Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park is centered on a vast and colourful, steep-sided gorge of exceptional natural beauty.
The Grand Canyon was carved by geological activity and the Colorado River, which exposed 2 billion years of the Earth’s history. Precambrian and Paleozoic layers are well-visible and include a rich collection of fossils. The different elevations result in diverse ecosystems with a variety of flora and fauna species.
Community Perspective: lives up to its hype, “Awesome in the proper sense of the word”. It’s best to stay overnight in the park so you can beat both the sun and the crowds. Kyle has described the various access points: South Rim, North Rim, and "Grand Canyon West". Jakob walked halfway down from both Rims.
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Jakob Frenzel
June 2012 - this time we visited the North rim. It was already opened to public- We were lucky and could reserve a campground a few weeks earlier online. The north rim is way more remote, hence less tourists and less buildings. The campground is great, we could look over the rim from our tent. On our way from Mesa Verde we passed Monument Valley. A must see on your way through the mid West.
First day we drove to the scenic viewpoints. The views were even more magificant than from the southrim. The next morning we started our hike down at 5. a.m. so we would not get into the heat. After a few hours we met a group of Boys going already up again. They had been hiking all night starting at the southrim, passing Colorado and now back up again, amazing. The north rim is a bit higher and after hours of hiking it got warmer and dryer and the worst part was yet to come, to hike up again. So we decided to turn around after 2/3rds of the way and made our way back. Rest of the day we relaxed. The NPs have fridges loaded with a broad selection of lovely hopped IPAs. So also the rest of the day was great.
North rim: was really one of the greatest adventures of my life. But we continued next day to Zion, almost as good an experience.
Jakob Frenzel
March 2005 - we stayed at the south rim and took a day hike halfway down to Indian Gardens.
The views from the rim are magnificent and the size is just overwhelming. But if you take a dayhike all the way Down, or at least halfway, you get to see plants, succulents and various Birds. Of course squirrels are following you as well, desiring some nuts or bread crumps. But we also got to see a condor.
Even in April the scenic Spots were packed with tourists. And on the hike Down we were still joined by a high number of hikers. From Indian Gardens however the view to the Colorado is completely different and you can almost smell the water. Geat!
The trail is shared with Mules that you can ride Down and up again. We observed a rather antipodous woman, that refused to ride on the Donkey back up again and was taken a Hand off a Ranger. For us the steep climp was strenous and took a few hours. Back up again we saw a helicopter towing the woman back up again. What an adventure she must have had. Great experienience for me as well.
In the Photo I marked the spot we hiked to!
GabLabCebu
WHS#1
My very first WHS visit came from a trip to the West Coast of the USA way back when in 2008. It's so long ago that I can't even find my pictures of it (not that I took any pictures by myself as a child). On that trip, we met so many relatives and family friends, visited several cities, and did a lot of things. Being the child I was back then, I just so happen to remember none of that now. This is a part of my life that I really can't visualize, so it seems a bit of a stretch to even include this site on my personal list of WHS. But there are 3 vivid memories I have of that distant blissful bygone era, and they all happen to be in Arizona: my first encounter with snow (dirty, melting, meter-wide patch of compressed ice under a grove of pine trees) near Flagstaff, the unbelievable heat of Yuma that melted my ice cream almost instantly and made me feel like my butt was burning, and the Grand Canyon. Yes, those 3 still shine brightly in my imagination to this day, and it's time to discuss the 3rd one.
As the science-oriented kid I was, the Grand Canyon was definitely a highlight of my life back then. It was just such an amazing image that became true in front of my young, still eyeglassless, eyes. My parents and I were on a road trip, driving from Las Vegas to our next place to rest, Flagstaff, and it was quite soon after the boring (at the time) Hoover Dam that we came across the Grand Canyon National Park. We were at the South Rim. I remember looking down at the tiny river far below and suddenly being so scared that I would fall over the rails or that my Crocs would fall under the rails. I remember staring at the colorful sandstone columns, fascinated but unaware about just how much of Earth's history it represented. I remember looking at the North Rim, wondering how there were lush snowy forests on the other side when I was standing on barren desert. I even remember being in awe of how long (or deep) a kilometer is. Long story short, after being amazed at the view for an hour or so, we left at just around sunset to continue on our journey.
Obviously, the Grand Canyon is a wonder of the world. Its combined scenic, geological, and biological value is almost unparalleled in the world. To this day, it's still one of the greatest natural phenomena I've seen. Right now, though, I've also experienced and read of enough of the world to paint for myself a bigger picture on the standing of the Grand Canyon with other wonders around the world. First of all, the Grand Canyon is neither the deepest, nor longest canyon in the world, not by a long shot. It is, however, one of the most, if not the most, beautiful, and is probably most comparable to the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. The reason is simple: these two canyons aren't mountain canyons, which tend to be deeper, but plateau canyons. This causes the river to wind around a bit more, causing islands and peninsulas of the high plateau to form within the canyon. They are also located in deserts, which means that flora has less tendency to cover the surfaces and hide the different layers of rock.
