Grand Canyon

by Puru

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Dec 28, 2013

Grand Canyon, a steep sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States. The Grand Canyon is contained within and managed by Grand Canyon National Park, Haulapai Tribal Nation and the Havasupai Tribe. Preservation prompted by President Roosevelt, the Grand Canyon region is approx. 277 mi wide, 18 mi wide and over a mile deep.

History

The canyon was created when  the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layers of rock while the Colorado Plateau was lifted up. Millions of years of erosion by the river has given the canyon its present form. The canyon has been inhabited by Native Americans while the Pueblo people considered it a holy site and made pilgrimages to it.

Overview

Hikers, Mule Riders and River Runners usually visit the Inner Canyon which is the area below the rim. It is a paradise for people interested in backpacking, river trip across the Colorado River or mule ride to the Phantom Ranch.

Ways to get across the Canyon :

  • Hiking – Hikers usually do a overnight trip to cover the 21 mile trek with vertical decent of 1 mile.
  • Automobile – One can get across the Colorado river via the Navajo Bridge, downstream from Lees Ferry.
  • Air Strip – no longer available
South Rim
Days and TimeAll Year, 24 hours a day
North Rim
Days and Time15 May to 15 Oct
Day use available from 15 Oct to 1 Dec/ till Highway 67 closes
Entrance Fee (valid for 7 days – both South and North Rim)
VehicleUS $25 per vehicle
IndividualUS $12
People coming by foot, bicycle, motorcycle and non-commercial groups.
Annual Recreational PassUS $50
Valid for 12 months. Admits purchaser and 1 accompanying person
America the Beautiful Annual Pass (National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass)
For PublicUS $80
For MilitaryFree
Senior PassUS $10
DisabledFree
VolunteersFree
Free Entrance (2013)
21 Jan  (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
22-26 Apr (National Park Week)
25 Aug (National Park Service Birthday)
28 Sep (National Public Lands Day)
9-11 Nov (Veterans Day weekend)
Backcountry Permit required for –
overnight hiking
overnight horseback riding
overnight cross-country ski trips
off-river overnight hikes by river trip members
overnight camping at rim sites other than developed campgrounds
overnight camping on the North Rim during the winter season
Colorado River Trip Permit required for –
All non-commercial river trips
Read more about permits here

Note:

  • A free shuttle bus system operates in the Grand Canyon Village area. Make your visit easier by parking your car at the Visitor Centre and using the free shuttle buses to get around the village.
  • Reservations are strongly recommended during spring, summer and fall
  • South Rim entrance permits can be bought at the following locations –
    • Flagstaff, AZ – Flagstaff Visitor Center
    • Williams, AZ – Williams Visitor Center
    • Valle, AZ – Chevron Travel Stop
    • More places here

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INFORMATION

There are two entries
South RimNorth Rim
Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest, and Desert View10 miles from the South Rim known as California condor flies
Most VisitedLess Visited
Height – 7000 feetHeight – 8000 feet
Season – All Year, preferably in Spring and FallSeason – mid-May through mid-October
Distance between South Rim and North Rim is 220 miles by car from the South Rim, or 21 miles by foot across the canyon by way of the North and South Kaibab Trails.

Learn More

About the Author

Puru

Puru is an IT Project Manager from Pune, India and an avid blogger. He is passionate about travel, photography, cinema and books. He blogs on Shadows Galore, Art House Cinema, The Mutinous Indian and Antarnaad.

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