Grand Canyon

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Grand Canyon
of America
is special

"Grand" is
an understatement.

At its extremes, the Grand Canyon is 446 kilometers (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide from rim to rim, and over 1600 meters (a mile) deep.

More than just vast

Vastness is just one of the mind-boggling elements of the Grand Canyon that renders me nearly speechless. The setting is desolate, the contours are rugged, and the striated hues of the gorges and pinnacles are vibrant.

When to go

Best months

The two best all-around periods are May and mid-September to mid-October. Crowds are relatively thin and the weather is pleasant (though, remember, the Grand Canyon weather can be unpredictable).

Grand Canyon
summertime
tips & insights

Expect
simmer crowds

June to mid September is the peak tourist season.

Reservations

Make your summer reservations early for the in-the-park lodges and camps because they become completely booked months in advance. The same can be true for the accommodations outside the park for weekends and holidays. Sadly, many tourists arrive expecting miracles.

Parking

Enter the park early if you are a day tripper. Otherwise, you may have trouble finding a parking space.

Traffic congention

It can be nerve-racking. Leave your car parked and take the free shuttle bus to the major lodges and lookout points so you won't have to repeatedly search for scarce parking spaces.

Rain

Bring an umbrella. Heavy rains occur mostly in the summer, particularly in August.

Location in America