Romancing the Canyon

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great way to gain a first impression of the canyon before deciding on a good day hike.

Description:

The Rim Trail on the South Rim is one of the most popular things to do for visitors just arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. It's easy to see why: this path is easy on the soles and represents a great introduction to the panoramic wonders of the park. The path follows the South Rim westward from Yavapai to Hermits Rest, and is paved and fairly level for the first few miles, making this one of the park's best wheelchair accessible trails. The canyon will unfold as you move west, and once you manage to pry your eyes away from the canyon below, you'll notice you are surrounded by ponderosa and pinyon pines, shrub oaks, and chipmunks and squirrels playing in the woodland. To get here, leave your car at the visitor center and take the free shuttle to Yavapai Point. You can return to the visitor center from several points along the trail, making it easy to customize your schedule from here.

Our Local Expert Says:

In addition to food and a fun, gimmicky atmosphere, the nightly entertainment ranges from Native American dancing to singing cowboys.

Description:

Hop up onto one of the barstools and you will be sitting on a saddle actually used to ride into the canyon. Enjoy a cocktail, or settle in for a hearty breakfast, Western-style lunch or sizzling steak dinner. Native American dancers perform most evenings during dinner, year round, at no extra charge. Steaks and barbecue are the specialties of the house. The dark wood decor and soaring ceilings give this restaurant the hunting lodge ambiance typical of Grand Canyon restaurants and hotels.

Our Local Expert Says:

Enter the Hualapai reservation and peer into the Grand Canyon on a glass bottom bridge, the mighty Colorado River thrashes over 4,000 feet below.

Description:

Literally "walk the sky" at this glass bridge (which is more like a glass peninsula) that dangles over the edge of the canyon like a giant, clear diving board. Experience the canyon like a soaring eagle: 4,000 feet above the Colorado River, the Skywalk opened in 2007 and is owned and operated by the Hualapaii Tribe. The fee is $30 per person and no personal belongings, including cameras, are allowed on the bridge. This is to prevent items from falling into the canyon or onto the glass. From the South Rim, head south on AZ-64 for 56 miles. Then go west on I-40 to Kingman for 116 miles. Then head north on Stockton Hill Road for 42 miles and turn right (North) on to Pierce Ferry Road. After 7 miles, turn right (east) onto Diamond Bar Road. After 21 miles, the signs will be obvious. South on US-93 toward Phoenix 32 miles Go over Hoover Dam and continue South on US-93 40 miles Left turn (North) on to Pierce Ferry Road 28 miles Right turn (East) on to Diamond Bar Road 21 miles **Diamond Bar Road will end at the only entrance to Grand Canyon West, which is the Grand Canyon West Airport.

Description:

Bright Angel Restaurant, located at Bright Angel Lodge, is a full-service dining room on the South Rim. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus favor hearty Southwestern dishes, perfect to fuel up for a full day of hiking and sightseeing. Also on site are the Bright Angel Fountain, a snack bar and ice cream fountain, The Bright Angel Bar and Lounge, and the Canyon Coffee House, offering a full coffee menu and a selection of continental breakfast items. The Restaurant and Bar are open year-round, while the Bright Angel Fountain and Canyon Coffee House maintain seasonal hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Desert View Watchtower is must-see for its spectacular views, easy accessibility, and rich artistic qualities.

Description:

This easily accessible landmark was constructed in 1932 as replica of a prehistoric Indian tower. Each stone was handpicked, ensuring a solid structure as well as an aesthetically appealing design. This seventy-foot tower is the highest point on the South Rim and offers visitors a magnificent view of the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, and the to the south, the mighty San Francisco Peaks. This place is very popular in the summer, but nearly vacant during colder months. The interior walls of the tower feature murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. The Desert View Watchtower can be found on the easternmost end of the South Rim.

Description:

The hotel's fine dining venue features Southwestern-inspired dishes as well as classic European cuisine. Menu highlights include escargot and oysters on the half shell; a steak and lobster combination; slow-cooked, aged prime rib and broiled, double-cut lamb chops. Foreign language and children's menus are offered. Native American touches give this dining room a Western appeal. A full-service piano bar with a crackling fireplace is a great place to snuggle on a chilly evening.

Description:

Yavapai Lodge is the largest facility in Grand Canyon National Park. It is is surrounded by pinyon and juniper woodlands, and is a half mile from the rim. It offers many services within a few steps, and is a convenient choice for families.

Description:

The awesome, dramatic visual of the Grand Canyon has inspired more than one writer to liken the majestic canyon to an abyss. It is no wonder why one observation point along the West Rim Drive earned the name The Abyss. From this point, it is a dramatic 3,000-foot drop off that plunges to the plateau below. Access to this point is via the trail system linking the outlooks along West Rim Drive and by shuttle in the summer months.

Description:

Taking "the road less traveled" CAN make all the difference, especially if you are camping the backcountry of Arizona's Grand Canyon. Pitch a tent at Crazy Jug Point and feast your eyes on sweeping panoramic views of Grand Canyon National Park, including Fishtail Mesa, Steamboat Mountain and Tapeats Amphitheater. Travelers can obtain overnight backcountry permits, maps, and more at the North Rim Ranger Station, located one mile north of Grand Canyon Lodge along AZ 67. Reservations are recommended.

Description:

Approximately mid-way on West Rim Drive, visitors will come across the fifth overlook along this sightseeing route. Not only is this a good location for viewing sunsets and sunrises over the Grand Canyon, but it also provides an observation point for the Hermit Rapid to the west. Access to this point is via the trail system linking the outlooks along West Rim Drive and by shuttle in the summer months.

Description:

The Bright Angel Lodge's upscale steakhouse offers amazing views of the Grand Canyon while you enjoy tender, juicy steaks, seafood and other Southwestern specialties. The steaks are hand cut on the premises for assured quality. Seafood, poultry and barbecue dishes are also enticing options. Main courses range from USD12-22, and portions are more than adequate. Full bar service is available. No reservations are accepted, but you can put your name on the establishment's same-day waiting list.

Our Local Expert Says:

Microbrews served from all over Arizona, and the pie is fresh and homemade. Otherwise, standard fare.

Description:

Local restaurant that serves Microbrews from Flagstaff, Tuscan, and Phoenix. This place has a casual atmosphere, home-style large portions for low-prices, and great pie!

Description:

Enjoy good drinks and a light menu while sitting on the veranda overlooking the chasm. Inside, the hotel has a rustic feel complimented by local art and stained glass.