I've also visited the Colca Canyon in Peru, which is said to be double the depth of the Grand Canyon, but being a mountain canyon in a lush setting, it isn't quite as impressive as the "deepest canyon in the world" would make it sound. The depth seems to be measured from the tops of the mountains rising directly from the canyon floor, which means the depth can't be as easily appreciated. The walls are covered in plants, so the bedrock is rarely exposed, and the columns and pinnacles seen desert canyons don't form. The great thing about the Colca in comparison to the Grand Canyon is the wildlife. Being in a desert setting, the Grand Canyon doesn't have much to show of its wildlife aside from being an intact ecosystem, despite fulfilling Criterion 10. This is simply due to it having a vertical continuum of ecosystems, which is a great show of habitat diversity, but not so much of species diversity. Colca Canyon, on the other hand, prides itself on its Andean Condor population, which we observed from the scenic mirador early in the morning.
The other thing that distinguishes the Grand Canyon from any other canyon is its demonstration of each layer of rock as a distinct period of the Earth's history. It's like the library of geological time, and it that sense, it really is unequalled in the world, and that probably forms the greatest argument for its OUV. But what argument must we have to make to protect a place as amazing as this? Well, I say it's just proof that something this great has more than meets the eye. This is a place that will forever stay in my mind, and that's amazing for many more reasons than one. I hope to return, one day, to explore deeper into the wonder and the mysteries of the great Grand Canyon.
Chris W.
I visited the Grand Canyon in August 2016. I stayed 2 nights in Tusoyan town (just 5 minutes from the park). I did two day trips.
1) like Els above, walked to Hermit and drove along the other view points.
2) the South Kaibab Trail hike up to Skeleton Point. This is a hike you really should do. it's betweeen 4-6 hours pending how fast you go. I walked with my daughter of 11 and she could easily do it. Don't take your grandma there!
Make sure to take water. A LOT. At least 5 liter per person I think.
check my site for Panorama photos. some made of 80 separate photos making them 150 MP resolution (the original; the one on the site are downsized.) If you are interested in the 150 MP resolution files ask me!
Read more from Chris W. here.
Kyle Magnuson
California - United States of America - 02-Sep-14 -
I've waited to review the Grand Canyon until I visited the South Rim, North Rim, and "Grand Canyon West". I have now visited Grand Canyon National Park (5) times, and the more remote North Rim is the most rewarding.
NORTH RIM
Firstly, I camped at the North Rim campground for $18. This campground is a prime habitat for the endemic Kaibab Squirrel, which is only found on the Kaibab Plateau. The campground is also located near the iconic structure "Grand Canyon Lodge" built in 1927 (National Historic Landmark), which offers fine dining and a stunning view. From here there are several trails both on the plateau, on the rim, and into the canyon. All worth your time.
Secondly, the most rewarding drives in the North Rim is the Cape Royal road that ends with the sublime Angel's window, and several more hikes (easy, moderate, difficult). I particularly enjoyed the Cliff Springs trail, which is not very long, but is quite stunning, and not a typical scene in the park that most visitors experience.
One of the benefits of the North Rim was the different atmosphere. The north unit is not visited by millions like the South Rim. It is not - viewpoint to viewpoint stopping. Indeed, you will have whole trails and views to yourself, even on a holiday weekend. I also benefited from camping in the park, morning and sunset views, a starry night sky, contemplation and solitude by the campfire is something difficult to beat.
At about 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, the views are equally stunning and the visitor numbers are far more moderate. I loved my time in the North Rim, and while I still appreciate the views and historic structures on the South Rim, if I return I'm headed north.
GRAND CANYON WEST
For travelers seeking an easy tick from Las Vegas, you can visit Grand Canyon West (which is managed by the Hualapai tribe). While you are not walking within the inscribed boundary of the Grand Canyon, every picture you take of the canyon toward toward the Colorado River is inscribed. In particular "Guano Point" is comparable to many of the best views found at the North or South Rim. The Hualapai tribe have a convenient bus system that you use to access the various scenic areas, which was efficient and I think vastly preferable than allowing endless cars to navigate the route.
Keep in mind timing is key at Grand Canyon West, if you depart Las Vegas at 9am and arrive at 11:00 or 11:30, this means (particularly on Weekends) that the Skywalk will be very busy, expect a line. We stayed at an airbnb only 20 minutes from the park entrance and therefore enjoyed 2 hours with only a handful of other visitors. Our experience was similar in quality to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, perhaps even better since there were so few people early in the morning. Cost at the South or North Rim is $35 per car (for up to 7 days) or perhaps you already have the National Park annual pass. Grand Canyon West is considerably more expensive. For the Hualapai tribe "Grand Canyon West" is a major employer and economic engine for the rural Native communities that make this region their home.
