Finally. Welcome to the Grand Canyon, friends, state jewel! I gave advice on organizing the trip (cost, parking, shuttle buses in the canyon, visitor centers, distances, maps, etc.), and now it's time to walk around the beautiful viewpoints of South Rim (South Rim). I invite you on an amazing journey through one of the most impressive places on the planet.

As I noted earlier, it is quite possible to get around the observation decks of Southern Rome in just a day, if you plan the movement in advance, as we did. You can use our itinerary:

Full description of our route step by step: Page - Grand Canyon South Rome by car - entrance to the canyon from Desert View road - Navajo point (by car) - Grandview point (by car) - Visitor Center (by car) - parked the car at the Visitor center - Mather point ( on foot) - Yavapai point (orange bus) - Rim Trail/Trail of Time (on foot) - Village area (on foot from point to point): Verkamp's Visitor Center, Lookout Studio - boarded the red bus next to Bright Angel Trailhead (Village Route transfer ) – Maricopa point (red bus) – Powell point (walking) – Hopi point (walking) – Mojave point (red bus) – Pima point (red bus) – back to Village (red bus) – lunch at Village – back to Visitor Center (blue bus Hermits Rest Route transfer) - Picked up the car at the Visitor Center.

Our itinerary (click to enlarge). Places where the stops are circled in red mean that here we took the bus.

For lovers of descents and ascents: in South Rome there are 2 trails that you can go down down to the Colorado River. These are Bright Angel trailhead (longer) and South Kaibab trailhead (shorter). Let me remind you that those who are planning a descent need to add +1 day to their route. Unfortunately, we didn’t have this time, so we didn’t see the river in person. Although, I have not bad photos of her, thanks to the powerful zoom on the camera.

Viewpoints of the Grand Canyon (South Rome). Eastern part - Desert View Road

We started our journey through the Grand Canyon on the right side (east) and ended on the left (west). As you can see in the diagram above, some of the viewpoints of South Rome are on the orange bus route, but most of them are on the red one. Some points should be visited by car (Desert View Watchtower, Navajo point, Moran point, Grandview point). They are equipped with small parking lots, and buses simply do not go there. For the rest it is possible to move only on or on foot.

Each observation platform has a stand with its name and information about the canyon. Some points are so close to each other that you will see about the same thing from them. Therefore, to save time, I advise you not to dwell on each of them. But some are definitely worth a visit: for example, somewhere there is an excellent view of, and some points are best place for panoramic shots.

We entered the canyon from the side of the Desert View road, skipping the first Desert View Watchtower and went straight to Navajo point.

Here is a diagram of our movement and stops along Desert View Road:

Navajo point (Navajo point)

The site is named after the Navajo Indian tribe, and the information board on it states that Indian tribes still live in parts of the Grand Canyon. The view from here is magnificent. The zigzag Colorado River and bizarre rock formations in a variety of hues. Not a bad start to the day, impressive! It is immediately clear why the canyon is called Big.

• Colorado River: visible
  Parking: yes
  

We did not visit the following points - Lipan point and Moran point.

Grandview point (Grandview point)

It turned out to be more difficult with parking here: there were too many cars, we had to work a little. The first thing that caught my eye was a small forest that grew right on the cliff, where the remains of snow still lay.

After standing here for just a minute, you immediately recognize that the observation deck lives up to its name (grand view - “majestic view”).

I found a very photogenic tree here.

• Colorado River: not visible
  Descent to the river: yes
  Parking: yes
  

We also missed the neighboring Yaki point.

Viewpoints of the Grand Canyon (South Rome). Southern part - Rim trail

Leaving the car in the parking lot at the Visitor center and having a snack there, we moved to the next point. It was only a couple of minutes walk to get there.

Mather point (Mezer point)

This is a large observation deck located next to the Visitor center, which lies on the Rim trail. There are orange bus stops nearby.

The view from this point is amazing - the valley of the Colorado River in all its glory, or "canyon in section."

My attention was drawn to the stand, urging not to throw coins "to come back here again." You may come back, but the coins can harm the birds. Let's save nature, friends!

• Colorado River: not visible
  Parking: yes (next to visitor center)
  Toilet: yes (next to the Visitor center); drinking water: yes (next to Visitor center)

From here we took the orange bus, drove 1 stop to Yavapai point/Geology Museum, and walked the Rim trail. Our next destination was the Trail of Time.

Between the bus stop and the beginning of the Road there is one interesting point where you can take a picture that has become popular among tourists. You just need to sit down, hiding behind a stone block, and that's what happens. No one was hurt in the taking of this photo.

Trail of Time

No, you won’t get into the future from here, but you can look into the past of the Grand Canyon. The Road of Time is a section of the Rim trail showing how the canyon formed over 2000 million years. It starts in the Yavapai Geology Museum area (today) and ends in front of Verkamp's Visitor Center (2000 million years ago), and its length is about 2.5 km. Of course, it would be more logical to go in the opposite direction - from the past to the present, but we went from right to left, on the way to the next stops on our route.

You can find the beginning of the trail by the sign.

Next, on one of the posters, you will be asked to find your mark on the "map" - a number corresponding to the number of your years. Each such "year" symbolizes a year from the history of the canyon - as it was 1, 2, 3, 30, 40 years ago. The numbers are located right on the footpath. I quickly found mine.

We covered the entire trail in about 1 hour, reading some stands along the way, which turned out to be quite a lot. Following time periods, they tell us about how the Grand Canyon was formed, when life began to emerge in it, what species of animals and plants live in it (in English).

Also, on the way there are samples of various rocks of the canyon, which can be compared to the touch.

And of course, let's not forget about the breathtaking views of Southern Rome itself, for which I stopped every now and then to take the next shots.

Bright Angel trailhead zigzag, and again the remains of snow.

Photo from the stand and from the canyon. Find 5 differences.

By the way, I found that the three main hills of Southern Rome even have their own names: “Temple of Shiva”, “Temple of Isis” and “Pyramid of Cheops”.

The Time Road turned out to be quite interesting and beneficial in terms of exploring the canyon. We didn’t want to travel around it all the time by bus, so the small Trail of Time was a great option to take a little walk and admire the views and local flora and fauna. pay attention to unusual trees, which squirm in poses, apparently to be photographed.

Having reached Verkamp’s Visitor Center, we decided to walk a little further through the Village territory to take the red bus and go to explore the western part of South Rome. On the way we went to the observation deck Lookout Studio (Lookout Studio). On it, in addition to a beautiful view, there is a small shop.

The famous Bright Angel trailhead- Descent to the Colorado River. They even erected a “monument” to this trail.

