The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park is an intriguing composition of desert geography encompassing one of the most extraordinary natural landmarks in North America. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and more than a mile deep. It formed as the Colorado River cut through the rocky plateau over many years, and the ground lifted up around the tremendous gorge that formed. Today, about 5 million visitors travel to the park to enjoy the spectacular panoramic vistas from the edge of the canyon.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon is by far the most visited area of the park. The North Rim is more desolate and harder to access, but it is slightly cooler due to its higher elevation. The South Rim and the famous Desert View Watchtower are open all year. The North Rim is open mid-May through mid-October. Driving around the canyon to each end takes about 5 hours. The hike across the Grand Canyon from rim to rim is 21 miles, but this is not recommended for a day hike, especially in the intense heat. Overnight trips at Grand Canyon National Park require a backcountry permit through the Park Service.

The majority of the park is the Sonoran Desert. The lower Sonoran extends from the inner Canyon at the Colorado River up 3,500 feet. This is where you'll find hanging gardens and rare flowering plants such as redbud trees and stream orchids. The Colorado River is a habitat for a lot of wildlife near the river including beavers and amphibians such as the canyon treefrog, red-spotted toad, and the rare Leopard frog. There are also squirrels, coyotes, and more than 45 types of reptiles in this region.

The Upper Sonoran Life Zone includes most of the inner canyon, reaching 7,000 feet up the canyon. Part of Grand Canyon National Park is considered the Mojave Desert, which supports countless desert plants such as cacti, the desert lily, Mojave sage, and prairie clover. The higher Kaibab Plateau has conifer forests where many animals including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and elk live. Toward the top of the canyon, you'll notice patches of pine forests. There are also many bird species inhabiting the park including the rare California Condor and the Bald Eagle.

There are great opportunities to tour the park with or without a guide. Air tours provide incredible views of the entire canyon and its amazing geology. Some businesses offer Jeep tours as another way to explore the terrain and observe the wilderness up close. The Colorado River rushes through the middle of the canyon, making whitewater rafting a very popular tourist activity and a great way for visitors to cool off. Scenic float trips down the river are another way to see enchanting views from deep inside the Grand Canyon. There are reputable businesses around the park providing these recreation services. The National Park Service also offers ranger programs, exhibits, and other tours of the area seasonally.