Covered in this story

• If You Only Have One Day/The Grand Canyon Railway
• If You're Not That Physically Active/Bus Tours
• The Grand Canyon By Helicopter
• Grand Canyon Mule Trips
• Hiking And Backpacking Into The Grand Canyon
• The Grand Canyon By Raft
• Exploring The Rim On Your Own/Grand Canyon Village Historic District
• Free Rangers Programs In The Grand Canyon National Park
• Where To Stay And What To Eat
• Grand Canyon Web Site Links

The Grand Canyon. It's beauty and majesty have inspired countless artists, photographers and even musicians. No matter how inspired the works of art, however, it just doesn't compare to actually experiencing the real thing.

The first glance at the Grand Canyon is awe inspiring. A child of about eight stood next to us and just kept repeating "Wow, wow, wow, wow". Even as his parents led him away towards the next vista, we could still hear his "wows" trailing behind him.

On second glance, you realize that, even though this is the "real thing" it still looks fake, much like a two dimensional mural. The thing is, it's difficult to get a true feeling for the canyon's size. You really need to see something that puts things into perspective. A helicopter flying over the canyon, that appears no larger than a speck of dust will do the trick. From the rim, it doesn't seem so far to get a quarter of the way down, until you spot a mule train in this area that looks like a trail of tiny ants.

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the canyon covers a land area of 1,904 square miles. There are many ways to experience the Grand Canyon, depending on the amount of time you have, the weather conditions and your level of physical ability. This article will cover several of the best options.

Grand Canyon Railway
One of the nicest ways to the see the Grand Canyon (especially if you have limited time) is to take the Grand Canyon Railway from the historic town of Williams, Arizona. Featuring turn of the century steam engines, 1950's diesel locomotives, authentically restored Harriman coach cars, a club car, dome car and luxury parlor car, the train covers 65 miles in about 2 1/4 hours, leaving passengers at the 1910 Grand Canyon Depot near the famous El Tovar Hotel on the canyon's South Rim.

Before the train departs, passengers are treated to live wild west entertainment, which continues while on board (the train has even been known to be held up by bandits). Coca-Cola in keepsake bottles are given to each passenger while on the journey and five grades of service are available, including hand delivered food and beverage service.

Once at the Canyon, you will have three and one half hours to explore on your own or take a bus tour (tour tickets are sold on the train) before the return trip to Williams. (Bus tours are covered in more detail later in this article).

If you're time is short, if you're a train buff, or both, The Grand Canyon Railway is an excellent way to get the most out of your visit. This is also an environmentally sensitive way to visit the canyon as it helps to cut down on traffic within the park. In fact, tourist riding the train save about 52,000 vehicles per year from entering the park.

There are train/hotel packages available as well as options to extend your time in the park. For more information or reservations call the Grand Canyon Railway at 1-800-THE TRAIN (US) or 520-773-1976. You can also visit their web site at www.thetrain.com.

Park Tours
There are a wide variety of tours available at the Grand Canyon offered by authorized National Park Service Concessionaires. Filled with many stops, the tours are a perfect way to see the most in the least amount of time. For more information or tour reservations call 303-29-PARKS.

The available tours are as follows:

Hermit's Rest Tour - A two-hour motorcoach tour that travels eight miles along the canyon's west rim to historic Hermit's Rest. There are stops at several spectacular viewpoints, ending at Hermit's Rest, a unique building of native stone created by famed architect Mary Jane Colter in 1914. The two hours tour gives a comprehensive glimpse into the natural and human history of the Grand Canyon and its geology.

The Desert View Tour - Covers 52 miles in 3 3/4 hours. Stops include the Yavapai Museum, Lipan Point (probably the most spectacular viewpoint of the canyon), and Desert View, an outpost twenty five miles from the Grand Canyon Village. Here you will find another of Mary Jane Colter's unique buildings, the Watchtower, a re-creation of the unusual towers erected by Southwest Indians.

The Sunset Tour - An orientation of the canyon while enjoying the sunset at Yaki or Mojave Point, the ninety minute tour includes the historic village area, the architecture of Mary Jane Colter, the contemporary history of man at the canyon , a brief stop at Yavapai Point then out to the rim for sunset.

The Grand Tour - A combination of any two of the above tours at a special price. The tours can be taken in any order or even on separate days.

Truly one of the most spectacular ways to experience the Grand Canyon is via helicopter. This bird's eye view will give you the opportunity to take some first class photos. It also offers a unique perspective of just how large the Grand Canyon is.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters pioneered the "flightseeing" industry over thirty years ago. Their state of the art equipment carries over 120,000 visitors over the Grand Canyon each year. The majestic vistas viewed from the seat of a helicopter are enough to put one into sensory overload. I can't recommend this experience highly enough.