A few words about Grand Canyon Village (Grand Canyon Village)– here you can dine in one of several cafes, get fresh water, buy souvenirs, go to the museum, or take a bus on the blue or red line. You can drive to the Village by car and park it right there. At Verkamp's Visitor Center (Verkamp's Visitor Information Center) you can get any information that interests you. The hotels-lounges of Southern Rome are also located on the territory of the Village.

Viewpoints of the Grand Canyon (South Rome). Western part (red bus route)

From Grand Canyon Village we headed to perhaps the most interesting part of Southern Rome with the most breathtaking landscapes. These are observation platforms that run along the entire red bus route.

Most of the points on this route are an extension of the Rim trail, which is interrupted by the Greenway Trail, marked with a green dotted line on the map. Distances between points are from 0.5 km to 2 km. You choose where to ride the bus and where to walk. We also skipped some of the neighboring observation platforms to save time.

A long queue was waiting for us at the bus stop, but after 10 minutes we were moving west. We liked the red route not only because it takes travelers to 9 observation platforms at once, but also because of its drivers - they tell a little about each of them along the way.

We skipped the Trailview Overlook and The Abyss stops as they are nothing special. You get off the bus, and these points with benches immediately open in front of you, which you can take a glimpse of.

Maricopa point (Maricopa point)

This large observation deck with the most beautiful view was our first stop on the red route.

From it you can see close up how impressive the cuts the Colorado River made in the rocks. The temples of Shiva and Isis, along with the pyramid of Cheops, are now very close, as if in the palm of your hand. A small bonus was the “heart” hidden among other rocks 🙂

• Colorado River: not visible
  
  Toilet: no; drinking water: no

We walked to the next point. The distance between them was only 0.8 km.

Powell point (Powell point)

Here you will see a monument dedicated to the explorer J. Powell, after whom Arizona is named, and this observation deck. The photo shows an impressive view of it.

And here's what we see. The heart-shaped rock floats to the right, and the cuts made by Colorado open from new sides. The temple of Isis appears in all its glory.

• Colorado River: not visible
  Buses run: round trip
  Toilet: no; drinking water: no

We walked another 0.5 km to the next point.

Hopi point (Hopi point)

From Hopi Point you can once again admire the blue waters of the beautiful Colorado. Our "heart" here becomes the center of the composition.

Approximate version of the river.

• Colorado River: visible
  Buses run: only towards Hermits Rest
  Toilet: yes; drinking water: no

Mojave point (Mojave point)

From here you have a wonderful view of the river and the surrounding area. The further we moved along the red line of buses, the more impressive the scenery became, and Colorado was visible closer and closer.

• Colorado River: visible
  Buses run: round trip
  Toilet: no; drinking water: no

From Mohavi Point we again drove 2 bus stops.

Pima point (Pima point)

This vantage point is located on the Greenway Trail and is great for panoramic shots. There are two of them in Southern Rome - Pima point and Yaki point. According to the advice of the bus driver, Pima Point is also the best place to watch the sunset. I'm already silent about the view from this point. From here you can see the winding course of the Colorado River. You can’t take your eyes off, such beauty can be admired endlessly.

I followed the advice and took a panorama (the photo is clickable). Indeed, it was worth it.

Colorado River: visible
Buses run: round trip
Toilet: no; drinking water: no

After admiring the Grand Canyon a little more, we drove back to the Village, where we had lunch, and then got back on the blue bus to the Visitor center. Finally, we picked up the car and moved to , from where we had a return flight.

We did not want to return to noisy Vegas after cozy Arizona. The Grand Canyon entered the soul and left an imprint in the memory for many years. True, sometimes it began to seem to us that its views were no longer changing. As if, after a couple of hours, we were shown the same picture. Apparently, "wow!" the effect at some point ceased to work - you quickly get used to the good 🙂 But, looking at my photos, I was convinced that after all, every corner of the canyon is unique in its own way.

The Grand Canyon is so big that you can return here several times in search of new routes, each of which will take you on breathtaking adventures. I strongly advise you to come here at dawn and wait for sunset: in sunny weather, you can watch how the colors of the rocks change during the day. As this booth says, the Grand Canyon is never the same.

Is there a person who does not know what the Grand Canyon looks like in the USA? This natural creation enchants with its scale and attracts extreme hunters to commit another madness. Tourists come by the millions to the limestone highlands to feel the spirit of this ancient place and take beautiful photos.

General information about the Grand Canyon in the USA

The Grand Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. It is located in the state of Arizona on the Colorado Plateau, spread over a distance of 446 kilometers. In fact, it is part of the national park of the same name. The canyon is eroded by the Colorado River, and in some places its width reaches 29 kilometers. As a rule, slopes widen as the height increases. The depth of the Grand Canyon is 1800 meters.

From the point of view of geology, the Grand Canyon is of considerable interest, so scientists are still studying it. It is interesting that the rocky terrain, like an open book, can tell about the four geological eras of our planet. The rocks are so diverse that a lot of time will have to be spent to classify them into groups. In addition, this is the place where there are a huge number of caves. From the point of view of archeology, the canyon is very curious, because such an ancient plateau can hide real treasures.

Because of high altitude rocks, climatic zones change in accordance with depth, while their boundaries are very blurred. However, you can see the difference in temperature and humidity, as well as get to know the inhabitants of the canyon, descending lower and lower along its steep slopes. The flora of the Grand Canyon in the United States is very diverse. Tall trees such as fir, yellow pine and spruce are found here. These forests are home to a unique species of squirrel. True, there are also large animals, for example, black-tailed deer. There are many bats and rodents in the forests.

The history of the formation of a natural masterpiece

Many are interested in how the Grand Canyon was formed, because it takes not even thousands, but millions of years to create such a natural masterpiece. It is assumed that the Colorado River has flowed through the plain since the appearance of land, but the movement of the plates provoked the rise of the plateau. From this, the angle of inclination of the river bed changed, the speed of the current increased, and the rocks began to wash out faster.

The top layer consisted of limestones, which were washed out first. Deeper were sandstones and shales, but they could not resist the turbulent current that washes the plateau for many millions of years. Thus, approximately five million years ago, the Grand Canyon took on the appearance that it can be seen today. However, soil erosion continues to this day, so after another few million years, this natural landmark can change significantly.

Exploring the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon was inhabited by Indians long before Europeans arrived. This is evidenced by numerous rock paintings that appeared thousands of years ago. Despite the relief of this area, the indigenous people still live on the plateau. Here are the reservations of several tribes of Indians.

Spanish soldiers first encountered the Grand Canyon in 1540. They traveled around the mainland in the hope of finding gold, which is why they decided to go down to the bottom of the canyon. True, they could not cope with this task, since they were not prepared accordingly. After them, no one set a goal to go down. Only in 1869 did a scientific expedition to the Grand Canyon in the USA take place, during which it was possible to describe its features. These merits belong to Professor John Weasley Powell.

