Motor Home Enthusiasts Enjoy the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an American landmark that everyone has to see at least once in their lives. It is one of the most popular motor home destinations in the United States.

You can see a picture of the canyon and get an idea of how beautiful it is, but it is nothing like actually sitting on the canyon’s edge and looking down.

The Grand Canyon is inspirational. When you look into its depths, the walls of rock chiseled over thousands of years lead you to contemplate how vast nature is. It is truly awe-inspiring.

You can watch the shadows creep along the buttes as the sun moves across the sky. It is a natural light show with changing colors.

The Grand Canyon has a south rim and a north rim. These two areas of the park are very different.

The south rim has more to do. There are lots of overlooks, hiking trails, museums, information centers, and lodging.

The north rim is somewhat more desolate, cooler and at a greater elevation.

Because the south rim is so popular, it is often crowded. During the summer months, you’ll see tourists climbing over each other to get a look at the breathtaking view. If you want to avoid crowds, it’s best to go during the off-season, in the winter or fall. Many prefer the north rim, where there are fewer people and you can enjoy the peace and quiet.

The most popular activity on this kind of trip is backcountry hiking. While you’re hiking, you will see rock formations and views few have seen before. Hikes range from day trips to overnight backpacking adventures. Hiking here is very strenuous so be prepared.

It can also be dangerous. There are temperature extremes similar to the desert: very hot during the daytime and very cold at night. This is desert hiking at its most extreme; bring plenty of water and food. You also have to know when to take a rest. Before setting off on a backcountry hike, make sure that you are fully prepared, and it can be a wonderful adventure.

Getting a spot at one of the popular campsites during the summer tourist season can be a challenge. Wherever you plan to stay, you should make reservations in advance if possible. If space is important, you might try sites a little ways away from the bustle.

North Rim Campground

At the North Rim Campground, you can be right on the north rim, just minutes away from some wonderful hiking. The North Rim Campground has no hookups and very limited services. However, this site is as close as you’re going to get.

The North Rim Campground fills up quickly because of its prime location, so it’s a good idea to book your stay well in advance. They take reservations as early as five months ahead.

Demotte Campground

For a little more luxury, try the Demotte Campground, about 15 miles from the north rim. They allow small RVs, but there are no hookups. There is a convenience store, restaurant and flushing toilets. You can also be close to hiking trails and horseback riding activities.

The Demotte Campground doesn’t take reservations, and it fills up fast. It can be a gamble. But, it’s well worth it because the high elevation of the campground ensures that you’ll have nice cool sleeping weather.

Desert View Campground

Desert View is located on the south rim, and named after one of the south rim’s most famous lookout points. It’s 25 miles from the canyon, and operates from May until October. There are no hookups for your motor home, but the low nightly charge and proximity to the canyon make it well worth it. They don’t take reservations.

The Grand Canyon KOA

If you want to spoil yourself a little, why not try the Grand Canyon KOA? It’s actually a ways away, just north of Williams, Arizona. But it is a comfortable and not that far away, and features fun amenities like barbecues and an indoor pool.

The Grand Canyon is truly one of the wonders of the world, and it makes for a great motor home holiday.

Top five tourist attractions in the USA – Part 8

NATIONAL, NATURAL TREASURES: THE TOP FIVE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Looking for the top five tourist attractions in the United States? You needn’t look much further than the National Park Service (NPS). Four of these five are maintained by the NPS, and the fifth is a legendary natural wonder. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, or unspoiled nature, this list has something for you.

1. The National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC

Home to some of the oldest protected parkland in America, the National Mall and Memorial Parks contain a number of America’s most emblematic landmarks. Stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument (and enclosed by a host of fabulous, free museums), the National Mall is the perfect place to stroll while reflecting on the nation’s history. Other notable monuments include the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorials. Plan on several days for this mega-attraction.

2. The Grand Canyon, Arizona

This one-mile-deep natural wonder will take your breath away at any time, but aim for a sunrise or sunset viewing. If your time is limited, you’ll probably view the canyon from one of the overlooks along the South Rim (the 1000-foot higher North Rim closes from October to May every year). If you’re adventurous and you have the time, you can backpack, ride a mule, or take a river trip through the inner canyon.

3. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA

Surrounding the San Francisco Bay and including such wonders as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the world’s largest urban national parks. In addition to the world-famous bridge and Al Capone’s former digs, the GGNRA includes miles of unspoiled beaches and hiking trails, military forts from the days of the Spanish conquistadors, a Nike Missile Site, and hundreds of acres of coastal wetlands on a formerly abandoned airfield. You could spend several unforgettable days viewing the many attractions within this attraction.

4. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, New York Harbor

A trip to the United States wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this icon of freedom and democracy. A token of friendship from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty sits on a 12-acre island in the harbor. Security is tight these days, but with advance planning you can visit certain areas of the monument. The Ellis Island immigration museum, part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, is a fascinating piece of U.S. history, especially for those descended from one of the millions of immigrants who began their new lives here.

5. Niagara Falls, New York

One of the true wonders of nature, the falls are perfect for either a romantic getaway or a family trip. Formerly a strategic military post, the falls have evolved into a year-round tourist attraction. In addition to viewing the splendor of the falls from your hotel, boat or helicopter, you can choose from a plethora of activities, including visits to an IMAX movie theater, an aviary, or a butterfly conservatory.

