Phoenix Flights and Travel Guide

The Grand Canyon

A mile deep, 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, the breathtaking grandeur of the Grand Canyon is so impressive that pictures or words simply cannot do it justice. One of the great natural wonders of the world, it was formed by the cutting action of the Colorado River over millions of years. The hard rock formations survive as great cliffs, pinnacles and buttes, and the different layers of rock span a range of colors: from purple, fiery-red and pastel-pink, to yellow, brown, gray and soft tones of blue. Whether by foot or on horseback, from a plane or helicopter, aboard a raft down the mighty Colorado River or by merely gazing in awe from the rim, the canyon's seemingly infinite depths can be experienced in a variety of ways and is a sight not to be missed, however one chooses to see it. The park receives hoards of visitors from around the world, who cannot fail to be transfixed by the sculpted rock shapes, the shifting colors that change with the light and a tiny glimpse of the Colorado River far below. The Grand Canyon National Park comprises two separate areas: the South Rim and the more remote North Rim. Separated by the 10-mile width of the canyon, it is a 215-mile drive from one Visitor Center to the other. The South Rim is the most accessible and has more facilities, and as a result it attracts the bulk of visitors to its boundaries. The North Rim is higher in elevation, wetter, with thicker surrounding forests, is further to access, and is cut off by snowfall from October to May. Many people however prefer its comparative peacefulness and less-crowded lookouts. Both rims have numerous drives and walkways along the edge with various scenic viewpoints and some hiking trails into the canyon where one can overnight at Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor. The impact of the more than four million visitors a year to the South Rim, especially during the busy summer months, is one of overcrowding and traffic congestion; but to see for oneself one of the most spectacular examples of natural erosion in the world more than makes up for the inconvenience.

Telephone: (928) 638 7888

E-mail: info@grandcanyonchamber.org

Web site: www.nps.gov/grca

Transport: Shuttle services operate between Phoenix and Flagstaff, and between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. Free shuttle buses also operate from Grand Canyon Village to the South Rim. A shuttle service is provided between the north and south rim in season. It is a four-hour journey from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

Opening time: South Rim is open 24 hours daily, all year; Information Plaza 8am to 5pm. The North Rim is open from 10 May to 14 October, and the visitor center from 8am to 6pm

Admission: Entrance to the park is $20 per vehicle or $10 for pedestrians and cyclists, valid for seven days on either rim