Interesting and incredible about the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon - unique place Therefore, many events of historical significance are associated with it. For its exclusivity, it was added to the UNESCO list in 1979, but there are more Interesting Facts associated with natural attractions.

Previously, many airliners flying over the Grand Canyon made several circles over it so that passengers could appreciate the beauty and scale of the plateau. The spectacle, of course, is impressive, but such actions were inherently dangerous due to the fact that the planes could collide while gliding over the rocks. This is what happened in 1956, resulting in the death of 128 people. The country's government reacted immediately and banned the visual flights of civilian aircraft on the airways.

30 years later, there was another plane crash over the Grand Canyon as a result of a collision between a sightseeing plane and a helicopter. Then 25 people on both ships died. It was not possible to find out the causes of the collision.

In 2013, a risky action took place in the Grand Canyon, which deservedly got into the Guinness Book of Records. The famous tightrope walker Nicholas Wallenda crossed the chasm between the rocks of the canyon without safety harnesses. This event became the sixth in the list of his most extraordinary accomplishments and deserved worldwide recognition.

Many tourists are wondering how to get to the Grand Canyon in the USA, because it stretches for quite a long distance. Today, special tours are organized here, and observation decks are equipped on the rocks. It's hard to name them the exact address, but with the help of a map and pointers, you can quickly navigate the area. Rafting on the river, as well as descents on mule rides, are more popular among visiting guests.

The Grand Canyon Historic Village has been lived in since the late 1800's. These are some of the can't miss sites that you should visit.

Grand Canyon Historic Village Sites:

1. Hermit's Rest – Built in 1914 to look like an old miner’s cabin by the renowned Southwest architect Mary Jane Colter, Hermit’s Rest has a magnificent giant fireplace and front porch. Enjoy a cup of chocolate and shop for souvenirs at the lovely gift shop. Hermit's Rest can only be visited by the Park Shuttle as the road is closed to private vehicles.
2. El Tovar – A famous landmark for the South Rim, the beautiful El Tovar hotel was built in 1905 and has housed great dignitaries such as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, author Zane Grey, President Bill Clinton and Paul McCartney. The lodge offers accommodations, fine dining, gift shop and lounge. This is a must-see attraction of the South Rim!
   www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/el-goods Phone: 888-297-2757 or 303-297-2757
3. Bright Angel Lodge – This historic and rustic lodge is a registered National Historic Landmark, designed by Mary Jane Colter and built in 1935 to be a charming but more affordable alternative to the elegant El Tovar Lodge. The famous Fred Harvey Company operated the lodge with restaurants and accommodations, even incorporating two historic cabins, Bucky O'Neill cabin and the Red Horse Cabin. Today, the lodge and cabins are still available to book and enjoy a unique part of the Grand Canyon history. Bright Angel also presents an exhibit on the history of Fred Harvey.
4. Kolb Studio – Ellsworth and Emery Kolb were important early photographers of the Grand Canyon and built a studio on the South Rim ledge in 1904. The studio has art exhibits, bookstore and auditorium for lectures.
5. Desert View Watchtower – Build in 1932, the 70 ft. watchtower is the highest point on the South Rim and presents a 360-view of the South Rim. You can see views of the Painted Desert, San Francisco Peaks and Vermilion Cliffs. There are beautiful murals painted on the walls of the staircase by Hopi artist Frank Kabotie. A gift shop sells local Native American items such as jewelry and pottery.
6. Hopi House – The Hopi House was designed in the adobe peuble style of the Hopi Indians and opened as a gift shop in 1905. The architect Mary Jane Colter wanted to honor and incorporate the beauty of Native American designs into the Grand Canyon experience. The gift shop is still sells authentic high quality Native American art and crafts.
7. Lookout Studio – Hovering right on the edge of the rim, the Lookout Studio is exactly as it’s title suggests – a terrific look-out over the South Rim. Built in 1914 as an observation point and gift shop for Fred Harvey, the Lookout Studio now sells photography prints, rock specimens and books.

• The El Tovar Stables (1904) were built to house horses and mules used for transportation around the park in pre-automobile times, and continue to be used to house mules for trips to . Individually listed on the NRHP.
• Verkamp's Curio Store (1906), is now Verkamp's Visitor Center, and is operated by the Grand Canyon Conservancy for the National Park Service. Built by Ohioan John George Verkamp, ​​who Native American crafts and souvenirs, the two-story shingled building has been described as “modified Mission” style, resembling an adobe building sold in form if not materials.
• The Grand Canyon Power House was built by the AT&SF to provide electricity to concessioner and park facilities. The Power House is notable for its application of rustic design principles to an industrial structure and for its creative use of scale. It is an individually listed National Historic Landmark.
• The Grand Canyon Depot (1910) and Grand Canyon Railway (1905) were built by the AT&SF. The depot, designed by Francis W. Wilson, is an individually listed National Historical Landmark, and the railway is on the National Register of Historic Places.
• The AT&SF Employee residences were built to house concessioner employees. Both the subdivision and the houses themselves are larger than the Park Service equivalent, with garages to the rear of the houses on alleys.
• Colter Hall, designed by Mary E.J. Colter and located behind El Tovar, was originally a dormitory for the Harvey Girls. It serves as employee housing today.

The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the United States. The huge gorge includes several different areas. The largest section of the gorge is located in the national park Grand Canyon. The park is divided into two main areas: the outlying North Rim and the more accessible (and therefore more visited) South Rim. The smaller, southwestern part of the canyon lies within two Indian reservations: the Havasupai and the Walapai. All areas of the canyon have their own special attractions and offer their visitors various types of recreation, but national park, primarily the South Rim, is by far the most popular destination to visit, receiving millions of tourists each year.

There are many other canyons on the planet. Some are larger, others wider, others deeper. Visitors are often surprised to learn that the Grand Canyon is far from being the largest, deepest, and widest canyon in the world. However, most consider it the most "grand". Its greatness makes one think about the role of man in the natural world. Only here comes the realization of how insignificant human history is compared to the millions of years that formed its monolithic walls.

Geology

The Grand Canyon reveals to us several eras of the Earth's geological history, a wide range of geological features and is considered the most striking example of erosion processes on our planet. Within the walls of the canyon, geologists have identified almost 40 layers of sedimentary rocks ranging in age from about 270 million years to about 1 billion 840 million years. Most of the rocks were deposited in warm, shallow seas near ancient, long-vanished seashores in western North America. Marine and terrestrial deposits are clearly represented, including the fossilized dunes of vanished deserts. The canyon walls display a virtually intact cross-section of the earth's crust, various geological features and rock types, with fossils embedded in many rock layers, testifying to how life has changed over nearly two billion years.

