Category: | National Park |
Address: | Arizona |
Phone: | +1 928-638-7888 |
Site: | nps.gov |
Rating: | 4.8 |
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Jean Ross
We explored the South Rim in a day in mid-October with three boys aged 9, 7, and 4 and a 60+ grandma. We stayed at Yavapai Lodge which was conveniently located close to the General Store and lodge restaurant. After sitting down to examine the park shuttle map to get a handle on the FREE bus, our family started our adventure by taking the blue then orange route to South Kaibab Trailhead to hike the 0.9 mile route to Ooh Aah Point. Of all the hikes, this was the "easiest" for our family. Round trip the hike took about 2 hours where the majority of that time was spent hiking back up. From there, we took the bus over to the opposite end of the South Rim to Maswik Lodge where there is a large food court to feed every family member. Then, we walked the Rim Trail which includes the Trail of Time to the Geology Museum. Continuing on the Rim Trail, Mather Point, while ridiculously busy, is a view not to be missed! From there, we went back to the Visitor Center so the boys could get their Park Ranger booklets to begin to earn their badge. The one thing I would have done differently would be to pick these up earlier in the day. After badges were earned, we took the bus back to the General Store for a nice snack dinner then a walk back to the Rim Trail via the path near Shrine of Ages to watch the sunset. We also heard the stars are amazing. With tired boys, we took a bus back to the Visitor Center to do a short walk until away from lights to view the stars over the Grand Canyon. The day was full, our feet and legs were sore, but the trip will be unforgettable!
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Bo Finnemann
I stayed in Maswik Lodge from a Wednesday to Thursday late August. In the morning of Thursday, I took the 5 AM Hikers bus from Bright Angel Lodge to South Kaibab Trailhead. I hiked down to the river, following the South Kaibab Trail. It was a fantastic experience. I had obtained a Backcountry Permit to stay one night at Bright Angel Campground, and arrived there 9.30 AM. It was really nice and relaxing to stay in the campground, cool of in Bright Angel Creek River, talk to other hikers. There was an event at 7.30 PM in the Amphitheater, where two very nice female rangers did a session about the 101 anniversary of the National Park Service, and they also served cupcakes. It was really fun and a great atmosphere amongst the audience. I also recommend the Phantom Ranch canteen, where you can get a cup of coffee, a beer or other refreshments. The night sky at the campground was really beautiful. We could see all of the milky way stars, because of no lights pollution. In the morning of the Saturday, I started the hike up at 5.15 AM. I followed Bright Angel Trail. Again another marvellous experience, even though it is tough. I experienced spectacular nature and views and wildlife. I arrived at the rim at Bright Angel Trailhead at 11.30 AM. I really recommend a hike like this, if you are in shape to do it. In the morning of Sunday, after having stayed at Bright Angel Lodge, I watched the sunrise from the rim. Really beautiful.
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Katie
Before coming here I always heard people discuss how amazing the grand canyon is but I never truly realized how beautiful and breathtaking this national park is!! This park was huge and just visiting it for the one day I did was simply not long enough!! The scenery was like a painting and I felt that I could just reach out and touch it even thought it was hundreds of miles away from me. My one complaint about the place is (which is nothing that the park rangers could help fix) is that there is just so many people (which is great too!) but sometimes it is hard to get from the different overlooks and park because the park is just so popular. I thought this was good to note in my review because having patience is what keeps the park safe and more enjoyable for you and everyone around you. On another note, with knowing that there is so many visitors, the park is extremely well maintained and really clean as well which is great. Please visit this park at some point and try to schedule a couple days to explore this amazing place because just one day is not long enough!!
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Lawrence Tom
A great place to humble the mind and recharge the body. I followed the advice of local bloggers and entered through the East route which is little less traveled and once you explore the couple of sites to the East, we were able to devote most of our time to exploring the more traveled sites of the main park area. I heard horror stories of the park in the summer and high season so we decided to visit the weekend of Thanksgiving and it was GORGEOUS with very few people; at some spots we were the only people and could easily get any pictures we wanted... funny with so few people, we had to wait for someone to take our picture sometimes. Definitely a magnificent destination. Expect very, very little for cuisine. Think school cafeteria grade food and you will be right on target. The El Tovar was a great place to stay and the staff were friendly and very helpful. Our first room had an incessant dripping noise the first night and even though the hotel was completely booked, they were able to switch us to a different room. Go. Live.
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David Washington
Wow! Words simply cannot describe how beautiful and mind blowing the view of the canyon seen from the South Rim. I have seen many pictures of the Grand Canyon, but until I saw it with my own eyes I did not fully appreciate the beauty and size of this wonderful treasure. This is a trip all should make at least once. The canyon views from the Grand Canyon Village or the various overlooks along the Desert View Drive are all impressive, but I enjoyed the views from the Desert View Drive more simply because there are smaller crowds at the overlooks along the Desert View route. If staying overnight in Tusayan - seeing the nighttime sky while parked near an overlook along the Desert View Drive is a real treat! With no light pollution you are able to see a sky full of stars. Just as impressive are the views of the Grand Canyon in the daytime so are the stars seen during the nighttime.
