Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Grand Canyon

Active and Adventure Destinations In or Near Grand Canyon

Travel Guides In or Near Grand Canyon

Southwest Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations

Aerial view of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park (John Wang/Photodisc/Getty)

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Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Bill Weir

  • Hiking conditions can come as a surprise for newcomers, even hikers who have a lot of experience in other parts of the world. The maintained corridor trails—Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North Kaibab—are recommended for first-time hikers.
  • To raft the Colorado on your own, at least one member of the group must have the experience and skills required by the Park Service. If you've got the know-how, check the park's website for details on obtaining a non-commercial permit.
  • The North Kaibab Trail cannot be beat for variety, interesting side trips, and spectacular scenery. It takes you from alpine forests of the North Rim at 8,250 feet to desert riparian vegetation along the Colorado River at 2,480 feet.
  • On a road bike, you can not only hear the birds and enjoy an unobstructed view, but you can explore the roads that are closed to private vehicles. Plus, you won't have to worry about finding a parking spot.

    Grand Canyon Overview

    Years ago, upon completing a hike in the Grand Canyon, I stood at the rim, gazing one last time at the colors below, and vowed right then to inform everyone I knew how lucky they were to be alive. My good intentions lasted for only a day, but it was an unforgettable one, and when it was over I realized that the canyon had moved me the way religion moves fervent believers. At the time I wasn't sure why. Only after I began work on this guide did I begin to understand all those things that, for me, make the canyon not just a beautiful place, but a sacred one as well. Read More

    Photos

    Photo Galleries

    Hotels

    Bright Angel Lodge

    Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C., PO Box 699
    Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 Map

    Distance: 0.8 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
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    4.0

    Grand Canyon Lodge

    Bright Angel Point
    Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ Map

    Distance: 11.5 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
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    5.0
    from: $100

    Quality Inn & Suites Canyon Plaza

    SR 64 In Tusayan
    Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 Map

    Distance: 0.9 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: 3 class stars

    expert favorite hotel Traveler Rating
    3.8 out of 5
    3.8 out of 5
    17 reviews
    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5.0
    All Grand Canyon Hotels »
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    Attractions

    Cape Royal Scenic Drive

    expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
    Not Yet Rated
    Grand Canyon North Rim
    Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
    Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

    Distance: 11.2 mi. (from destination center)

    Description: On this drive you'll see some of the North Rim's... Read More
    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0
    5_0

    Bright Angel Trail

    expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
    Not Yet Rated
    Grand Canyon South Rim
    Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
    Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

    Distance: 1.2 mi. (from destination center)

    Description:

    The Bright Angel is the most popular and well... Read More

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0

    Point Sublime

    expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
    Not Yet Rated
    west of Bright Angel Point
    Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
    Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

    Distance: 5.0 mi. (from destination center)

    Description:

    Point Sublime extends far out into the Grand... Read More

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0
    All Grand Canyon Attractions »

    Airports

    Major Airports near Grand Canyon

    Distance (mi.)
    Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport 170.2 map Flight Deals to LAS
    Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 181.3 map Flight Deals to PHX
    Tucson International Airport 280.5 map Flight Deals to TUS

    Other Smaller Airports near Grand Canyon

    Distance (mi.)
    Grand Canyon National Park Airport 7.4 map
    Grand Canyon Pulliam Field 68.4 map
    Saint George Municipal Airport 108.6 map

    Flight Deals to Grand Canyon

    Originating From
    Salt Lake City (SLC) to Las Vegas (LAS) $125
    San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS) $145
    Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS) $145
    Denver (DEN) to Las Vegas (LAS) $169
    Tucson (TUS) to Las Vegas (LAS) $186

    Feature Articles

    • They Call Me Groover Boy
      outside
      But it isn't because of my dance moves. My life at the helm of a Colorado River latrine raft.
    • Wake Them Up With a Splash
      outside
      How to bring the world's freshwater woes into focus? Try 3-D. On one of the most ambitious Imax projects to date, 44 river warriors including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Wade Davis go sloshing down the Grand Canyon—and try not to drop the million-dollar cameras into the drink.
    • Kayak the Grand
      outside
    • Ain't it Just Grand
      outside
      Climb aboard for the ultimate ride with the ultimate boat buddy: Martin Litton, the Colorado River legend and conservation warrior who, as much as any other single person, shaped the Grand Canyon float trip into an American classic
    • GORP - Day Hiking - Grand Canyon National Park
      gorp
    More Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Feature Articles (51) »
    See All Feature Articles on Grand Canyon »

    Trip Ideas

    GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

    See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »

    Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Travel Guides

    Hiking and Backpacking: Paddling:
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