The uplift of a piece of land at the site of the modern canyon began about 75 million years ago. In total, the Colorado Plateau has risen to a height of about 3.2 km. As a result of the stretching of the earth's crust, about 18 million years ago, a huge depression began to form. The pre-existing river system began to drain into this huge depression. With the formation of the Gulf of California about 6 million years ago, the Colorado River began to lay its course in the northeastern part of the bay, along with its tributaries, carving the Grand Canyon.
The humid climate caused by the ice age about 2 million years ago greatly accelerated the formation of the Grand Canyon, which was almost as deep 1.2 million years ago as it is now. Volcanic activity 1.8 million - 500,000 years ago raised layers of lava to the surface. Lava flows formed at least 13 dams that temporarily blocked the Colorado River, forming lakes up to 610 m deep. The Colorado River acted like a grinding tool. She transported with her millions of tons of silt, pebbles and gravel, which carved layers of limestone, sandstone, clay, granite, shale and other sedimentary rocks on their way. Thus, the Colorado River has carved out nearly 2 billion years of Earth's geological history. The end of the last ice age and subsequent human activity has greatly reduced the ability of the Colorado River to deepen the canyon further. The construction of the Glen Canyon Dam upstream significantly slowed the transport of sediment to the Gulf of California.

The clear layout of the layers of the earth's crust of the Grand Canyon has attracted geologists from all over the world. Important scientific discoveries have been made here that have helped to better understand how our planet was created and how it continues to change. Scientists continue to investigate the influence of the environment on the formation of sedimentary rocks. Perhaps the biggest question of all, how the Colorado River chose this course and began carving the canyon, still awaits a clear answer.

Statistics

Size of the Grand Canyon within the national park: 487,350 hectares (4,950 km2);
Length: 433 km;
Width: minimum 180 meters, average 16 km, maximum 28.8 km;
Average depth: 1.6 km;
The height of the edge of the canyon: South Rim -2100 m, North Rim - 2400 m.

But it is not these statistics that determine the grandiose landscape, but a combination of several factors. The lack of sustained humidity has created a landscape of mostly bare rocks. The desert environment and lack of grass cover reveal the earth's geological history like no other place on Earth. Nowhere else in the world does the Earth show so much of the planet's geological history in such perfect condition, with no visible signs of wear and tear. As a result, the canyon offers us some of the most magnificent and unsurpassed landscapes on the planet.

History of the Grand Canyon

What is South Rim and North Rim?

The Grand Canyon National Park is divided into the South Rim and the North Rim. The barrier is created by the Colorado River, which divides the park into two parts. There are two ways to get from one part of the park to another: on foot or by car (bus).

Two trails (North Kaibab Trails and South Kaibab Trails) 34 km long connect both parts of the park along suspension bridge Kaibab Suspension Bridge across the Colorado River. This 1.6 km vertical descent and 1.6 km end-to-end hike includes an overnight stay for 99.5% of the national park's tourists.

Traveling by car from South Rim to North Rim is 354 km (five hours drive). The canyon is crossed over the Navajo Bridge a few kilometers from the historic Lees Ferry, where the canyon is only 122m wide. The entrance to the North Rim is located 48 km south of the small town of Jacob Lake on Highway 67, then you still have to drive an additional 22 km to the rim of the Grand Canyon.

The landscape, climate and vegetation differ markedly between north and south due to the difference in altitude. It's almost like two parks in one, it's impossible to see both sides of the canyon in one day.

South Rim

The South Rim is by far the most popular place to visit, receiving millions of tourists every year. South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All services for visitors: campsites, hotels, restaurants, etc. are available all year round. Here is the village of Grand Canyon Village, the center of which is included in the list of National Historic Monuments of the United States, there is a free public transport system, there are the main observation platforms of the canyon and a number of historical buildings. Bookings are recommended during late spring, summer and early autumn - peak tourist season. Some services are not available in winter period.

North Rim

Only 10% of all visitors to the national park visit the North Rim or "the other side" of the Grand Canyon. There is only one cottage town (Grand Canyon Lodge, http://www.grandcanyonlodgenorth.com/) and one campground. Accommodation and camping in North Rim is available from mid-May to mid-October.

So average height 2438 m above sea level, the North Rim is 305 m higher than the South Rim. Heavy snow often completely blocks the road to the North Rim from late October to mid-May each year. Therefore, the road to North Rim is open only during the summer (from about May 15 until the first snowfall), and all park facilities usually close by October 15, regardless of the weather (for some period, the North Rim road may be open to the public with limited set of services). With far fewer visitors, this area of ​​the park makes for a great place to enjoy the peace and majesty of the canyon. Main observation decks: Bright Angel Point (Bright Angel Point), Cape Royal (Cape Royal) and Point Imperial (Point Imperial, the highest observation deck in the park).

In the winter, when North Rim is closed, the only access to the national park is on foot or skis. Skiers and walkers are allowed to use the park's campgrounds during the winter months if they have obtained a park permit through the Backcountry Information Center.

Grand Canyon Village and its historic buildings

Grand Canyon Village(Grand Canyon Village) is the center of tourist activity and the transport hub of the national park in South Rim. The population according to the 2010 census was 2004 inhabitants. Located on the territory of the national park, the village is fully focused on serving tourists. The park's most popular trail, the Bright Angel Trail, originates from it. This community is the only place where the railroad reaches the edge of the canyon. The origins of this village date back to the construction of the railroad from Williams to South Rim in 1901. Many of the buildings in use today date from that period. The village has many historic buildings, and its historic center is listed as a National Historic Landmark in the United States.

Lookout Studio(Lookout Studio) was built in 1914 by the architect Colter, using local stones to harmonize with environment. The building is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. Studio opens beautiful panorama gorge, has an exhibition of photographs and books about the canyon. Currently, it works as a souvenir shop and an observation platform. Telescopes for observing the canyon are installed on the open terrace.

Hopi House(Hopi House) - another building designed by the architect Colter, designed in the style of traditional pueblo dwellings. At the end of the 19th century, all Indian tribes were on reservations. Many Americans at the time believed that in the near future, all native Indians would completely disappear due to disease and assimilation into the white population. Some travel companies, especially in the American Southwest, began to encourage wealthy travelers to come and see these Indians before they became a "vanished nation". By the standards of the 19th century, the Hopi tribes were considered "civilized" because they lived in permanent stone houses, possessed sophisticated arts and crafts, and were also "peaceful". To capitalize on this tourist interest, Railway Santa Fe built the Hopi House on the South Rim where visitors could watch and buy Hopi artisans at work. Today, the interior houses shops, exhibitions and a museum.

