Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park Overview

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world’s most precious and renowned natural treasures. It includes 1,904 square miles, encompassing the desert climate of the inner canyon, the still eroding walls up to the rim, and the forests on the North and South Rims. The (Grand) Canon itself is a giant chasm cutting a vertical mile deep into a low mountainous region call the Kaibab Plateau. Both the Colorado River and erosion formed the canyon over the past six million years. Today, the Colorado River flows some 277 river miles through Grand Canyon National Park.

South Rim

The South Rim attracts the majority of visitors to the Grand Canyon and is open year round. The South Rim has a variety of lodging and food services. Lodging includes hotels, cabins and campgrounds. There’s also a ranger station, visitor center, museums, art exhibits, gift shots, several hiking trails, ranger programs, shuttle bus services, grocery store, gas station, mule trips and other tours. River rafting trips can also be arranged with various commercial outfitters.

North Rim

The North Rim is usually open mid May through November (depending on the weather) and attracts about 10% of the total visitors to the park. Overnight accommodations include the North Rim Lodge and campground. There’s also a restaurant, cafe, gift shop, visitor center and gas station. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and the ranger-led programs. Although the North rim is just 10 miles from the South Rim (as the crow flies), it’s 215 miles by road (or about 5 hours to drive).

Entrances To Park

There are 2 entraps to the South Rim including the South Entrance on U.S. Hwy 180/AZ Hwy. 64 coming from Flagstaff or Willams, and the East Entrance on AZ Hwy. 64 coming from Cameron. The North Rim Entrance can be reached from Bitter Springs, AZ, by taking Highway 89 Alt west to Jacob Lake, AZ; then take Highway 67 south to the North Rim.

Grand Canyon Campgrounds

Campers will find excellent designated areas for both vehicle camping and backpacking. Reservations are required for backcountry campgrounds and also highly recommended for Mather and North Rim campgrounds.

Mather Campground
Located 1 miles south of the Visitor Center, this is the most popular of the South Rim Campgrounds. The large campground has 327 campsites, drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers ($) and a laundry.

Desert View Campground
Located 23 miles east of the South Rim Visitor Center, the campground is first-come, first-served and is open mid May to early October. There are 50 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs.

Indian Garden
This backcountry campground is located 4.6 miles from the South Rim Bright Angel trailhead and 3,100 feet below the rim. The campground is open all year and has water, vault toilets and a ranger station. Backcountry permits/reservations required.

Bright Angel
This backcountry campground is located 9.3 miles beyond the Bright Angel trailhead at the bottom of the canyon and next to the Colorado River. There are 33 campsites and backcountry permits/reservations are required. The campground has a ranger station, drinking water and flush toilets.

Cottonwood
This backcountry campground is 16.6 miles from the South Rim Bright Angel trailhead on the North Kaibab Trail. It is the last camp in the canyon before you ascend to the North Rim. The campground is open May 1 through October and backcountry permits/reservations are required.

North Rim
Located within a mile of the North Rim Visitor Center, North Rim campground is open mid May through October and has 90 mixed-use campsites. The campground has water, flush toilets, hot showers ($), a laundry and dump station.