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Road Trips for Nature Lovers: A Visitor’s Guide to Grand Canyon National Park

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Grand Canyon National Park
Photo: Pixabay

Grand Canyon National Park sprawls over 1,904 square miles — that’s slightly larger than Rhode Island. Elevations range from 2,000-8,000 feet and the region is known for its breathtaking views, stunning climbs, and changeable temperatures. It also has an estimated 1,000 caves, only 335 of which have been publically recorded. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip to one of the country’s most stunning national parks.


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Best time to visit

planner calendar
Photo: Pixabay

Like with other national parks, the Grand Canyon is busiest during the summer. U.S. News & World Report recommends visiting during the “shoulder seasons” from March through May or September through November when it’s less crowded and the temperatures are milder.

Park admission and navigation

According to the National Park Service, you can purchase a digital entrance pass via Recreation.gov. You can then download it to your phone or print it out as a PDF.

Download park maps from the NPS website ahead of time to lower the risk you’ll get lost driving into the park grounds. And though reception is spotty due to the park’s remote nature, it does have a free app that you can download to enhance your visit. The app includes a map and also helps you locate trailheads, overlooks, and restrooms. It includes up-to-date accessibility information for some trails and park facilities, as well as a self-guided walking tour feature.

It’s worth noting that certain areas of the park (including roads) are closed during winter. Per the NPS, the South Rim area of the park is open year-round. But the North Rim closes from mid-October and opens in mid-May. So, make sure to check with the park and the NPS website when setting your trip dates — and decide on which areas to hike accordingly.


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Hiking trail suggestions

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The South Kaibab trail is just one of the rewarding trails you can conquer in the South Rim area
Photo: Pixabay

Due to the vastness of the park, you’ll have your pick of trails to choose from when hiking. Which one you pick depends partly on which trails are accessible when you visit. For instance, only the South Rim ones are open mid-October through mid-May. It also depends on how long and challenging of a path you prefer. But here are just a few suggested trails to help you plan the hiking part of your visit.

South Rim

Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden Campground is a 9-mile round-trip. It’s a moderately challenging trail on which you’ll see Native American rock pictographs and an oasis with a stream running through it, among other geographical features.

South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point is a bit shorter of a trek, spanning 6 miles. Switchbacks, glimpses of the Colorado River, and 360-degree panoramic views characterize the trail. Make sure to wear layers though, since this route is an exposed one that tends to attract high winds.

North Rim

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The Coconino Overlook in the North Rim area
Photo: GeorgeB2 via Pixabay

Grand Canyon Lodge via the Transept Trail is a great one for beginners due to its short 4-mile length. The path takes you from the lodge area to the canyon’s edge, offering cliffside views and woodland vistas.

Ken Patrick Trail to Point Imperial is a good one if you want an intermediate-level trail with minimal elevation changes. It spans 5.4 miles and includes the highest overlook point on the North Rim part of the park (8,803 feet high, to be exact).

Wildlife to look out for

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Javelinas are just some of the critters you might see in the Grand Canyon
Photo: Calvin Tatum via Pixabay

The Grand Canyon is home to a diverse array of creatures. According to the NPS, 447 known bird species, 91 mammal species, 48 reptile species, 10 amphibian species, and a spectrum of insects reside here. Some of the warm-blooded residents you might see include bats, bison, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, ringtails, hog-nosed skunks, and wild hogs called “javelinas.”

If you’re wary of large animals, rest assured that the bison are only found in the park’s North Rim area. And though you might glimpse a mountain lion if you’re traveling along East Rim Drive, the NPS claims they’re more likely to get hit by a car than attack human visitors since they don’t view people as prey.