Grand Canyon Train Station(Grand Canyon Railway Depot) - historical railroad station, built of wood and located in the historic center of the village of Grand Canyon Village. The train station was built in 1909-1910 by the Santa Fe Company. It is one of only three remaining train stations in the United States built with wood logs as its main material. The station is located 100 meters from the edge of the canyon, opposite the El Tovar Hotel. The station is listed on the US National Register of Historic Landmarks. For over 100 years, the station has served as the arrival and departure point for millions of Grand Canyon tourists. This is a functioning railway station to this day.

kolbStudio(Kolb Studio). Built in 1904, the building functioned as one of the first tourist and commercial facilities in the canyon. The Kolb Studios was the residence of the Kolb brothers, as well as their photo lab, studio, and showroom for film and slideshow screenings. The Kolb brothers built the studio on the very edge of the South Rim, where the popular Bright Angel Trail begins. Photographing visitors as they made their way down the canyon, the Kolb brothers made a living. In 1911 they filmed their trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and showed the film regularly in their studio. Today, the building houses an art gallery, book and gift shop, the building is included in the list of National Historic Monuments of the United States.

Yavapai Geology Museum(Yavapai Museum of Geology). How old is the canyon? How is he educated? Exhibits at the Yavapai Museum of Geology will answer these and other questions. The museum is located 1.6 km from Market Plaza. The exhibition includes 3D models, photographs and interpretive panels to see and understand the area's complex geological history. Exhibits explain the deposition of rock layers, the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, and the carving process of the Grand Canyon. The museum is a great place to look for souvenirs and watch the panoramas of the canyon. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 - 19:00. Near the Yavapai Museum of Geology is the Yavapai Point observation deck.

Bucky O'Neal's house(Buckey O "Neill Cabin) was built in 1890 by William O" Neill. The one-story wooden house is the oldest surviving building on South Rim. The premises were used as the first accommodation for tourists in the 1890s. Since 1935, the Bucky O'Neal House has been included in the Bright Angel Lodge hotel complex. Since October 29, 1975, it has been on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Hotel El Tovar(El Tovar Hotel) is located directly on the southernmost rim of the Grand Canyon next to the train station. Built in 1905, 6 meters from the edge of the gorge, this hotel provided a high level of comfort and luxury (like a modern resort complex). El Tovar was one of the first such hotels in the national parks, designed to stimulate the flow of tourists to relax in beautiful places. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since September 6, 1974.

Mather Point(Motherpoint). Most visitors to the South Rim get their first panorama of the Grand Canyon from Mather Point. While other viewpoints offer more spectacular scenery, Mather Point is the most popular option as it is closer to the national park entrance and within walking distance of the Information Center. The viewing area is quite extensive - the observation deck has two narrow fenced ledges that open up a wide panorama in both directions.

Market Plaza serves shopping center the Grand Canyon Village. Here you will find supermarkets and shops, a bank, a post office and cafes. Market Plaza has a large parking lot, and its location in the center of the village allows you to leave your car here and use the park's free buses. Full service, grocery and department stores with clothing, souvenirs, rental equipment for camping and hiking in the canyon. Open daily, year round, from 8 am to 7 pm (Additional opening hours vary seasonally.)

Viewpoints of the Grand Canyon

South Rim lookouts are located along two main roads: Hermits Rest Road and Desert View Drive

Hermits Rest Road

The Hermits Rest Road (also called the West Drive Rim) stretches 11 km from the Hermits Rest Transfer stop near the Grand Canyon Information Center to the Hermits Rest terminus. There are nine lookouts along the edge of the canyon. According to this, extremely popular route, there are free national park buses, commercial bus tours are offered. Private car traffic on this road is only possible in December, January and February.

Parallel to Hermit Rest Road, a 12.6 km long hiking and cycling trail runs along the edge of the canyon. It makes it possible to independently travel between observation platforms and find additional observation points. The main viewing platforms are as follows:

Trailview Overlook(Trailview Overlook). This viewpoint is located 1.1 km from the Hermits Rest Transfer bus start stop. From here, you get a good view of the Bright Angel Trail (one of the most popular trails for walking and mule descent into the canyon) and the Grand Canyon Village Historic District.

Maricopa Point(Maricopa Point). In addition to stunning scenery, Maricopa Point overlooks the former remains of the Orphan Mine. Founded in 1893, the mine at various times mined copper, silver and vanadium, and from 1956 to 1969 was the largest uranium mine in the United States. At that time, the mine was the richest source of uranium mining in the entire United States.

Powell Point(Powell Point) - another narrow ledge along the road, where a granite monument to John Wesley Powell is erected in honor of his two expeditions on the Colorado River in 1869 and 1872. The observation deck is only a 10-minute walk through the pine forest from Maricopa Point, past the Orphan Mine, so many tourists walk and then take the bus. The panorama of the canyon is very similar to Maricopa Point.

Hopi Point(Hopi Point) is one of the most popular viewpoints for watching sunset and sunrise because of its wide panorama of the gorge. From here you can see the Colorado River to the west. Hopi Point is the northernmost ledge in this part of the South Rim, and the first observation platform that opens up 20 km of the western section of the Grand Canyon.

Mojave Point(Mohave Point). Another spectacular observation platform for watching the sunset and sunrise. Mohave Point offers a panorama of the Colorado River and an almost vertical, 900 m cliff of the neighboring Abyss observation deck.

ebiss(Abyss). Most of the viewpoints on South Rim are ledges. Abyss is a depression, but the panorama is no less beautiful here. Here you will get a real feeling of the depth of the Grand Canyon, the vertical wall of the gorge breaks down for 900 meters. The edge of the canyon here is covered with a rather dense forest.

Pima Point(Pima Point) offers the best panorama of the Colorado River. From here a good panorama of the small and large rapids of the Colorado River opens up, and you can even hear the roar of water on these rapids.

Hermit Rest(Hermits Rest). Mary Colter, one of the Grand Canyon's most famous architects, built Hermits Rest (translated as "hermits' rest") in 1914. Colter attempted to give it the characteristic design of an old prospector's lodge by building it from local stone and wood. Today, Hermits Rest houses a souvenir shop and a small cafe. Not far from this terminus, the Hermit Trail begins.

Although the paved Hermits Rest Road ends at the Hermit's Rest stop, several forest trails along the edge of the gorge follow 20 km further west, from where other panoramic views of the canyon open up. Two lookouts west of Hermits Rest (Yuma and Cocopa) can reach in one day hike.

Desert View Drive Road

Desert View Drive (also called East Rim Drive) stretches 42 km from Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower and the eastern entrance to the national park. Named after the Desert View Watchtower, the road includes visits to the following points of interest.