When approaching the Hualapai reservation, there is a massive Joshua Tree Forest. Make sure to visit this National Natural Landmark, which is part of the Eastern end of the Mojave Desert. There is a small loop trail with information panels near the intersection of Pierce Ferry Road and Diamond Bar Road, we enjoyed this area at dusk. Access information about the site via Google "Arizona's Joshua Tree Forest".
Read more from Kyle Magnuson here.
Kathy W.
My favorite part of visiting the Grand Canyon isn't the canyon at all. While it's one awe inspiring view after another, I found myself most impressed with the local Native Americans musicians and dancers. It was like being transported back in time. The whole experience is entrancing. If you have an opportunity to go, you must!!
Carol Thompson
I went to the Grand Canyon back in 2000, during a 3 week
trip to California, I have to say that it was a highlight.
We stopped overnight in the village with the intention of
seeing the sun rise, but unfortunatley we overslept which
resulted in us going late morning, it was just breathtaking
and we ended up staying to watch the sunset. I don't believe
it could have been any more spetacular. It will stay with me forever. I would recommend seeing the Grand Canyon to
anyone who is in the area, a must see.
Pauline
We went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon after a tour of the Utah national parks. What a surprise! After having been to the South Rim, we were expecting the same... not at all. It's about 1000 feet higher than the southern portion and we were met (in August) with a brief snowfall. We were also surprised by how heavily it was forested and spent quite a bit of time watching the chipmunks. We made the mistake of not staying at the Lodge .... a lot of reasons: one day really isn't enough, with all the hiking that you do it's not a good idea to travel afterwards, and most of all, you're so reluctant to leave, it would be a blessing to have planned in advance to delay the departure!
DAB
I was Overwhelmed by this canyon. corny as it sounds, there just aren't words to describe its enormousness and beauty. I went in winter, and it was freezing cold; there was snow covering the entire canyon (though I hear it was 10 degrees Celsius warmer at the bottom of the canyon). Though the canyon has been developed, it is so majestic, it seems that nothing can ruin the experience. This is definitely one of the seven wonders of the world, and visit to this site is amazing.
Els Slots
I tried to be there early, leaving my hotel in Flagstaff at 7 am. After two involuntarily rounds around town trying to find the right exit (I already had gotten lost the night before on the way back from the supermarket to the hotel), I headed north to Grand Canyon (South Rim). The sun already was shining brightly. Highways 180 and 64 are quiet roads within pretty surroundings.
Arriving at the gate of the park after 1.5 hours, I had to pay an entrance fee (per car) of 25 dollars - the highest amount I've paid in the US to get into a park or other attraction. I parked my car in Grand Canyon Village, and from there I had my first look at this enormous crack in the earth.
From the village, I started the Rim Walk westward, to Hermit's Rest. The Rim Walk is quite flat: I heard a German tourist say 'Grandmother could have come with us'. The height and the dry air do wear you out though, walking here is much harder than at sea level. The trail follows the edges of the canyon, so you can have a look down at the wonderfully carved rocks all the time. This easy walking is a very pleasant way to experience the park, smell, and see its nature.
Hermit's Rest at the end of the trail is a small souvenir and snack stall (with a great old fireplace). From there, the free shuttle bus took me back to the village.
Exiting the park I took Desert View Drive. This has some more viewpoints (from a different angle) on the Canyon. A lot of them were crowded with people and their cars though. Even on a Monday in late September the Grand Canyon attracts many, many visitors from all over the world (over 4 million yearly).
In retrospection, I had a good time but I think it's more convenient to stay overnight inside the park. That way you can beat both the sun and the crowds, and have a more in-depth experience of the site.
Emilia Bautista King
Yes, the Grand Canyon is all that it's cracked up to be! I've been twice - once when I was 9 and as an adult. During the former trip, we drove in my cousins car from LA and saw other tourist sites along the way, including the Hoover Dam and Vegas. I remember it being stinking hot at 110 degrees Fahrenheit and the drive was almost unbearable, even with the AC. My younger sister screamed and cried for a good part of the trip because she was so uncomfortable. But once we arrived, I kind of forgot about the heat and was astounded by the rock formations and fantasic colors.
I went again in 2004 with my then-fiance' while we were in Vegas. We took a plane ride above it and I can say that the ride was worth it. You really get a sense of how massive the canyon is. For those of you considering a visit, the Grand Canyon will not disappoint!
