Guide to the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona – Part 4

Guide to the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Perhaps the most well known and certainly the most photographed national park in the United States, is the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it.

We had been driving, what to a young girl, seemed like forever. The only thing in sight, was the desert. It was dry and acrid but starkly, beautiful. And then we were there.

My first real understanding of just how small we really are,and how vast the world is, was that first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. I had never, and still haven’t, seen anything like it. It, quite literally, took my breath away. I was standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It, like most of the area, is a wide, flat rock that juts slightly out over the canyon wall. When you look down, it’s WAAAYYY down. And there, in the distance, is the Colorado River. With, virtually, no barriers in place to keep the observers from falling, your knees get weak and you almost have the urge to fly.

The Colorado River is given the credit, by most scholars, as the reason for the existence of the Grand Canyon. While it is also huge, the chasm it created, is far more impressive.

There are many ways to view the Grand Canyon.

1. By foot: There are many trails all around the Canyon. You can hike some yourself and there are also daily tours for the inexperienced hiker. The tour guides have vast amounts of knowledge and will keep you entertained, and informed, through out your walk. Keep in mind that going all the way to the bottom of the canyon takes 5 hours and you will need to plan to spend the night.

2. By mule: Yes, a mule. You can ride along the rims on a, tour led, mule. These trips are fun and also quite informative. Beware though, just like with horseback riding, your thighs will be sore in the morning!

3. Helicopter: This tour is probably the most visually impressive and certainly covers the most ground. However, it is also quite expensive, so be prepared.

4. Jeep: You can also rent a jeep for the day (or two) and ride down into the Canyon and all along the rim. This is also quite expensive.

5. Rafting: Once you have traversed the canyon walls, you may want to rent a tour led rafting expedition, as well. I have never done this, but all signs point to wonderful fun! This is, of course, for the adventurous only.

6. Rim tours: There are two rims on the Grand Canyon. The north and south rims. Both offer stunning views