Phoenix flights and travel guide

The Grand Canyon

The Southwest’s Grand Canyon is an amazing sight to see. The giant canyon is 446km (277 miles) long and 29km (18 miles) wide in some places. It was created over millions of years by the Colorado River and is one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. You can explore the canyon’s purple and red rock formations by foot, horseback, plane, helicopter or river raft. The Grand Canyon National Park has two separate areas: the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim is more accessible and has more visitors, while the North Rim is higher in elevation and is harder to access. Between October and May snowfall blocks the entrance. Whichever side you make it to, you’ll be able to drive or walk along the canyon rim and stop at scenic viewpoints along the way. You can also hike into the bottom of the canyon and stay overnight on the canyon floor at Phantom Ranch. In peak tourist season the South Rim can become very busy and congested, but the visit is still worth it. One of the newest attractions at Grand Canyon West is the Grand Canyon Skywalk. This glass-bottomed walkway swings out and over the canyon’s rim, giving visitors the feel of walking on air over the deep canyon. 

Telephone: (928) 638 7888. 
Website:www.nps.gov
Getting there: Shuttles run between Phoenix and Flagstaff and between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. There are also free shuttle buses from Grand Canyon Village to the South Rim. During tourist season a shuttle operates between the north and south rim. The drive from Phoenix to the canyon takes four hours. 
Hours of operation: The South Rim is open 24 hours daily all year. Information Plaza: 8am – 5pm. The North Rim is open from 20 May  to 14 October. The Visitor Centre is open 8am – 6pm. 
Admission: The entrance to the park is $25 per vehicle or $12 for pedestrians or cyclists and lasts for seven days. Skywalk Deck: $29.95.