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Dawn Petersburg
At the South Rim are amazing and spectacular views-- with a $30 park entrance fee, *free* shuttle buses travel East and West along the southern canyon rim every 10-15 mins after 6:00a. Sunrise shuttle bus starts at 4:30a in the summer. At the visitor centers are park personnel to answer questions, free maps, informational videos and boards, bike rentals, gift shops, places to eat (also along various shuttle stops near lodges and a couple hotels). There are numerous camp sites and at the main Yavapai market center, a huge grocery and general store that supplies everything you need for your lodge/hotel/camping stay. There is a laundry mat, post office, and Chase bank as well.
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Rollo Worstcase
A must. We had an overnight permit for Bright Angel Campground at the bottom. There is a Lottery at the Backcountry Office for 10% of the sites every day. You should be there not later than 08:00 a.m. to take part. The Kaibab Trail is a good decision for the hike to the bottom (no water, less shades, great views). The Bright Angel Trail is good for the hike back to the South Rim (water, restrooms, shady parts). If you want/ need camping for free near Grand Canyon: use the dirt road (Fire Road 800) to Apache Stables (between National Park an Tusayan) and you will see a lot of "camp sites". This area is part of the National Forest and camping is allowed.
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Vanessa O.
Loved this place! My husband and I took our boys here March of 2017 and we were trying to make it before sunset. Well, we were just a little too late to see the sunsetting in the west, however the full moon rising in the east was spectacular! We got there at the right moment watching it come up out of the canyons!! It was an awesome sight to see. We did go back the next day and drive along side east rim making stops at all the sight seeing areas. The place is so clean and magnificent, you can tell the parks employees take pride in keeping it up. Our family will be going back for sure. Also, the store on the canyon was reasonably priced as well.
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Miss Ronnie Lauderdale
+JMJ...SPECTACULAR!! My visit was like a dream come true. Was in absolute awe of the opportunity to behold with my own eyes one of the 7th Wonders of the World! However, as delighted as I was to be able to gaze upon all that natural beauty, near abysmal depth (to me), and expansive acreage, I managed to suffer a bout of vertigo at the entrance of Bright Angel Trail. Rats! So, I MUST return to conquer the fear of heights so that I can travel downward a ways on that trail. Anyone with an interest in geology and natural beauty of the earth MUST visit the Grand Canyon, its Visitor Center, and other areas of interest that enhance the visit.
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Victor Sarria
South Rim is the most visited area. Take the different free shuttles to move around better than with your car. Many areas are closed for private cars. If you prefer you can go to the north rim less crowded (3h away and only opened in summer). To make the whole tours by bus plan 1 & half day but spending 1 whole day can be enough as many view points are close to each other and gives you symilar sights (the bus stops in all view points, of course you can walk if you want but then you need 3-4 days to see everything). Try to stop by in as many view points as you can... I could be hours in any of them looking that impressive views.
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Simon Jones
The Grand Canyon is without doubt one of the natural wonders of the world. Pictures do it no justice. On seperate trips to the Grand Canyon I have travelled to both the North and South Rims of the National Park. The North Rim is less busy than the South Rim, receiving some 400,000 visitors per year compared to around 4 million seen at the southern rim due to ease of access for the majority of tourists who travel into the park from the south. Regardless of whether you stick to the tourist trail of the Southern Rim or want a more secluded adventure on the North Rim the Grand Canyon is a must visit for all to enjoy.
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Erica Rouse
Absolutely breathtaking! The facilities are very clean and well-kept. I did not ride on the shuttle busses from the parking lot (we went on a light day and got a close parking spot), but they looked clean and new. The walkways are very well paved, and the staff in the gift shops to the ticket booth were incredibly friendly. I love that this park is dog-friendly and not limited to service animals. They have a fresh spring water booth as well to fill up on, as well as helicopter rides, skydiving, hiking trails, horse/donkey trails (rentals), and dozens of spots to get good pictures along the rim.
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Aditya Sri Charan Papani
I would be a miserable fool if I did not like this magnificent piece of work by the nature itself. The first sight of the Canyon sent shivers down my spine. I enjoyed every moment at this place. Do yourself a favor and do not stick to sightseeing from the rim. Camp there, go on a hike and I promise it will be a humbling experience. Camping is permitted only at Mather campground on the south rim and needs a permit which gets sold out months in advance. Partial day hikes down the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab trails are must do and will give you the reason to get outdoors more often.
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Tara Martinson
Just visited this past weekend for the second time in my life. This place is beautiful and there is nothing else like it. The staff and rangers are very nice and polite.I love the free shuttle busses they provide to get you around the park, we utilized this and it was great. Their facilities are VERY clean as well. Next time I would like to rent their bikes with the trailer (to put my kids in). I was also very impressed with their medical staff. A gentleman had fallen and hit his head and was bleeding a lot - they made sure he was taken care of and had a ambulance there right away.
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Michele Garza
I hiked from the North Rim Kaibab down and took Bright Angel out. This trip took 2 days. The north rim was peaceful and relaxing while the south rim was very touristy. The hike was enduring, scenic and quite an experience. To experience the canyon from inside is just WOW. Know that everything you put in your bag you are carrying so only pack essentials, that is the best advice I can give besides great footwear and sun protection (hats, clothing, not just sunscreen.) Enjoy the GC it is a great National Park we should all experience, enjoy and be proud of.