For information or reservation on Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours call Papillon at 800-528-2418 (US and Canada) or 520-638-2419. Visit their web site at www.papillon.com. Papillon has several tour options to choose from:

The North Canyon Tour - This 25-30 minute tour gives you a front seat view of the canyon. You could spend an entire day on foot and not see a fraction of the sights you'll enjoy on this excursion.

The Imperial Tour - 40-45 minute tour combines the renowned beauty of the North Canyon tour with spectacular views of the Painted Desert, the Colorado River and the eastern canyon.

Havasupai Daytime/Overnight Excursions - These unique tours allow you to enter into the unique world of the Havasupai Indians. Located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, this village boast spectacular waterfalls and legendary views that are only found here. An optional Indian guided tour on horseback will take you to the foot of the waterfalls.

Mule trips are the first thing many people think of when talking about the Grand Canyon and as such, they are a VERY popular attraction. If you are interested in this activity, make reservation as soon as possible (trips in peak season are sold out as much as a year in advance!). If you don't have reservations, you can get on a cancellation waiting list. In winter, your chances are of getting a mule are good, but the lists in summer can be long. For reservations or more information call 520-303-29- PARKS.

A Crossbreed between a female horse and a male donkey, mules are characterized by endurance, gentleness and good temperament. For safety reasons riders must weigh less than 200 pounds (91K) dressed, including equipment, be at least 4'7 (1.38 meters) in height, fluent in English and you cannot be pregnant.

There are two mule trip options:

Day Trip to Plateau Point - Riders will spend about six hours in the saddle. Brief stops will be made every 30-35 minutes to rest the mules (although riders are not allowed to dismount). About 2 1/2 hours down the trail is Indian Gardens, a water and rest room stop. The trip then proceeds across the Tonto Plateau to Plateau Point, which offers a panoramic view of the Canyon and the Colorado River 1300 feet below. Lunch is provided on the return trip at Indian Gardens and the entire excursion takes about seven hours.

Overnight Trip to Phantom Ranch - (3 day 2 night trips are available in winter only) From the head of Bright Angel Trail, riders descend to Indian Gardens where they are served a box lunch, the go on to the Colorado Rivers and along the cliffs of the inner gorge. After crossing the suspension bridge, the ride proceeds up Bright Angel Canyon to Phantom Ranch. There the weary riders will find cabins furnished with bunk beds, sink, toilet, bedding, soap and towels. Showers are available. After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the return trip follows the south Kaibab Trail, which provides spectacular panoramic views. Riders will be returned by bus to Bright Angel Lodge early enough for lunch. The ride down takes about 5 1/2 hours and the ride back about 4 1/2 hours.

There are several safety considerations to keep in mind when hiking into the canyon. Each year rangers rescue hundreds of people who did not plan well. Don't be counted among their numbers. First of all, it will take about twice as long (or more) to hike up as it does to hike down, plan accordingly. Most inner canyon trails are STRENUOUS. Water should be taken on any hike lasting more than thirty minutes. The climate here is extremely dry and the lower you go, the hotter it gets. Hikers can lose one to two liters of water per hour. Take plenty of nutritious food in order to keep up your energy levels.

No permits are required for day hikes and you do not need to inform rangers of your plans. There are no loop trail for day hikes, you will be hiking the same terrain in both directions. Overnight camping below the rim requires special permit and fees. The main purpose of this is to control the number of people in one place at one time and to limit the environmental impact of such activities. For more information call the Back country Office at 520-638-7875.

Rafting the Grand Canyon
There are two ways to explore the Grand Canyon by raft: float trip or whitewater rafting. The Fred Harvey Company offers a twelve hour float trip which departs seasonally from the South Rim and includes stops along the East Rim and within the Navajo Indian Reservation en-route to Glen Canyon Dam. The trip takes you floating leisurely down the Colorado River, with a picnic style lunch along the river bank, then on to Lee Ferry where the motorcoach awaits for the drive back to the South Rim. For more information or reservations call 520-638-2631.

For the ultimate river trip, truly a trip of a lifetime, call OARS (Outdoor River Adventure Specialists) and ask about their Colorado River through the Grand Canyon trips. OARS has five, six, nine and thirteen day trip options through the Grand Canyon, which include side hikes, traveling through intricately carved grottos, some of the biggest waterfalls in the world, including the famous Lava Falls and lots of wildlife viewing opportunities. There's also Indian ruins, wonderful swimming holes and excellent beach camping. For more information or reservationc call OARS at 209-736-4677 or visit their web site.