Family Vacation Ideas – Family Fun at the Grand Canyon

Are you looking for some family vacation ideas? Consider a trip to the Grand Canyon for your next family vacation. There are no words that fully describe it and pictures cannot capture the incredible beauty of this 277-mile long, one-mile deep wonder. The Grand Canyon is located approximately two and a half hours north of Phoenix, in Northern Arizona. July is the warmest month for the Grand Canyon, but because of the higher elevation, the average highs are only 84 degrees, while the lows dip down to around 50. Compare this to Phoenix where the average high this time of year is 104 degrees.

There is lodging at the Grand Canyon, but space is limited and generally more expensive than nearby hotels. Williams, Arizona is about 30 miles south of the Grand Canyon, and is a great little town to stay in while exploring the area. It offers a wide range of accommodations and restaurants, beautiful Ponderosa pine trees, clear, crisp air, and a variety of outdoor activities.

The Grand Canyon Railway leaves from Williams and offers several classes of vintage train service to the Grand Canyon. This is a great way to get from Williams to the Grand Canyon, and journeying to the canyon by rail offers a fun and unique travel experience for your family. Along the way, enjoy 65 miles of Grand Canyon Country views and Old West entertainment.

The most popular tour of the Grand Canyon is by car and bus around the South Rim. It is open year-round and features easily accessible trails and overlooks. It also has shops, hotels, and several restaurants. In addition to viewing the stunning scenery, visitors can hike, camp, take mule rides, or go on a rafting trip. For those hiking to the canyon floor, be aware that temperatures in July and August can be substantially higher than those at the rim.

Whether you visit the South Rim, West Rim, North Rim, or some other part of the canyon, it will truly be a memorable trip for your entire family. Even if you have seen hundreds of photos in the past, there is no way to really appreciate the beauty of this area until you actually visit it. The Grand Canyon is truly magnificent. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Are you looking for more family vacation ideas?

Get more vacation ideas here: Family Vacation Ideas

Traveling The Usa The Grand Canyon

When you visit the Grand Canyon, you will find that it is much larger than you have ever imagines. It is 18 miles wide and 277 miles long and the depth of the canyon in some points is more than a mile from the rim of the canyon to the river below. The Grand Canyon National Park includes much of the canyon. The Grand Canyon is separated into three areas: The inner Canyon, the South Rim, and the North Rim. When planning and researching your adventure, you will want to include the following tips.2. Planning Yourself or a Travel Agent? How long do you have before you are making your trip? If you do not have much time, then you may want to enlist the help of a travel agent. Whichever way that you choose to plan your trip, get ready for an adventure in the Grand Canyon.4. Care of pets. Taking pets with you on vacation is the choice of many people, but if this is you, then you need to ensure that where you are staying allow pets. You will also want to make sure that the attractions that you are visiting are pet friendly as well, because you do not want to have to keep your pet shut up in a room while you are out sightseeing. If you choose to leave your pet at home, then a kennel or pet sitting service is a good choice to help baby-sit your pet.6. Packing. You want to choose appropriate clothing when packing, including pants, gloves, jacket, hat, bandanna, sweatshirt, and more. Depending upon the time of year that you visit, you will need the right seasonal clothing.8. Other items. Other items that you may need on your adventure to the Grand Canyon include maps, earplugs, a compass, fire starter, blanket, antibacterial soap, toilet paper, wet wipes, paper/pencil, and more.10. Toiletries. Taking your toiletries with you can save you money while traveling. You will want to include a mirror, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, laundry bag, sleepwear, and more.

It is a good idea to not carry all of your credit cards or cash in your purse or wallet at the same time. This can cause you to spend more than you planned or your cards or cash could get stolen. A vacation can be ended instantly when this happens. That is why you want to be prepared, so that you will have a great vacation at the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon National Park In Arizona – A Great Vacation And Travel Destination

You must plan a vacation to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. It is just simply amazing and the maze of canyons, fissures, and gorges intertwine and merge to create one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders. You can actually see the different colors of the rock in the many layers that make up the canyon not to mention the way the sun reflects on them, and then the shadow, affects their color, which is awe inspiring in and of itself. The beauty of the Canyon is one thing, the size is another and it is just as amazing if not more so.

The canyon is huge and that may even be an understatement. The canyon measures between 10 and 15 miles wide and is more than 200 miles long. At some parts of the canyon it measures nearly a mile to the bottom. Can you imagine looking over the edge of the canyon and the ground being a mile below? It truly is one of the must see places in the world, let alone the United States. The Grand Canyon National Park includes the Grand Canyon and other sites and is located north of Flagstaff, Arizona, by about 75 miles. It will take about an hour and a half to get to the north rim’s visitor center from Flagstaff, or if you are in Las Vegas plan on a five hour drive. The south rim’s visitor center requires a 200 mile drive although it is only 10 miles away if you could fly your car over!

The south rim is the best place to visit if you are only visiting one of the rims. That is because the views are outstanding and it has more facilities than the north rim center. More tourists visit the south rim because the north rim is closed from October to May. If you are a backpacker or don’t like crowds then you might prefer the north rim. The Grand Canyon Village is a great place to stay when visiting because there are hotels, souvenir shops, and restaurants near the south rim.

The best thing to do when visiting the Grand Canyon is to allow yourself plenty of time. There is a lot to see and although it might look like you can do it all in one day you may not be able to and really enjoy it. So, give yourself plenty of time when you are at the Grand Canyon so you can see all the rims, head down to the basin, whitewater raft, and just enjoy this beautiful natural wonder.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

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