A trip to Arizona wouldn't be complete without a visit to the famous gorge in the north. This page lists some Grand Canyon travel planning tips, with routes and attractions.

Services and lodging are easily available to the Canyon, especially to the south rim. I've been impressed with the well-maintained roads that Arizona provides, at least for the summer driving that I've done. There are good driving routes to the south rim from either Phoenix, Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada. If you want to visit the north rim of the Grand Canyon, along with Zion or Bryce Canyon, then Vegas is the way to go.

So, first things first. Which rim do you want to visit? The south rim is the most popular, while the North rim is quieter and more isolated. But there's a third choice. The area of the Grand Canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation is known as the West rim. This is where you'll find Grand Canyon Caverns and the Skywalk (a glass bottomed bridge!).

Grand Canyon South Rim

90% of Grand Canyon travel is to the south rim in the area of Grand Canyon Village. It's easily accessible from either Phoenix, Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada. There's plenty of lodging nearby and a lot of things to see on the way there. See the links below for details.

If you're visiting Las Vegas and are interested in taking a bus or air tour of the Canyon, the south rim is probably where you'll end up. Besides those that leave Vegas, many helicopter and airplane tours also take off from the Grand Canyon Airport at Tusayun, just a mile from the park entrance.

The Grand Canyon south rim is where Grand Canyon Village is located. It's open all year and is only about 80 miles from Flagstaff, AZ. You can visit the south rim in December and hike or ride a mule down to the bottom of the canyon if you so desire. The temperature is usually 20 to 30 degrees warmer on the canyon floor than it is on the rim.

Grand Canyon North Rim

For most people, the north rim is not as practical for Grand Canyon travel as the south rim. Its isolation and lack of services don't attract as many visitors, that's what makes it so great! If you want to avoid the crowds, you may want to make the extra effort to get to the north rim. Being somewhat inaccessable for most tourists, it is oriented more toward hikers and sturdy folk. The 45 minute drive in from Jacob Lake is spectacular, traversing endless valleys or "parks" surrounded by Ponderosa Pine forest. The night sky here is brilliant, with blazing stars set into a black velvet sky.

By flying into Las Vegas, your Grand Canyon travel plans could include a loop up into Utah. With this itinerary you can see Zion national Park, Bryce Canyon, and the North rim of the Grand Canyon all in just a few days. Lake Powell and Cedar Breaks National Monument are also in this area.

The Grand Canyon north rim is about 1000 feet higher in elevation than the south rim. The north rim roads close for the winter anywhere from mid-November to early December.

Grand Canyon West Rim

This is a newer development situated around the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Peach Springs, Arizona. The Grand Canyon West Resort has lodging and tours all run by the Hualapai people. Here's where you'll find the glass bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk jutting out from the canyon rim. Those who venture out onto the skywalk stand on thick glass suspended 4000 feet above the canyon floor.

Here are some Grand Canyon travel planning resources.

National Park Service Grand Canyon travel page. This is their main travel planner for the Grand Canyon.

Driving Las Vegas Grand Canyon
It's worth the Trip

Tourism of the Grand Canyon
A Great American Tradition

Visit Grand Canyon in December
Beat the Heat and Crowds

In Which State is Grand Canyon Located?
Amaze Your Friends!

The Grand Canyon North Rim
The Quiet Side of the Canyon

Grand Canyon South Rim, a Winter Destination
Forget "summer vacation", the Grand Canyon South Rim is a great place to go even in the winter!

Phoenix to Grand Canyon Routes
Alternate and Scenic Phoenix to Grand Canyon Routes

Sources for Free Grand Canyon maps
Grand Canyon Maps Including Free Available Online

Purchase Grand Canyon Maps
Purchase Grand Canyon Maps from quality online stores or the USGS

Grand Canyon Open Dates
When to go.

Create Your Own Grand Canyon Vacation Packages
Streamline Your Travel Planning with Grand Canyon Vacation Packages

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