Know Your Destination
Step1
View a national treasure. The South Rim area of the Grand Canyon is the most accessible part of the canyon and is open all year. Overlooks at Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest and Desert View allow motorists in Arizona to pull over and enjoy the view.
Step2
Catch your breath. The South Rim averages 7,000 feet above sea level, while the North Rim is about 8,000 feet high. People with respiratory or heart problems should be particularly careful, because any kind of walking at high altitude can be stressful.
Step3
Learn about the Grand Canyon, which has been continuously occupied for more than 12,000 years. Archaeologists found human artifacts in the canyon that date to the Paleo-Indian period. The canyon has been protected by the federal government since 1893, though it did not become a National Park until 1919.
Get From Place to Place in Grand Canyon
Step1
Catch a ride. Getting around the Grand Canyon can be challenging because of its massive size, but buses and shuttles make it easier. Buses run routes from rim to rim and to points in between.
Step2
Get to your destination by taxi if you like. Twenty-four-hour daily service is available to trailheads, to the Grand Canyon Airport and to other destinations within the park.
Step3
Understand that while it is possible to fly to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, it isn't easy. Connecting flights are available from several cities, including Las Vegas, Nevada, and Deer Valley, Arizona.
Choose Your hotel in Grand Canyon
Step1
To book a hotel room, contact Grand Canyon Visitors Bureau at (888) 472-2696 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).
Step2
Book a hotel room inside the park to be surrounded by the canyon. Lodges in the park vary in amenities and in price. Expect to pay $52 to $304 per night.
Step3
Camp within the park for as little as $12 per night. Since you'll be staying in a national park, there are certain restrictions on what can be used and done at the campsite.
Step4
Book a room just seven miles from the South Rim in Tusayan, Arizona, if you'd like to stay outside the park. Various hotels are available, including luxury and mid-level lodging.