Most people in the world have seen images in print or film of America's Grand Canyon. The first recorded discovery of the Grand Canyon by a westerner was in the mid-1500s by a Spaniard in Coronado's expedition of the Southwest. Since then, people have been awed at the sight of this natural wonder. The area was made a National Monument in 1908 and became a National Park some 11 years later in 1919. Currently the park covers approximately 2,000 square miles and contains nearly nearly 300 miles of the Colorado River in the depths of the chasm.
Activities at the Grand Canyon are too numerous to list in detail, but they range from short walks or bus tours along the South Rim Trail, helicopter and airplane tours of the Canyon, and descents into the depths of the chasm by foot, mule or via the Colorado River with one of many rafting companies.
Eats:
Grand Canyon Lodges ΓÇó On the South Rim, the following Lodges are run for the National Park Service and offer all types of meal choices from snacks, to cafeteria style food, to expensive sit down breakfasts, lunches and dinners: El Tovar Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Kachina Lodge, and the Maswik Lodge. All are located on the South Rim approximately one hour north of Williams. Reservations and information for all Lodges, North and South, can be obtained from, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, P.O. 490, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, tel# 602-638-2631, fax: 602-638-9247
Sleeps:
Grand Canyon Lodges ΓÇó See the above information for all lodging opportunities on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Kaibab Lodge ΓÇó Located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, this lodge is accessible from Flagstaff via Route 89. The North Rim is more than a three hour drive from Flagstaff, but those who drive this beautiful route will be rewarded with crowds, one-tenth the size of those on the South Rim. If you want to get away and spend some quiet time along the Canyon, think seriously about heading up to the North Rim. Keep in mind though that while the South Rim is open year-round, the North Rim is closed during the winter. Reservations and information for all Lodges can be obtained by calling, tel# 801-586-7686
Sites:
Grand Canyon Tours ΓÇó Information regarding tours of the Grand Canyon can be obtained by calling tel# 602-638-2401, fax: 602-638-9247
