13 Important Things to Know Before Visiting the Grand Canyon

1. You’ll enjoy the Grand Canyon more if you plan in advance.

The logistics of a trip to the Grand Canyon are important. Otherwise, you might miss out. From advance camping permits and pre-booking activities to picking the right time of year to visit and making sure you know exactly how much time you’ll need to experience everything you want, make sure your plan is solid before setting out.

2. You can camp on the rim and in the canyon.

If you want to explore as much of the Grand Canyon as possible, then you’d best plan on staying a while. The park has plenty of well-developed campgrounds above the rims, such as Mather Point and Desert View, which are easy to book. However, if you want to go off the beaten path and camp in open country within the park, you’ll need to book a backcountry permit well in advance. 

3. Entrance isn’t free, but admission goes toward park upkeep.

Don’t forget your wallet because entry to Grand Canyon National Park isn’t free. Entrance fees cost $35 per vehicle (including everyone inside it) and $20 per person on foot, bicycle, or part of a shuttle tour. Admission fees contribute to the cost of running the park. 

4. The North Rim closes for winter.

South Rim or North Rim — how to choose? The Grand Canyon is huge, so it’s no surprise that the travel time between the South Rim and the North Rim is roughly five hours by car. While the South Rim is open year-round, the North Rim closes during the winter season from October to May. Keep this in mind if you plan on touring as much of the park as possible. 

5. You can take a helicopter tour of the park from Las Vegas.

The drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon is around five hours — the same as the trip between the South and North Rims. While it’s worth making the journey to the Grand Canyon from Sin City, if you’re pressed for time — and have the spare cash — helicopter trips from Vegas to the canyon are a great way experience the park (without the 10-hour round-trip car ride).

7. The Skywalk is a good alternative to a helicopter ride.

If you don’t have the budget or the inclination for a helicopter tour, the Skywalk at Eagle Point is as close as you can get to recreating the experience of floating above the ravine. Suspended 4,000 feet above the floor of the canyon, the 10-foot-wide platform hangs over the edge of the South Rim with a clear glass floor. The Skywalk is operated by the Hualapai Tribe and ticket packages cost $69.

7. You can go whitewater rafting through the canyon.

It’s worth getting down into the canyon to experience its enormous scale from different angles — and taking to the whitewater rapids of the Colorado River is one way to gain a new perspective. Rafting the Grand Canyon is a thrilling experience that also grants opportunities to admire the dramatic rock formations within the canyon. Rafting trips last anywhere from one to four days, depending on how much you want to explore from the river. And once again, book in advance.

8. It has some amazing hikes, so pack appropriate gear.

The other way to explore the canyon’s interior is to hike one or more of the many trails that lead down to the floor. There are plenty of hikes that span various degrees of difficulty and length, from the weeklong trek that sets off from the North Kaibab Trail on the South Rim and covers 44 miles round-trip, to the Bright Angel Trail that offers a relatively gentle descent to the canyon floor (perfect for intermediate hikers).

9. Grand Canyon National Park has its own microclimates.

When hiking, rafting, or even just languidly strolling around the top of the South Rim, visitors should be prepared for quickly changing weather. Between unpredictable storms and the scorching sun, the Grand Canyon sees some pretty extreme weather at times, thanks to its dramatically differing altitudes. Plenty of trails leave hikers exposed to the elements with little shade, so pack proper footwear, a sunhat, and plenty of water, even if you’re not venturing far. 

10. Stay out of the caves in the Grand Canyon.

While there are around 1,000 caves spread throughout the Grand Canyon, visitors are only permitted to enter one of them — the Cave of the Domes. The caves of the Grand Canyon provide a habitat for the park’s wildlife and hold important geological artifacts. Many have never been explored, so keeping tourists out of them is park policy. The Cave of the Domes is located on the west side of the Horseshoe Mesa and can be reached by hiking the Grandview Trail.

11. Don’t feed the rock squirrels in the Grand Canyon.

Another Grand Canyon no-no is feeding the adorable rock squirrels. Sure, they might look sweet when they’re begging for food, but they bite — frequently. Described as “the Grand Canyon’s most dangerous animal,” the squirrels are everywhere, and a selfie probably isn’t worth the price of getting hurt.

12. Avoid visiting the Grand Canyon in the summer months.

The best time to visit the Grand Canyon is outside of the school holidays, so aim for spring and autumn. March through May and September through October are ideal because both rims are open and temperatures are more bearable. While the crowds are thinner during these times, the popular lookout points will still be filled with tourists. However, taking a short detour from the classic spots will allow you to find some alone time to admire the scenery.

13. You should stay for sunset.

The sight of the sun rising and setting across the Grand Canyon is guaranteed to elevate the experience, so stay late or arrive early to reap the rewards. 

You’ll Also Like:

• 8 of the Most Visited National Parks (and Where to Go Instead)
• The 11 Best National Parks in the U.S.
• The 12 Most Underrated National Parks in the U.S.