice because you essentially had the whole canyon to yourself after the sun went down. The occasional person would walk down the path, but you could just sit in peace and listen to the wind blow through the canyon below you.
Things To Remember In Grand Canyon National Park
1. Hydration
- If traveling in the summer, for one, you are crazy; two, make sure you pack lots of water!
2. Follow the signs
- If the signs tell you to stay on the trail, you should stay on the path. Make sure that future generations will be able to experience incredible sights as well.
- If a sign says, “don’t feed the animals,” then don’t. Feeding wild animals harms their overall health. It also makes animals more likely to come up to cars, which leads to more animals getting killed by cars.
3. Leave your four-legged friends at home
- While dogs are allowed in the campground, dogs are not permitted on the trails. If a ranger sees you trying to take your dog on a trail, they will turn you around.
4. Leave No Trace
- As the saying goes, “Leave only Footsteps.” Don’t spoil the landscape with your trash. It wasn’t there when you got there, so pack it out with you. Leave no trace also means that you should leave the environment as it is. It is illegal to remove anything from the park, including plants, artifacts, and even rocks. Grand Canyon National Park is a place of natural beauty, so make sure you leave it cleaner than you found it.
5. Be sure to wear clothing and footwear suitable for your adventure.
- Make sure your shoes still have traction, as the sand and stone combination can be rather slippery.
- Dress in layers. The summer heat is scortching. Plan accordingly and check the local weather.
6. Backcountry Camping
- If you are doing any overnight camping in the canyon, you must have a backcountry permit.
7. Check out the local food!
- Be sure to try out some of the local-inspired food. I went for the Navajo tacos, and to this day, it is still one of the best things I have ever eaten.
Other Cool Things That Didn’t Quite Make the List
Donkeys – When some people think Grand Canyon, this is the first thing that comes to mind. I have never desired to ride a donkey down into the canyon, but this may be the only way for some people to get down.
Art – The rim trail is loaded with all sorts of excellent art galleries to explore. Most of the art is desert / Grand Canyon-inspired.
Skywalk – I’ve always tried to find this, but I guess I’ve never looked that hard. Here you can walk out over the edge on a transparent platform and see aaaaaaaaaaaall the way down to the bottom!
Check Out My Socials
TL;DR
Top things to do: Hike, White Water Raft, Helicopter Tour, and soak up the views and sun.
Get More Info
Get more info from the source at https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Check out my other nearby blog reviews of Utah!
