The Grand Canyon is one of the most exquisite sites carved out by nature. The furious Colorado river over the years has cut the Grand Canyon the way it stands today and the work is still under way. A visit to the Grand Canyon National Park would surely mesmerize you as it has mesmerized millions of people who come here each year.

The Grand Canyon is actually 1 mile or 1.6 Km deep gorge carved out by the river Colorado. The different hues of the Canyon that are visible during different times of the day are simply amazing. The most accessible part of the Grand Canyon is the South Rim, which includes the Grand Canyon Village, Desert View and the Hermits Rest. This part of the Grand Canyon is open round the year and is the most favored place to see the Grand Canyon.

The North Rim which is nearly 2438 m above sea level is not as accessible as the South Rim and is visited only by a limited number of tourists. The distance between the north rim and the south rim is nearly 220 miles by car or 21 miles by foot if one goes across the Canyon taking up the North and South Kaibab trails.

The Grand Canyon is a hiker’s paradise that offers several adventure opportunities. You can go for a backpack trip, ride a mule to the Phantom Ranch or even take a river trip through the Canyon. The river trip on the Colorado river is not a one day affair and may take from a few days to nearly three weeks. So definitely it is not for the brave hearted.

The Grand Canyon National Park is a four to four and a half hours drive from Central Phoenix assuming two short stops on the way. There is an entrance fee to the park, the receipt of which is valid for a week.