Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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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 Travel Tips

By 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 National Park

The Grand Canyon has been touted as the Eighth Wonder of the World ever since John Wesley Powell braved the raging whitewater in its depths in 1869. It's inarguably the most overexposed icon of the American landscape—every year, approximately five million people come to gawk into the abyss, and you have to wonder if the millions of rolls of film shot here through the generations might come close to filling the canyon from river to rim. Read More

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3 Questions | 3 Answers

is vegas better to stay &visit the canyon or are their other places in nevada
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Transportation Is there transportation to the S. Rim Grand CAnyon from Las Vegas. We will also b e traveling to Bryce Canyon as well. We are backpacking around the country and dont have a car.
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how far is the grand canyon from los vegas by car
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Photos

Photo Galleries

Grand Canyon Travel: River at Risk

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World's Best Resorts & Lodges

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

Expert Rated & Recommended

Grand Canyon Lodge

Best Resorts & Lodges

Bright Angel Point
Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ Map

Distance: 10.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Grand Canyon Hotels »

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Attractions

Rim Trail

South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 86023

Distance: 0.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This easy trail leads nine miles along the south rim of the canyon from Mather Point to Hermits... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Cape Royal Scenic Drive

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 most spectacular scenery and attain the highest... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Bright Angel Trail

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 graded of the rim-to-river trails. First used by... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Grand Canyon Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Grand Canyon

	Distance (mi.)
Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport	170.2 map
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport	181.3 map
Tucson International Airport	280.5 map

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

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Flight Deals to Grand Canyon

Originating	From
Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS)	$124
San Diego (SAN) to Las Vegas (LAS)	$124
San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS)	$126
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Las Vegas (LAS)	$142
San Jose (SJC) to Las Vegas (LAS)	$146

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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 - Bicycling/ Mountain Biking - Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
gorp

More Grand Canyon Active and Adventure Feature Articles (32) »

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Trip Ideas

Off the Beaten Path: Climb Granite Mountain
Best of Arizona
The Other Grand Canyon: Arizona's Havasu Canyon and the Seldom-Seen South Rim
Into the Guts of Canyonlands National Park
Mountain Biking Utah's White Rim Trail
Amara Creekside Resort
Sedona, Arizona

More (2) »

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

Grand Canyon Rafting - 3 days
Western River Expeditions
from $1065, 3 days
The awesome beauty of a Grand Canyon vacation continues in the lower 100 miles of the canyon, but the Colorado River's famous rapids, though still exciting, are a bit tamer and less challenging. ......
Grand Canyon & Sedona: High Desert Country
Austin Lehman Adventures
from $1798, 6 days
Climb Red Butte, or what the Havasupai Indians refer to as the sacred Wii'i Gdwiisa, "clenched fist mountain," for 360-degree views of Grand Canyon...
Grand Staircase: Wind & Water on the Colorado Plateau
O.A.R.S
from $4749, 12 days
Truly the most comprehensive exploration of the national parks of the Desert Southwest. In 12 days, we explore the scenic red rock mesas, spires,...
Grand Canyon Rafting - 6-7 days
Western River Expeditions
from $2295, 7 days
In the grandest canyon of the Colorado, experience the excitement, serenity, joy and enchanting beauty of the river as it transforms this divine chasm and those who venture down it. ......
Grand Canyon Rim-to-River-to-Rim
Timberline Adventures
from $1995, 6 days
If you've ever wondered whether we at Timberline ever lose any of our enthusiasm for adventure over the years, rest assured we never do. We're always...