Grand Canyon Vacation

Five million years old, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, the Colorado River's deep canyon covers 1,904 square miles. Five million people take a Grand Canyon vacation every year.

Allow at least two days for your Grand Canyon vacation. Remember, you might never return, and if you try to see it in a single day, you'll end up with blurs instead of vivid Grand Canyon vacation memories.

See It Now: Photo Tour

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Saving Money on Your Grand Canyon Vacation

Use these tips to help reduce the cost of your Grand Canyon vacation:

• With the exception of the cafeterias at Yavapai and Maswik Lodges, food can be quite expensive. Make easy breakfasts and lunches from items purchased at a grocery store, and stock up on groceries in Flagstaff or Williams where they are less expensive.
• If you are visiting more than one national park during your trip, and expect to spend more than $50 in entry fees, buy an unlimited National Park Pass.
• Going camping for your Grand Canyon vacation is cheaper than staying hotels. The least expensive camping for your Grand Canyon vacation is in the Kaibab National Forest, where camping is free (albeit lacking in amenities).
• Take advantage of ranger-led hikes and interpretive programs instead of paying a tour company.

The Lay of the Land

It helps if you understand the geography before you take your Grand Canyon vacation. The park follows the path of the Colorado River through northwest Arizona. There are two major entry points, one on each rim, north and south. The South Rim is the the one people think of first when they think of a Grand Canyon vacation. It's more famous, easily accessible and crowded in summer. The North Rim is closed by snow in winter, and is much less crowded any time of year that it's open. I prefer this rim for a Grand Canyon vacation for its views and peacefulness.

The canyon's extreme depth and size falsely give the impression that its rim is at sea level, with the river running far below. While the river is indeed far below, over 4,000 feet below the South Rim, it is nevertheless at 2,480 feet above sea level. The rims are both over a mile high, higher than Denver, Colorado, and the weather varies greatly from rim to river, and rim to rim.