Yaki Point(Yaki Point) and Grandview Point (Grandview Point). The eastern lookouts of the canyon along Desert View Drive are much less visited than the western ones, with the exception of Yaki Point. The small car park at the edge of the canyon couldn't handle the increased traffic, so all private cars are banned from entering. You can visit it either on foot or by bus. The free Kaibab Rim Route national park bus departs from the Grand Canyon Information Center.

grandview point(Grandview Point). It is South Rim's southernmost viewpoint and is 1.5 km away from the road and offers a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon from east to west. This is where the historic Grandview Trail begins.

Moran Point(Moran Point). There is a short side road leading to this viewpoint from Desert View Drive. The site is named after the landscape painter Thomas Moran, who took part in a scientific expedition down the Colorado River in 1873 and helped popularize the canyon, which eventually led to the founding of the National Monument in 1908 and the National Park in 1919. Drawn by Moran in In 1873, a painting of the Grand Canyon was bought and hung on a wall in the US Congress.

Navajo Point(Navajo Point) offers panoramic views of the canyon and the Colorado River. Navajo Point is the highest observation deck on South Rim (with the exception of the top floor of the Watchtower). Navajo Point is just a kilometer west of the Desert View Watchtower and offers an alternative panorama of the sharp bend in the Colorado River.

Ruins of Tusayan(Tusayan Ruin). The long human history of the Grand Canyon is illustrated by the Tusayan Ruin. A visit to these ruins and the nearby museum gives an insight into how the Pueblo Indians lived here about 800 years ago. The Tusayan ruins are located 5 km west of the Desert View Watchtower, open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. The entrance is free. A visit to the ruins and the museum with park rangers is available daily.

Desert View Watchtower(also called the Indian Watchtower) is located 32 km east of the village of Grand Canyon Village, near the eastern entrance to the national park. Built in 1932, the four-story tower was designed by renowned American architect Mary Colter as a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower. This 21 meter tower is the most high point on the South Rim. On the lower floor of the tower there is a souvenir shop, a cafe, and its upper floors serve as observation platforms that offer a beautiful panorama of the canyon and the Colorado River. The interior walls of the tower are adorned with frescoes by artist Fred Caboty. Since May 28, 1987, the tower has been listed as a National Historic Landmark in the United States.

North Rim lookouts

Bright Angel Point(Bright Angel Point) is by far the most popular observation deck in North Rim. The reason for this popularity is in geography - the Grand Canyon Lodge (the only place to stay in North Rim) and Information Center North Rim Visitor Center. Most visitors simply have nowhere to go, as other viewpoints are along the road, which must be reached by car or bus, and can be reached on foot. A 1 km trail leads from the Grand Canyon Lodge to the observation deck, which offers a classic view of the canyon. Park rangers patrol the short trail on busy summer days, offering drinking water to thirsty visitors.

Imperial Point(Point Imperial) and Cape Royal(Cape Royal). At 2,683m, Point Imperial is the highest viewpoint on the North Rim, with a beautiful wide panorama of the eastern Grand Canyon.

Cape Royal(Cape Royal) is the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim, offering the widest view of the Grand Canyon of any other location in the national park. With unrestricted views to the east and west, this is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. The wide turn of the Colorado River is visible through a natural arch called the Angels Window (see photo). Cape Royal is 24 km from North Rim Information Centre. The road ends at a large parking lot, from where a 0.8 km trail leads to the edge of the canyon. From here you can see the Desert View Watchtower on the opposite edge of the canyon on the South Rim.

Thorovip Overlook(Toroweap Overlook). Some call this place Toroweap, others Tuweep. This is the most remote area of ​​the Grand Canyon National Park. To get to Toroweap, you need to travel an additional 2.5 hours from the North Rim Information Center. This site is located at an altitude of 914 m, so snow rarely falls here. Unlike the North Rim, the road to Toroweap is open year-round but can be impassable after heavy rainfall. Check with the National Park Rangers for road conditions first.

The park ranger station is open year-round and is about a thirty-minute drive from the canyon. Hiking trail information and site permits can be obtained from this ranger station. If you are in Las Vegas, use Pink Jeep Tours to visit this place, www.pinkjeeptours.com

Phantom Ranch

Phantom Ranch - small resort village at the very bottom of the gorge in the Grand Canyon National Park. It is located on the north side of the Colorado River, near the confluence of two small rivers: Phantom Creek and Bright Angel Creek.

As the popularity of the Grand Canyon grew, so did the popularity of the Phantom Ranch. On the Easter weekend of 1964, about 1,000 people spent the night there. Since then the Service national parks introduced a system of permits for the right to stay overnight. The ranch continues to be one of the most popular national park destinations in the US, with rooms often booked up to a year in advance.

The Phantom Ranch includes cottages, two male and female dorms, a restaurant (serves only those who order meals in advance), a mule pen, an emergency room, a ranger station, a campground (Bright Angel Campground), a beach that often visited by participants in rafting tours on the Colorado River. The houses were built using local stone and unhewn wood. The only way to get to the ranch is by walking the trail (or riding mules) and the Colorado River. Several interconnected trails pass by. Located near the ranch, the bridge is the only bridge on the Colorado River within 230 km.

Phantom Ranch is one of only two places in the US whose mail is still delivered by mule (the other is Supai).

Tours by local tour operators

How to get around the national park

Grand Canyon National Park has a free public transportation system on the South Rim. To facilitate your visit to the national park, leave your car in the car park at the Visitor Center and use the free shuttle bus to get around. No tickets required, bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park with signs. Take the free newspaper The Guide at the entrance to the park, it has a map of all car parks.

Please note that several viewpoints in the park have little or no car parking and can only be accessed by public transport. Buses usually run from sunrise to sunset, depending on the route. Transport runs more often from May to September. In addition, park buses serve the route between Tusayan and the national park during the summer. Located 3 km from the southern entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park, this small village is most often used by tourists for living.

Village Route(50 minutes round trip). The Village Route Bus connects cottages, campground, restaurants and shops to the Market Plaza and Visitor Center. It's not a scenic route, but the canyon's lookouts are within walking distance of some of the stops.

Scenic routes:

Kaibab/Rim Route(50 minutes round trip). Stops at 5 locations: Visitor Center, South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, Yavapai Geology Museum, Mother Point.

Hermits Rest Road(80 minutes round trip). The Hermits Rest Road bus runs from a stop called Hermits Rest Transfer to Hermits Rest with stops near 9 lookouts. This 11 km route is operated by buses from 1 March to 30 November. There are no buses in December, January and February.

On this route, you can get off at any stop, walk along the edge of the canyon on foot to the next bus stop and continue on. If you like walking, take food and water in your backpack and get off at the last bus stop (Hermit's Rest). The 12.8 km Rim Trail begins there, leading back to the village of Grand Canyon Village.

