We really hope you are good at snorkelling... Because the view is clearly breathtaking! Follow us, we'll take you to the Grand Canyon for a dive in the heart of Arizona's cliffs...
Watch the first part of our trip on video!
What is the Grand Canyon?
The advantage is that the name speaks for itself... The Grand Canyon is a huge gorge, carved out over thousands of years by the Colorado River in the Kaibab plateau.
Its National Park extends over almost 5,000 km2 and is one of the most visited in the region: no wonder!
As you walk along the steep cliffs of the South Shore, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Colorado River rapids, no less than 1,300 metres below!
How to get there?
Leaving Monument Valley (see our previous article), head southwest! After 2 hours and 15 minutes of driving, you will arrive at one of the entrances of the park which will allow you to reach the South Rim of the Canyon, more deserted than the North Rim. This is where we take you!
As you enter the park, take the Desert View Drive to the village. And above all, stop on the way! We'll tell you all about what you'll find there...
Not to be missed
Walk along the South Rim of the Canyon to make the most of the view. Among the most beautiful viewpoints, don't miss (see the map here) :
- Desert View: your first stop at the park entrance! Follow the path on foot to the observation tower. Although it is only accessible by stairs, the view of the North Shore and the Colorado Plateau is impressive and just as enjoyable from the ground!
- Yavapai Point: the best way to overlook Bright Angel Canyon! And in fact one of the most beautiful views for us, as it allows you to fully realize what you are walking along thanks to the observation of this perpendicular canyon. Note that a few steps lead down to this viewpoint, but the surrounding pedestrian road offers an equally striking perspective...
- Hopi Point: after a day of walking along the cliffs, take a break to watch the sunset over the canyon, have a drink at the El Tovar Hotel or buy some Navajo souvenirs in the Hopi House shop...
If you have the opportunity, take advantage of a helicopter flight to experience an exceptional moment... And we weigh our words! After a short flight over the forest, thevertiginous opening of the canyon under your feet is unforgettable... Its only drawback? It is unfortunately a rather expensive activity (a 45 minutes tour will cost you about 230$ per person). Check out the offers here!
If you have the time and are looking for a thrill on a tighter budget, take a trip to the west of the park to discover the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass walkway that juts out into the void to enjoy a panoramic view, feet above the void... Guaranteed effect! Tickets are on sale here (they include transport to get there).
Where to eat, where to sleep?
The list of accommodation inside the park is available here... But places are rare! Despite an attempt to book in January for the month of May, we could not find anything available.
So we stayed in Flagstaff, about an hour and a half drive from the park entrance. The site has no particular charm, but you can have a glimpse of the famous Route 66 which crosses the city and find an accommodation at a reasonable price!
Some useful information in a wheelchair...
The Grand Canyon is one of the most accessible parks we have visited! The concrete path along the South Rim makes it easy to walk to the most beautiful viewpoints! Some of the headlands have steps to reach the rocks above the canyon, but few of them do not have a ramp... Enjoy it!
Find all the accessibility information on our good addresses and visited sites on jaccede.com!
