Whether you’re living in or around Flagstaff, Arizona, or just visiting the area, a trip to the Grand Canyon should be high on your list of things to do. Grand Canyon National Park is only an hour and thirty minutes north of Flagstaff and offers so many things to see and do that are fun for the whole family. Here are some tips to help you plan your next day trip to the Grand Canyon.
Best Months of the Year to Visit the Grand Canyon
If you’re a local, you want to avoid the crowds, so planning your trip in the spring or fall will help you avoid the summer vacation people flocking to this wondrous site. March until May offers the best weather in springtime, as does September through November.
Typically the temperatures range in the 70-degree range during these months. Schools are still in session, and out-of-state travelers are still out of state. Traffic, parking, and the general crowd of people is much lighter during these times.
It’s still OK to travel there in the summer. Nevertheless, in addition to the congestion of tourists, you should plan on extreme temperatures, especially if you’re planning on hiking into the canyon. Summer highs can climb over 100 degrees.
The South Rim
The South Rim is the obvious choice as it is open year-round. It also offers the best views. If you’re going to spend the day, you should plan on getting there early enough to see the sun rise over the canyon. Mather Point is the preferred spot to see the sunrise, but surrounding lookouts will give you great views too.
If you plan on hiking, you should check out the Trail of Time. This section of the canyon is located between Verkamp’s Visitor Center and Yavapai Point. It will take you through a geological tour of the canyon’s creation that is both beautiful and informative.
Desert View Watch Tower
The Desert View Watch Tower is one of the more fantastic man-made structures you’ll see at the Grand Canyon. It’s located at the eastern edge of the canyon and offers spectacular views of the canyon and the Colorado River.
Grand Canyon Nights
If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon after dark, you need to plan to do so on your next visit. The vast night sky sparkles with the light of thousands of stars. Contact the Park Rangers for details on stargazing activities. This is perhaps the best way to end a day visiting the Grand Canyon.
Mule Trips
Riding a mule through the canyon is one of the most adventurous ways to explore this vast natural wonder. You can book a trip along the rim or one that ventures down into the canyon. They also offer overnight rides. Book early if this is something you want to do as these excursions typically fill up months in advance.
There are so many things to see and do at the Grand Canyon. Living local gives you the flexibility to venture out whenever the mood strikes you. So when you feel like going, be sure to plan your trip with these tips in mind.
Image courtesy of Flickr.com
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