If you like cycling, Hermit Rest Road is the best cycling road in the national park. Compared to most roads, this road has much less vehicular traffic as private vehicles are banned from driving 9 months of the year (March 1 to November 30).

Tusayan Route(40 minutes round trip). This bus runs between Tusayan Village, Grand Canyon National Park Airport, and the National Park Visitor Center. The route is 11 km long. The first bus leaves for Tusayan at 8 am from the IMAX Theater. The first bus to Grand Canyon National Park leaves at 8:40. The last buses from both opposite stops of the route leave at 21:30.

Visitors entering the national park from the Tusayan village by bus must present a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the park or at various outlets in the Tusayan village.

Hiker's Express. The morning bus (at 8 and 9 a.m.) departs for the start of the South Kaibab Trailhead. The bus departs from Bright Angel Lodge Cottages, second stop at the Backcountry Information Center; third stop at the Information Center, last stop at the South Kaibab Trailhead.

Bus Trans-Canyon Shuttle(www.trans-canyonshuttle.com) runs between South Rim and North Rim once a day in each direction, travel time is approximately 4.5 hours one way. These are the only regular flights between the northern and southern parts of the park.

The bus leaves North Rim at 07:00 and arrives South Rim at 12:00
The bus leaves South Rim at 13:30 and arrives back in North Rim at 18:30

You must pre-book a seat on the bus. This can be done by calling 1-928-638-2820. Buses run from 15 May to 15 October, with limited service between 16 October and 31 October. This is the only way to travel between the two parts of the canyon (besides hiking through the gorge floor and driving).

On request, bus services between North Rim and South Rim are provided by the Grand Canyon Shuttle Service (www.grandcanyonshuttles.com). It offers visitors an itinerary of trips tailored to their interests.

Taxi service. Xanterra South Rim operates a taxi service between Grand Canyon National Airport, hotels in Tusayan Village and Grand Canyon Village. Phone 1-928-638-2822

Ticket

All private vehicles entering Grand Canyon National Park must pay a $25 entry fee and the ticket is valid for seven days. The fee for pedestrians or cyclists is $12, and the ticket is also valid for seven days. Exceptions are holders of the Annual Pass ($80 ticket valid for one year), Senior Pass ($10, valid for life, available to US citizens 62 years and older) or Access Pass (free, available only to disabled US citizens). Persons 15 years and under are admitted free. The national park admission fee includes both parts: the South Rim and the North Rim. Refunds due to adverse weather conditions are not provided.

information centers

Grand Canyon Information Center(Grand Canyon Visitor Center) provides a lot of useful information about the national park, where to go, what to do, how to relax, tours, trails, lookouts, weather, national park ranger programs and more useful information. You can watch the film Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder for 20 minutes. The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, accessible by free shuttle bus from Grand Canyon Village or market square. Following the pedestrian signs, you can walk to Mather Point Lookout (or take the free park bus) from beautiful view to the canyon. Many visitors prefer to park their vehicles in one of the 4 parking lots near the Information Center, and then use the free buses to bypass the Grand Canyon Village and the observation decks.

Located near the Information Center, Bicycle rental services (www.bikegrandcanyon.com) offers guided bike tours from April 1st to October 31st (other days weather permitting). Visit their cafe-bar, the menu is aimed at tourists, cyclists and walkers. The cafe is open all year round.

North Rim Information Center(North Rim Visitor Center) is located next to the Grand Canyon Lodge and Bright Angel Point observation deck. Here you can get the necessary information, maps, brochures, information about hiking along the paths of the park, weather, the schedule of familiarization programs of the park. Talk to the national park rangers, they will always answer your questions. The North Rim Information Center is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm from mid-May to mid-October.

Other areas of the Grand Canyon

havasupai indian reservation

To the southwest of the national park is the Havasupai Indian Reservation (www.havasupai-nsn.gov). The Havasupai tribe is the smallest nation among all the indigenous peoples of America, their number does not exceed 650 people. The Havasupai have lived in and around the Grand Canyon for over 700 years. Traditionally, the Havasupai cultivated the gorge in summer and hunted on the upper plateau in winter.

In 1882, US President Chester Arthur issued an executive order depriving the United States of all land on the plateau (which the Havasupai had traditionally used for their winter stay). As a result of the decree, the Havasupai lost 90% of their ancestral lands. In 1975, the US Congress decided to return 75,000 hectares of their ancestral land to the Havasupai - the largest area of ​​land ever returned to a single tribe.

Impressive waterfalls, especially the Havasu Falls, are the main attraction of this part of the canyon. The Havasupai live in the small village of Supai. The road to the village of Supai is along a 12.5 km long trail, they get there on foot, on horseback and mules (4 times a week by helicopter). The trail starts at the top of the plateau at Hualapai Hilltop. The nearest city to travel there is Peach Springs, Arizona, 106 km southwest of Hualapai Hilltop. Hiking from Hualapai Hilltop to the village of Supai and to the waterfalls in one day is almost impossible to do. At least one overnight stay is recommended. It offers tourists cottages, a cafe and a shop. You can book tours to the waterfalls on this website www.havasupaifalls.net

Walapai Indian Reservation

The Walapai have lived in the southwestern Grand Canyon for centuries. The Hualapai Indian Reservation, with an area of ​​404,868 hectares, was established in 1883. Today the tribe has about 2,300 members. The Tribal Council of the tribe is located in the city of Peach Springs (Peach Springs). The Walapai are engaged in cattle breeding, logging and hunting, but tourism is the most important branch of the economy. The tribe has chosen a location in the far southwest corner of the Grand Canyon (near Lake Mead and Las Vegas) for a range of tourism services.

skywalk

In 2007, Skywalk was built - the highest Observation deck in the world. Skywalk is a U-shaped glass platform in the form of a horseshoe, protruding 21 meters to the side above the gorge. The glass platform allows you to walk and look into the abyss of the canyon through the transparent floor. Called one of the greatest engineering marvels, the platform weighs around 500 tons but has no visible supports from above or below. Constructed using 10 cm thick glass, it is held together by huge bolts driven in to a depth of 14 meters.

Many visitors to Skywalk are unlikely to be happy to learn that the total cost of walking on a horseshoe is about $90 per person, while taking cameras with you and taking photos is prohibited. The official reason for the ban is to protect the surface of the glass from potential damage. This rule is strictly enforced with the help of security guards and metal detectors, cameras and other personal belongings must be left in the lockers. Photos of tourists on Skywalk are taken from the edge of the canyon by professional photographers for an additional fee. It is worth noting that the canyon in this place is not as deep, wide and spectacular as in the eastern regions of the national park.

