Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the United States' most recognizable natural landmarks -- a mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River, exposing nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history in its layered walls. The park covers more than 1.2 million acres, most of it high desert broken by pockets of forest, with the river running the length of the canyon floor far below.

The canyon received federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve, became a National Monument under Theodore Roosevelt, and was designated a National Park in 1919. Erosion continues to shape it today -- the canyon a visitor sees now is, in a small but real sense, never quite the one seen on an earlier visit.

Heat and dehydration are a real, serious risk at the Grand Canyon, not just an inconvenience -- most rescues happen not on the way down into the canyon, but on the strenuous hike back up in rising heat, and rangers specifically advise against attempting a rim-to-river-and-back hike in a single day during the warmer months.

The free shuttle bus system on the South Rim exists specifically to reduce private vehicle traffic and crowding at the most popular viewpoints -- using it, rather than driving and parking at each stop, eases pressure on a road network that was never built for its current visitor volume.

The canyon holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni peoples, among others, whose connection to the region predates the park by thousands of years -- a fact worth keeping in mind rather than treating the canyon as simply an empty scenic backdrop.

Standard Leave No Trace principles apply throughout the park -- pack out all trash, stay on marked trails to limit erosion on already-fragile desert terrain, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.

When visiting the Grand Canyon, there's a wide range of ways to experience it. Numerous hiking trails wind along the rim with sweeping views, while others descend into the canyon itself -- some reaching all the way to the bottom, a hike long enough that it typically requires an overnight stay partway down.

For those who'd rather not hike, mule excursions into the lower canyon are available, and several distinctive lodges sit within the park itself for visitors who want to experience the canyon without descending into it.

Most visitors arrive by car or bus and pay a per-vehicle entrance fee (rates change periodically -- check the National Park Service site for the current amount). The nearby town of Williams also runs a heritage steam train directly into the park, a scenic alternative to driving in.

Lodges inside the park fill up quickly and require advance reservations; campgrounds are available along both the North and South Rims, though without hookups. The Canyon Village Marketplace covers groceries and basic supplies, several full-service restaurants operate near Bright Angel Lodge, and the Phantom Ranch Canteen, at the canyon's bottom, serves meals to hikers by advance reservation only.