What to see and do at the Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 

It is a massive geological formation located in the state of Arizona.  Native Americans have been living in the Grand Canyon since 1200 BC. In 1540, a small group of Spanish soldiers, traveled to the south rim of the Grand Canyon between Desert View and Moran Point. No Europeans visited the canyon again for more than two hundred years.  President Roosevelt established the Grand Canyon Game Preserve in 1906 and it became an national park in 1919.

From 12/4/2015 to 12/6/2015, we rented a car in Las Vegas and drove to the Grand Canyon stopping at Hoover Dam and Sedona.   December is a great time to visit there.  There are very few people in the park and you can drive the western road on the South Rim (which is limited to buses in the Summer).   We stayed at the Yavapai Lodge while we were there.  On the morning of the second day, we took a tour with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters.  It was the longer tour which took us up and over the north rim which was covered with snow.

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of up to 6,093 feet.  The north rim is over 8,000 ft above sea level.  It is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, exposing layer upon layer of colorful rock formations that serve as a natural record of Earth's history. It is a testament to the power of natural forces and a stunning reminder of the incredible beauty and diversity of our planet.

The Grand Canyon is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to explore the canyon's hiking trails, take in its breathtaking views, and learn about its geological and human history. The park offers a wide range of activities, including camping, rafting, and scenic drives along the canyon rim.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural landmarks in the world, known for its awe-inspiring beauty and incredible size. The canyon is home to a wide variety of unique plant and animal life, including rare and endangered species such as the California condor.

Looking for things to do?  Viator offers numerous tours in the Grand Canyon area.  Click here for details. 

View from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Hopi house at the Tusayan Museum.

Mountain goats at the edge of the canyon.

A deer grazing near the Grand Canyon.

An elk eating tree leaves near the Grand Canyon.

This is the trail which leads down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Map of the helicopter flight routes.

Boarding the helicopter in Tusayan for a flight over the Grand Canyon

Flying over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter is a great way to view the canyon.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon was covered in snow when we visited there.