Grand Canyon - Activities and Entertainment

One of the main activities in the Grand Canyon is sightseeing of course. The best sights can be found on the South rim of the Canyon, which is easier to reach than the North rim.

Hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting and running are other activities popular to the Grand Canyon. The bottom of the valley can be explored by foot, mule back, horse back, or by boat and raft from upriver. You can ride a bike, but that is only allowed on the park roads.

In case hiking is right up your alley then keep in mind to plan a hiking trip for at least two days. Most hikers like to go from rim to rim, but the distance, treacherous steep and rocky trails, change in elevation, and danger of heat exhaustion (the temperatures are much higher at the bottom) have led to many hikers having to be rescued.

There are several river trips which can be made; some are commercial and some non commercial. Be sure to inquire if you need a permit and do so long before you make the trip; preferably inquire and apply a year ahead!

The Coconino Canyon Train, as well as helicopter and plane tours, is a pleasurable way of getting a good view of the Canyon for those who are not up to walking.

Another spectacular view can be found just outside the park boundaries in the Grand Canyon West in the Indian reservation of the Hualapai Tribe, who have opened the glass-bottomed Grand Canyon Skywalk recently.

Many historic sites can be found and visited on the South rim. Most are located at Grand Canyon Village and several educational tours, classes and trips, are scheduled by the Grand Canyon Field Institute.

One thing I found while doing some research on the activities and entertainment: if you plan on vacationing at the Grand Canyon, make reservations and apply for permits way ahead of time! I would recommend you start doing all that a year before you plan on going. It will save you some disappointment.