Areas & Neighborhoods in Grand Canyon
With multiple access points, the Grand Canyon beckons with a region for every type of traveler. Open year-round, the South Rim is home to Grand Canyon Village and its myriad touristic treats, while the North Rim serves up spectacular views with a fraction of the foot traffic. Beyond the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon West is known for its cultural charms and glass-bottom Skywalk.
South Rim
The South Rim is the Grand Canyon's home base for adventure, boasting an assortment of hotels and restaurants in Grand Canyon Village as well as outfitters who specialize in helicopter flights, bike rentals, and day hikes. Sunset is a favorite moment at the South Rim, but the secluded Desert View region flashes gold at sunrise, making it an attractive location for early risers.
North Rim
Visited by only 10 percent of Grand Canyon tourists, the North Rim is the South Rim's unassuming older sibling, offering fabulous views without the fanfare. Following an easy trek to Bright Angel Point, sights of the Roaring Springs and Bright Angel Canyons abound, while a photography tour invites travelers to snap photos of the region with a sense of prowess.
Grand Canyon West
Operated by the Hualapai Native American Tribe, Grand Canyon West is a popular destination with visitors from Las Vegas who come to admire the scenery atop the cantilevered Skywalk at Eagle Point. Travelers often opt for combination tours that bundle helicopter, pontoon-boat, and air-conditioned-coach adventures with stops at Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch.
Things to See in the Grand Canyon
Beyond contemplating your existence while gazing into the middle distance, there are countless things to see in Grand Canyon National Park. The Yavapai Geological Museum provides shelter from the sun and a chance to see exhibits that document the canyon's geologic history while beholding the canyon in real time from the museum’s massive picture windows. The neighboring Hopi House lends insight into the history of the park and an opportunity to shop for Native American art, while the Lookout Studio contains another shop and a large telescope for ogling canyon walls.
Sightseeing in Grand Canyon
A Grand Canyon getaway isn’t complete without an awe-inspiring adventure (or three). With tours to appeal to every type of traveler, Grand Canyon National Park has endless things to do. For those who want to see the area from above, consider booking an airplane tour that soars above Kaibab National Forest, the North Rim’s highest point, and the Zuni Point Corridor. Or, for the ultimate aerial adventure, arrange a skydiving experience and fly tandem above the gorge with a professional. Likewise, you can experience the charms of the Colorado River during a leisurely cruise on the slow-moving waters around Glen Canyon Dam or score big-time thrills on a combination helicopter tour and whitewater rafting experience that guarantees excitement. Finally, as dusk settles on the desert, consider treating yourself to a guided 4x4 sunset tour, with the opportunity to spot Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and Merriam's turkeys while making your way along the canyon's edge at the prettiest time of the day.
