Travel Tips: Visit the Grand Canyon

By Mara Miller

The Grand Canyon is a great place to visit if you’re searching for travel tips! Located primarily in Arizona, it also borders Utah and Nevada. The canyon itself is 227 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep. It has been the home to Native Americans for 10,000 years and has a rich archaeological history. Today, it is a national park with hiking, mule rides, river tours, and bicycling.

There’s a lot to do if you’re going to visit the Grand Canyon! Follow these travel tips as you plan your trip:

1. Mule Rides: If you’re comfortable with riding a mule and want to experience the Grand Canyon’s beauty. Keep in mind that if you want to go on a mule ride you must book your trip 15 months in advance (so start planning early!). There is a waiting list but it is not guaranteed that you’ll get to go on a mule ride if someone else cancels their trip. There are specific mule ride restrictions depending on which rim you decide to go to so be sure to check that before you make reservations.

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2. Day Hiking: Hiking The Grand Canyon is an option if riding a mule doesn’t seem appealing because of the long wait. If you’re a more experienced hiker and want to go down farther into the canyon for a night stay you may need a backcountry permit, but a day hike does not have the same requirements. It’s recommended that you keep plenty of water on you. It’s a great way to take in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the canyon, though!

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3. River Trips: You can get on a raft and take a guided tour on the river for one day up to twenty-one days depending on the tour that you choose. You may need a river permit depending on the type of trip and how many days you will be on the river. If it’s for more than a day then you may need to apply for a river permit a year in advance.

4. Bicycling: The trail is one of the best parts in the canyon for cycling. You can bring your own bike or rent a bike to take a ride on the Hermit Road Greenway Trail. It follows the canyon rim for seven miles although beware that there are some places where it crosses the main road. Bikes must obey all traffic laws in Arizona.

Are we missing anything you can do at Grand Canyon? Let us know in the comments below!