Grand Canyon & Williams

Most visitors to the Grand Canyon travel in the summer months and marvel at it’s grandness from the South Rim. There are however many ways to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Canyon – take a helicopter flight from Grand Canyon Airport over the Canyon for the best aerial views; if you’re feeling energetic, take a guided hike down Bright Angel Trail or just wander as far as you wish on your own…but remember to wear the correct walking attire and have plenty of drinking water with you. For the more adventurous you can take either a 3 hour or an overnight mule trip. If you have more time, the best way to see the Grand Canyon is from the Colorado River so why not try a white water rafting experience. There are numerous trips each year, ranging from 3 days, departing from either Lees Ferry (near Lake Powell) or Phantom Ranch (at the foot of Bright Angel Trail) however they are very popular so you should plan at least a year ahead but it’s worth the wait! It’s an experience you will never forget.

Drive the Roads – While the Historic Village is the epicenter of activity, Grand Canyon stretches far beyond that. For mile after mile of unfolding views, get in your car (or RV or motorcycle) and head east where you’ll soon discover even more of the park at places like the Yavapai Geology Museum at Yavapai Point where you should take in a view from the broad bay window. Don’t miss the Discovery Channel film, A Journey of Wonder, presented at the Visitor Center, followed by the historic Tusayan Museum and ruins, which include the remnants of homes and kivas created by Puebloan Indians 800 years ago. Roughly 25 miles from the Historic Village, Mary Colter’s 1932 masterpiece — the Watchtower at Desert View — gives you a heightened awareness of Grand Canyon’s majesty when viewed from the top of this classic 70-foot-high observation tower.

Saddle Up – While hiking into the canyon is an authentic experience, riding a mule into the canyon may be easier, but not a snap. One of the canyon’s most recognized images, mules have been carrying visitors in and out of Grand Canyon for well over a century. It’s such a popular activity that reservations can be booked 13 months in advance — and the spaces fill up fast. While a waiting list is available at the Bright Angel Tour desk for day-before cancellations, those chances are slim. Note that the weight limit is 200 pounds, and riders must be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, fluent in English, comfortable with heights, and unafraid of large animals.

Two-Wheel It – Bicycling is another fun way to get around. Chances are you won’t arrive with a bicycle in tow, which is where Bright Angel Bicycles can help — at least between March 15 and Oct. 31. You can ride along the Rim Trail, on the roadway, and the Greenway, which is a 6.5-mile trail between the town of Tusayan and the South Rim Visitor Center. Keep in mind the elevation here averages 7,000 feet, so it can be a challenge for guests with respiratory or heart problems.

Study Ancient Human History – Drive east along the South Rim to the Tusayan Ruins and you can teach your kids about the human story connected with the canyon. An excavated village includes the remnants of shelters and meeting houses Ancestral Puebloans used for religious rituals and political meetings. These tribes had established dozens of communities in the area, one of which was at the Grand Canyon. You can connect your kids to history by asking them to imagine how those people lived — where did they get their water? How did they dress? What did children their age do for entertainment? For the answers, visit the small museum here where the answers are found in exhibits that showcase tools, jewelry, art, and artifacts unearthed at this spot.

Ride a Mule – Riders will have to be at least 4 feet 9 inches to participate in one of the most popular activities for kids (and adults); the Canyon Vista Mule Ride. Tell your kids you’re going to take them for a ride on a ‘long-eared taxi’. They’ll fall in love with the gentle mules, and it gives them a perfect opportunity to see Grand Canyon from a new perspective. Along the way, they’ll learn a little about geology, nature, the outdoors, and how to behave around large animals. This is a signature Grand Canyon experience.

Get Wowed by the Sunrise – Even if it’s not a school day, your kids will want to get up early to witness one of the most beautiful sights in America. Sunrise at Grand Canyon is a wonderful experience for families to share. It’s worth it to get up before daybreak to see the canyon change colors with the changing light. It is something you and your family will remember forever.