Hiking the Grand Canyon
While hiking into the canyon is extremely strenuous, the rim trails provide a good alternative for those not up to such a challenge, or for those with children. The rim trails are well marked and stop at many wonderful vantage points along the way. These vantage points are also accessible by car and/or free shuttle buses operated by the park service.

West Rim Scenic Drive (or hike) - eight miles one way. This route is closed to private vehicles in summer, but the park service operates a free shuttle that stops at key vista points. A good way to experience the west rim is to hike the trail one way, and the shuttle bus back.

East Rim Scenic Drive - twenty five miles one way. This trail is accessible by private vehicle or tour bus. Along the way are many more spectacular vistas, including Lipan Point . If you were only going to stop at one scenic overlook, Lipan Point is a good choice. The views are beyond awe inspiring and include the Colorado River as it snakes through the canyon.

The East Rim Trail ends at Desert View, home of the Watchtower. Built in 1932 by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, this a prime example of southwestern architect Mary Jane Colter's work. While not a direct copy of any particular Indian building, the Watchtower is a re-creation of the prehistoric towers found scattered throughout the Southwest. Inside, visitors will find examples of Native American art, a Kiva or Sacred Ceremonial Chamber, and an observatory that provides magnificent views of the surrounding country. The tower top at 7,522 feet above sea level is the highest point on the south rim.

Grand Canyon Village Historic District
A great starting point for any Grand Canyon visit, the Village dates back to 1905. The Fred Harvey Company built most of the historic buildings in the village including the famed El Tovar Hotel, one of the first hotels to be built in a National Park. Many of the building were designed by famed southwestern architect Mary Jane Colter, including the Hopi House (now a gift shop and art gallery), Bright Angel Lodge, and Lookout Studio.

Verkamps Curios, built in 1906, is the canyon's oldest continually operating store and Kolb Studio, built in 1904 by photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb has now re-opened with exhibits about the Kolbs and a book shop. The village is also the stop for the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which leaves daily from Williams, Arizona.

The National Park Services offers a wide variety of free ranger programs to enhance your stay at the Grand Canyon. Some of these programs include guided hikes into the canyon and rim walks, a fossil walk, geology talks and daily special lectures and evening programs about the canyon's culture and natural history. Check in at the Visitors Center to see what's available during your stay. Children aged 4-14 can also become "junior rangers" by completing activities outlined in the Junior Rangers tabloid (available at the visitors center or the Tusayan Museum). Kids will receive a special certificate with their name on it.

One of the nicest places to stay is just outside the Grand Canyon National Park in Tusayan, Arizona. Minutes from the South Rim, the Grand Canyon Squire Inn is part of the Best Western chain and is the only resort hotel in the area. Each room offers enhanced amenities and southwestern decor. The hotel has convention facilities and meeting space for up to 250 people. In addition to a heated pool, you can also relax and get the hiking kinks out of your body in the inn's hot tub or sauna. Additional spa type services available are a beauty salon with hair stylist, manicurist and massage therapist on duty and a tanning booth. The exercise room will fill in any fitness gaps that hiking the canyon doesn't take care of.

The kids will be glad you picked the Grand Canyon Squire Inn as well. The basement contain an extensive game room which includes a video arcade, billiards, air hockey and even a bowling alley! There's lots of great food at the Squire Inn as well. Casual snacks and sandwiches are available in the downstairs sports bar and the Canyon Coffee Shop. A lavish luncheon buffet is available from May through September. The Coronado Dining Room is known for their prime rib and southwestern favorites. Be sure to try their guacamole appetizer, it's some of the best I've ever had! The Coronado Room also has a wonderful breakfast buffet to get your day going.

For more information or reservations call The Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn at 520-638-2681 or visit their website at www.grandcanyonsquire.com.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges - The south rim is also home to eight hotels, lodges and campgrounds within the park (one, Phantom Ranch, is even located deep inside the canyon). Of the hotels in the park the El Tovar Hotel is certainly the most elegant, albeit rustic. The historic El Tovar is also home to the only truly fine dining restaurant on the South Rim. Make reservations early, this restaurant is very popular! Other dining options include the Arizona Steakhouse and the Bright Angel Coffee Shop as well as various snack stops and cafeterias.

For reservations or information contact your travel agent or call 303-29-PARKS.

• The Official Grand Canyon National Park Service Home Page
• Grand Canyon Backcountry
• Grand Canyon Trip Planner