Pulling visitors in from all over the world, the spectacular sight of the Grand Canyon is hard to beat. Formed over millions of years by the Colorado River, the mighty Grand Canyon is an unbeatable combination of raw natural beauty, desert wilderness and unforgettable sunsets. Located 365 kilometres out of Las Vegas, this is a manageable overnight excursion for most visitors to the city.
Start your trip at the canyon’s south rim, which is easily accessible and home to much of the main infrastructure of the Grand Canyon National Park. Here, you’ll find the Canyon View Information Plaza and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and brochures, and learn more about the park’s history, wildlife and geology. The park entrance fee includes the shuttle bus which will take you to various other vantage points and museums around the south rim.
You would be forgiven for wanting to stay at the top of the canyon to enjoy the fantastic views, but it’s worth signing up to trek below the rim. A canyon hike will get you up close and personal with the awesome power of the Colorado River, which eroded the surrounding rock over millions of years to eventually form the Grand Canyon as you see it today.
If you want to treat yourself to something really special, you can charter a helicopter over the south rim or the less-visited north and west rims. Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring your camera – from the helicopter, the size, terrain and scope of the Grand Canyon can be fully appreciated, and if you visit in the afternoon and evening, you can watch the colours change and gradually fade as the sun sets.
In order to get the most out of your trip, consider spending the night so that you have two days at the Canyon. There is everything from comfortable hotels to lodges, cabins and campsites within and near the national park. If you don’t want to take a car, you can join a bus or helicopter tour from Las Vegas.