The closest way to Skywalk is from Las Vegas (190 km), Nevada, or Kingman, Arizona, along Highway 93 (Highway 93). The last 16 km on a dirt road (Diamond Bar Road) from the city of Dolan Springs (Dolan Springs).

Flora and fauna

Most of the animals in the canyon are either nocturnal (active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Staying in hiding during the day allows them to avoid the scorching sun, thereby reducing their water requirements, allowing them to feed and hunt without overheating. They all have special safety mechanisms to survive this harsh environment.

Perhaps the park's most famous bird is the California condor. It is the largest bird in North America with a wingspan of up to 3 m and a weight of up to 14 kg. They are sometimes seen near the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Other bird species include canyon wren, Steller's black-headed blue jay, swallows, hummingbirds, crows.

The lush vegetation along the shores of the Colorado River creates good habitat for birds in a relatively small area. Of the 373 bird species found in the Grand Canyon region, 250 are found in the Colorado River corridor.

Black-tailed deer are often seen. Large elks live in the national park and in the neighboring Kaibab National Forest. Bighorn sheep are also sporadic, mostly in the interior of the canyon.

You will often spot coyotes in different areas of the gorge. Other predators are represented by mountain lions and bobcats. Black bears are rare and they tend to stay away from populated areas.

Visitors' favorite is the North American squirrel. She seems tame and begs to get food. But don't be tempted - squirrel bites are among the most common injuries in the park.

You may also see the striped skunk and, if you're lucky, the rare spotted skunk (generally at lower elevations). Skunks are also used to people and may seem tame, but they will react like all skunks do, so don't get too close to them.

The reptile family is represented by many small lizards and several snakes. The most notable of these is the rattlesnake.
Don't feed animals. It's bad for them, and it might be bad for you. It seems that hand squirrels can bite, and they are carriers of dangerous diseases. Stay away from deer and elk. Animals can suddenly pounce if they notice the close presence of a person.

Statistics

373 bird species;
91 species of mammals;
17 species of fish;
57 species of reptiles and amphibians;
8,480 known species of invertebrates;
23 exotic (non-native) animal species;
20 endemic animal species.

Endangered Animal Species:

Grizzly bear, black-footed ferret, gray wolf, jaguar, leopard frog, river otter.

Endangered:

Animals: Californian condor, Mexican spotted owl, crackling shepherd (bird), western desert gopher (land tortoise species).

The park includes several major ecosystems. Its great biodiversity is due to the presence of five of the seven vegetation zones and three of the four North American desert types. It's like traveling from Mexico to Canada. The park preserves relatively undisturbed areas of ecosystems (such as boreal forests and coastal deserts). It is home to numerous rare, endemic (found only in the Grand Canyon), as well as specially protected (endangered) species of plants and animals.

There are approximately 1,737 known vascular plant species, 167 fungal species, 64 moss species, and 195 lichen species in Grand Canyon National Park. This diversity is largely due to the elevation difference: from the river to the heights on the edge of the North Rim (2440 m). The forest grows at higher elevations, and at lower altitudes the landscape consists of a number of desert areas.

Climate

Ranging from 760m to over 2440m, the temperature and weather in Grand Canyon National Park largely depend on location. Temperatures at the edge of the South Rim are 11-16°C cooler than down by the river. This is a region of extremes. It can snow on the edge of the canyon, and you can sunbathe on the river bank below. On the contrary, it can be cool and comfortable on the edge in summer, and the temperature below the river can exceed + 49 °C. Summer thunderstorms and snowfalls in winter add to the weather diversity of this region.

Summer. Summer high temperatures range from +27 + 32 ° C on the South Rim (altitude 2135 m) to over +38 ° C on the river near Phantom Ranch (altitude 762 m). The high summer temperatures on the North Rim tend to be cooler than on the South Rim due to the increase in altitude (2440m), with highs around +21+26°C. The lowest temperatures in summer range from +4+15°C at the edge of South Rim to +16+26°C at Phantom Ranch. Thunderstorms and heavy rains are frequent during July, August and early September, sometimes with flash floods. Occasional thunderstorms with large hail and strong winds.

Autumn. Summer heat turns to cool, the average high temperature in the upper part of the canyon gradually decreases from +16 +21 °C in September to + 10 +15 °C along the river and from +32 +37 °C in September to about +21 °C in November . Low temperatures tend to drop below freezing at the upper rim of the canyon, but still remain warm +10-21°C along the river. Summer rains usually decrease in mid-September, and the weather is usually dry in the second half of autumn. But severe thunderstorms in late autumn can change the weather suddenly during this transitional season.

Winter. Winter at the top of the canyon can be quite harsh. Be prepared for snow, icy roads, trails and closed roads. Cold weather usually begins in November and consistently low temperatures occur at night in December and January. However, in the afternoon the sun warms the air up to + 4 +9 °C. In the canyon along the river, the average winter temperature is + 4 +15 °C, but sometimes drops to -1 +9 °C. Even taking into account sunny weather Expect significant snowfall in winter. On the upper edges of the gorge, on average, 1.3-2.5 m of snow falls annually, and sometimes the snow even reaches the river area. Snow on the highlands of the canyon falls until April. In winter and early spring, fog sometimes forms, but it dissipates quickly in the morning.

Spring. By mid-April, spring slowly begins to replace winter, although snow is not uncommon even in May. The winter cold gives way to warming and a pleasant spring period with an average high temperature gradually rises in the upper part of the canyon from +10 +21 °C in April to +21 +32 °C in early June, and in the Colorado River area from +27 +32 °С in April, up to almost +41 °C in early June. Sometimes the temperature can drop below zero in April and May and + 4 +9 °C in early June in the upper part of the canyon, and from +10 +15 °C in April to +21-26 °C in June along the Colorado River. Spring is generally dry with little rainfall. Due to the very dry air masses typical of late spring, night frosts are still possible.

How to get there

By plane. Most visitors to Grand Canyon National Park fly into one of two airports within a few hours of South Rim:

Las Vegas, international Airport McCarran International Airport, www.mccarran.com, the distance to South Rim is 443 km.
Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, www.skyharbor.com, South Rim is 370 km away.

Grand Canyon National Park Airport (www.grandcanyonairport.org) is located in the village of Tusayan, 3 km from the southern entrance to the national park. It is primarily used by companies that provide helicopter and airplane tours. Vision Air (www.visionholidays.com) flies here from Las Vegas (from the second North Las Vegas Airport, www.vgt.aero).

By bus. There are currently no travel agencies offering simultaneous bus rides to South Rim and North Rim. Travel companies mainly offer trips to the South Rim from the cities of Flagstaff, Phoenix, Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tour offers bus trips from Las Vegas and a range of optional tours, www.lasvegasgrandcanyontour.com

All hotels near Grand Canyon National Park on booking.com using this link

Video of the Grand Canyon