THE GRAND CANYON, GRANDER THAN YOU THINK
09-13-2008
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this Arizona treasure can’t be fully explored in just one day
Phoenix, Ariz. (Sept 11, 2008) – Located in northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles in length, 10 miles wide and one mile deep. So it’s no wonder why exploring the Canyon from east to west and north to south takes much longer than just one day. Visitors to the Grand Canyon who are looking to experience all that the world-famous attraction has to offer – from the Sky Walk and mule rides to rafting the Colorado River and helicopter tours – should be aware of the distances and travel times between such activities as well as their locations when planning their Grand Canyon adventure.
South Rim
The South Rim, part of Grand Canyon National Park, is the most famous rim of the Grand Canyon, and the busiest, attracting 90% of all Grand Canyon visitors. Open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, the South Rim offers numerous canyon overlooks, hikes along the rim or into the canyon, a wide-variety of lodging, dining, gift stores, and campsites, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It is also where visitors will find some of the Grand Canyon’s most well-known attractions such as Kolb Studios, the historic El Tovar Lodge, and the Hopi House. For adventure seekers, Colorado River-rafting and helicopter tours are also available at the South Rim. Rafting tours primarily leave from Lee’s Ferry, located approximately 3 hours away from the South Rim, although some people arrange to take only half the trip which they can catch at the bottom of a trail that departs from the South Rim. To ensure availability, arrangements should be made well in advance.
Many visitors to the South Rim chose to stay in Tusayan, located just five miles to the south. This village offers a number of accommodations and campgrounds to the many hikers, bikers and tourists that visit the area. Among the stores featuring Grand Canyon memorabilia and the many gift and craft shops is the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater. The seven-story, giant screen presentation of the Grand Canyon offers guests a chance to experience climbing and rafting through the canyons on-screen.
Located 230 miles north of Phoenix, the South Rim is approximately four-hours by car from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/south-rim
North Rim
Located just 10 miles away as the crow flies from the South Rim, but more than 200 miles by road (approximately five hours driving distance), the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park offers a slower pace than the South Rim and the opportunity for quiet exploration.
While visiting the North Rim, travelers may chose to stop by the visitor center and talk with one of the park’s rangers, walk the short trail to Bright Angel Point for expansive views across the canyon, and drive through mountain meadows to Point Imperial or the viewpoints along the Walhalla Plateau. Visitors can watch in
wonder as a California condor floats effortlessly over the Canyon's buttes or learn the secrets of the North Rim through a ranger-guided activity. Solitude can be found hiking the trails, riding the mules, exploring the roads, and enjoying the awe-inspiring views in a nearly untouched setting.
There are only two options for staying at the North Rim: a campground and the Grand Canyon Lodge. There are no other hotels or restaurants. Many visitors to the North Rim chose to stay in Jacob Lake at the Jacob Lake Inn. A 44-mile scenic drive from the North Rim, Jacob Lake Inn is nestled in the towering pines of the Kaibab National Forest. Jacob Lake has complete facilities for the traveler to Grand Canyon's North Rim including beautiful rooms, a gift shop, dining room, lunch counter, and service station.
Because of the higher elevation, 8000 ft., the North Rim is open May – mid-October, depending on the weather.[Back to Press Releases Main]
