ultimate weekend in the canyon

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:

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.

Description:

This steep, well-traveled South Rim trail is one of the most popular with day hikers and mule riders at Grand Canyon National Park. Many visitors make the day hike to Cedar Ridge, which offers great, expansive views and is recommended for hikers who only have a short time to spend in the park. The trail is steep and well-defined with little shade--hikers are advised to bring along plenty of water. Thee are no private vehicles allowed in this part of the park, so to get to the trailhead, take the shuttle bus to Yaki Point Road.

Our Local Expert Says:

With trust comes the realization that your mule could probably take you down the canyon with its eyes closed. Guides will accompany you on this 10-mile journey to the oasis at the bottom.

Description:

Taking a mule into the Grand Canyon is perhaps one of the most nostalgic experiences one can have in this endless abyss. Phantom Ranch cabins provide all the accommodations and amenities you will need, deep at the bottom of the canyon. Visitors will have the option of staying one or two nights. Reservations are required, both for a night's stay at Phantom Ranch as well as the burro. Make these reservations as far in advance as possible as spots fill up fast, particularly in the summer. Though difficult and terrifying at first, riders should trust the mule. Know, as you peer hundreds of feet below, that the mule has done this trip hundreds of times. Guides are very knowledgeable and will stop at some key points where photography is at its best.

Description:

This eatery is a refueling spot for the truly adventurous diner: you have to make the descent to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to eat here! The house specialty is hiker's stew, but the establishment also offers full American-style breakfasts, sack lunches and steak dinners. Vegetarian options are available by advance reservation. It is essential that you reserve your meals before you make your Grand Canyon descent.

Description:

This eatery is a refueling spot for the truly adventurous diner: you have to make the descent to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to eat here! The house specialty is hiker's stew, but the establishment also offers full American-style breakfasts, sack lunches and steak dinners. Vegetarian options are available by advance reservation. It is essential that you reserve your meals before you make your Grand Canyon descent.

Description:

This trail leads 14 miles one way from the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to the Colorado River. It is the most heavily used rim to river trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. There are several developed sites along the route. A picnic area lies at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon and two toilets lie en route along this drainage. In Bright Angel Canyon hikers will find Cottonwood Campground, open seasonally, and Bright Angel Campground. The Phantom Ranch site lies close to Bright Angel Campground near the Colorado River. It provides full ranch-style facilities complete with bunkhouse accommodations and a yearlong waiting list.

Begin your hike from the North Kaibab parking area approximately 11 miles south of the North Entrance Station to Grand Canyon National Park. The route leaves the southern side of the parking area and descends steeply through Roaring Springs Canyon. The trail switches back crossing the stream several times before reaching Supai Tunnel, where you'll find restrooms.

The descent continues along Roaring Springs Canyon. From the Supai Tunnel the trail crosses the stream and parallels the western bank of the drainage for approximately one mile, before beginning the second series of switchbacks. These switchbacks end at the mouth of Roaring Springs Canyon, where it empties into Bright Angel Canyon. A picnic area with restrooms and drinking water lie at this confluence.

The North Kaibab Trail leads to the right at this confluence entering Bright Angel Canyon. Hiking left or up stream from this confluence will put you on the Old Kaibab Trail. This route was used in the early tourist days of the Grand Canyon. It is no longer maintained by the park service and would make an interesting trip for individuals who want to test their route finding skills.

The confluence of Bright Angel Canyon and Roaring Springs Canyon lies almost five miles from the trailhead. From this point the grade of the route lessens considerably. The trail descends close to 3,500 feet in Roaring Springs Canyon and another 2,000 feet through Bright Angel Canyon.

The North Kaibab Trail crosses Bright Angel Creek and parallels the eastern bank of the waterway for the next nine miles to the Colorado River. Approximately one half mile after entering Bright Angel Canyon the trail passes the mouth of Manzanita Creek. A mile and a half beyond this creek crossing the route reaches Cottonwood Campground. This site lies at 4,000 feet slightly north of the mouth of Wall Creek. At this facility you'll find drinking water, toilets, campsites and an emergency phone.

Walking downstream from Cottonwood Campground the you'll cross Wall Creek and two other small drainages before reaching the spur trail to Ribbon Falls. A footbridge crossing Bright Angel Creek leads to a short spur trail and Ribbon Falls.

Continuing along the main route the path leads through Bright Angel Canyon as it becomes increasingly more narrow with steeper walls. Immediately before reaching Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch the route passes through a deep gorge along Bright Angel Creek. This area is known as The Box. Within The Box the Clear Creek Trail forks to the left leading eastward on a platform above the river. Shortly after the end of the narrows the track make a sweeping turn eastward along the Colorado River to Phantom Ranch. Fourteen miles from the trailhead the North Kaibab Trail reaches the Kaibab suspension bridge.

Description:

This steep, well-traveled South Rim trail is one of the most popular with day hikers and mule riders at Grand Canyon National Park. Many visitors make the day hike to Cedar Ridge, which offers great, expansive views and is recommended for hikers who only have a short time to spend in the park. The trail is steep and well-defined with little shade--hikers are advised to bring along plenty of water. Thee are no private vehicles allowed in this part of the park, so to get to the trailhead, take the shuttle bus to Yaki Point Road.

Description:

One of the most popular things to do at Grand Canyon National Park is to hike this popular, highly-trafficked South Rim trail that starts just steps away from the Grand Canyon Lodges, and ends at the bottom of the canyon. Day hikers, guests staying at Phantom Ranch, and mule riders all share this busy, scenic route, making for some interesting people- and animal-watching. Bright Angel Trail offers great views from the inner canyon--so great, in fact, that hikers can easily lose track of how far they've traveled. Although well-traveled and maintained, Bright Angel Trail is quite steep at some points, and hikers should expect to take twice as long to come back up. The 12-mile trail is not recommended for hikers seeking a one-day, round-trip adventure, but there are plenty of popular outlooks and switchbacks for easy turn-around.

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!