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!

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10 Ways to Discover the Grand Canyon

Are you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon but don’t know what kind of activities there are to see and do once you reach the Grand Canyon?

If you are planning to visit the Grand Canyon either as a 1-Day-Activity or if you wish to make a week of it, there are plenty of options.

Here are 10 ways to explore the Grand Canyon. Many people could easily spend all day just looking at this magical wonder, but there are other ways you can enjoy the mighty Grand Canyon.

If you do not have a lot of time, it’s still possible to enjoy the Grand Canyon; you may just feel a little rushed. If you leave early and prepare yourself for a long day, it can be done.

If you are a traveler who has a little extra time, you would likely appreciate taking that extra day or two and view the other sightseeing attractions as you make your way to the Grand Canyon.

Many visitors spend the night in another town, such as Sedona, Arizona, where the beauty of the red-rock will astound you. If you choose to drive from the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area, plan on about 4.5 hours of travel time to get to the Grand Canyon.

If you decide to stay in Flagstaff before traveling to Grand Canyon National Park, it is approximately 80 miles away, which should take about an hour and a half to drive there. If you stay in Sedona, the Canyon is about a two-hour drive.

The Grand Canyon National Park offers a free shuttle at the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, along Hermit Road. Note that these shuttles provide transportation only and are not considered tour buses. (Bus Tours are available, however.)

You are required to exit the bus to view the Canyon. Also note that if you have physical challenges, most shuttles are inaccessible to wheelchairs.

Here are 10 excellent ways to explore the Grand Canyon.

1. Go boating or rafting. There are plenty of companies who are willing to take you on a very specialized tour-guided river experience inside the Grand Canyon. If you choose to go rafting, though, keep in mind that the water can get a little rough at times, but you will certainly be in good hands with your tour guide and required life jacket.

If you are timid about water, consider the fact that the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is said to be one of the wildest stretches of white water in the United States.

2. Go hiking. Many hiking trails exist throughout the area. The South Rim is where the most popular hike is. The name of this trail on the South Rim is named Bright Angel Trail, located near Grand Canyon Village.

On the North Rim, the most popular hiking trail is North Kaibab. (No permit is required here.)

No permit is needed for day hiking, but you will need a permit if you choose to camp inside the Grand Canyon, as dictated by the National Park Service.

The most popular backpacking site is the Bright Angel Campground. Bright Angel Campground is located at the end of Bright Angel Trail.

3. If you are not afraid of heights, you can always try out the new Grand Canyon Skywalk which recently opened this past spring! The Skywalk is officially open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. It first opened March 28, 2007, and from all accounts, is something very special and exciting.

4. Take a helicopter or a mule ride inside the Canyon. You will find several companies who will give you a bird’s eye view down inside the Canyon.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the first walkway to suspend more than 4,000 feet above the Canyon floor. It extends 70 feet from the rim and is located at Grand Canyon West’s Eagle Point.

5. Take a helicopter ride. Tours originate at either the Grand Canyon Airport, five miles south of the park entrance or in Sedona.

6. Drive to the South Rim and park your car and walk to the edge of the Grand Canyon. If you don’t like large groups, or if you just prefer doing things on your own time, you certainly have this option.

7. You can access the Grand Canyon Railway train for some fun, too. Sit back and relax! Jump the train in Williams, Arizona, where it will escort you precisely to Grand Canyon Village.

8. Take a bus tour. Many tour companies are available for your tour to the Grand Canyon.

9. Take a Jeep Tour. If you like the wilderness, you will find that these Jeep tours are a great way to take in limitless nature along with Native American Indian history, culture and more.

10. Settle for an Audio Tour. You can also opt for your own personal guide on a CD. These are also available to visitors and provide a learning experience at every listeners own pace.

Guide to the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona – Part 5

Eighty-nine years ago today – on February 26, 1919 – the Grand Canyon National Park was established – one of the first national parks in America.

The magnificent Grand Canyon. There is nothing else quite like it on Earth. Located in northern Arizona, this spectacular geological feature has formed over a period of six million years. The scenic views are vast and unforgettable. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to experience the canyon, and you can too! However, before you start packing there are a few things you may wish to consider.

The Grand Canyon is located in an area of high desert, carved by the mighty Colorado River as it winds it’s way through portions of the Kaibab, Coconino, and Kanab Plateaus. Stretching nearly three hundred miles, the canyon is home to a bevy of wildlife, and countless recreational opportunities, including hiking, white-water rafting, bird watching, photography, oh and pack mule excursions for the brave of heart.

Designated a national monument in 1908, and a national park in 1919, Grand Canyon National Park remains one of the oldest national parks in America. Access to the canyon is limited, however, with most visitors entering the park from the south rim via Arizona Highway 64 near Tusayan. Park headquarters are located at Grand Canyon Village, a short distance from the park entrance. In all, approximately thirty miles of the south rim are accessible by road. There are no open roads connecting the north and south rim of the canyon.

Although the vistas are stunning, one should keep in mind that most parts of the Grand Canyon are extremely remote and obviously dangerous. When visiting the canyon, be sure to stick to the developed roads and trails. Many remote locations can be reached by backpacking, but be sure you plan your visit wisely.

An annual national parks pass can be purchased at the park entrance for a fee of $80.00. For some, this pass may not be a wise investment, but for those who simply can’t resist the allure of the outdoors, it is worth every dime.

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.