James Kovacs
What can you say about the Grand Canyon? It is simply
the greatest chasm in the world. Once you get a look
into the great chasm, your problems seem insignificant.
It is just so awe inspiring and beautiful. I viewed
the canyon from the north rim in October 1994.
I can't wait to go back.
Ian Cade
As said below this is Awesome in the proper sense of the word. I was lucky enough to be able to fly to the canyon from Las Vegas. The flight starts out across the Mojave desert before travelling over the Hoover dam and Lake Mead, which is all pretty impressive then the canyon proper starts. It is on a massive scale which I was not expecting, I was pretty much expecting two banks opposite each other like you see on post cards, not the vast expanse of canyons stretching off as far as you can see. Overall it was just the sheer size of the site that was spectacular in both its e breadth and also how deep it actually is, I guess the name should have given me a hint!
I would love to be able to go back and spend a few days travelling around, hiking down to the canyon floor and seeing the Colorado River up close, there is easily enough to keep you entertained for at least week from the look of things, and I feel even as a dedicated Urbanite that this would be something that would really appeal to me in the future.
Natural sites don't normally feature highly on my hit lists, however if you get to go to South Western USA this is well worth heading several days out of the way for. We headed out there from LA (a city I have grown to like over repeat visits) and spent a long weekend in Las Vegas, which is worth going to see for the absolute monumental waste of money that happens there, still an impressive if highly unique destination.
The Grand Canyon overall is awesome, and I can see why a few years ago it topped a BBC list of greatest places on Earth to visit.
Ben Pastore
My first impression of the Grand Canyon was a mental struggle to grasp the enormity of it all. Sure, it's essentially a really big hole in the ground, but what a hole! Add to that the real Western flavor and pleasing native flora and fauna, and what you wind up with is an incredible life experience, and most likely, a passing feeling of insignificance compared to the splendor of the natural world.
The south rim of the Grand Canyon is reasonably user friendly to people travelling by public transport. There are buses from Flagstaff station to the Park that connect with the trains passing through. And a bonus, if you travel to the Park by bus entry is free.
Then there are the shuttle buses within the park that take you to the sights, also for free.
Well i was only 17 when my Australian family of a mum, dad and 13 year old brother josh visited America for 6 months. After 1 and 1/2 months it was my 17th birthday. I could go anywhere i wanted my father told me. What caught my eye after days of thinking was that some world famous people visited the much loved site. No one beleived me when i told them the Grand Canyon. "You wont like it." My parents explained to me. I would just have to figure it out myself i thought. Now i'm 25 and have a beautiful 5 year old boy of my own. We are visiting the Grand Canyon next year. I would encourage everyone to go. IT'S SIMPLY AMASING!!
The Grand Canyon is one of those few things in the world that lives up to its hype. It's a breathtaking, astonishing site, and the National Park Service has done a good job of keeping the area clean and natural (no mini-golf or Wal-Marts!), with signature WPA-era stone and timber architecture for the park service center. I've been there three times and would go back again in a heartbeat.
Recommended: stay in Flagstaff, and stop in on Wupatki National Monument and the Painted Desert areas on your way up to the Canyon. This whole area is peaceful and astonishingly beautiful. One unexpected thing that stays with me is the sound of the wind in the pines that flank the canyon. You'll probably also see chipmunks if you sit still.
The Grand Canyon is just GRAND! I love this part of SW US; if you look at the whole area, starting with Bryce and it's hoodoos (eroded sandstone formations), then go south to Zion Natl. Park (eroded granite) and continue south to the north rim of the Grand Canyon (eroded everything), you can get the whole picture of what has happened by water and wind to this entire area. Throw in Monument Valley, the Painted Desert (multi-colored), the Vermillion Hills (purple)and on south to Sedona for a spiritual finish. This was a great 10 day trip, with a bush w/ hundreds of hummingbirds and beautiful hikes. Stay in Springdale,UT and the Northridge Lodge, if you get the chance.
Sheila Ross
Bill Bryson once said that "nothing prepares you for the Grand Canyon. No matter how many times you read about it or see it pictured, it still takes your breath away. Your mind, unable to deal with anything on this scale, just shuts down and for many long moments you are a human vacuum, without speech or breath, but just a deep, inexpressible awe that anything on this earth could be so vast, so beautiful, so silent."
That about sums it up, and what's more is that I don't think there's a picture in existence that can do it justice (although I've included a pretty one from the South-Eastern end). My husband has been eager to take me to the Grand Canyon for as long as I've known him, and we made the trip in September 2004, on our tour of some exceptional World Heritage Sites in the South-Western USA. It was the first WHS of the trip and though I spent three days rambling around, hiking and viewing the Canyon from many angles, I never got used to seeing it. It's so huge that it doesn't look real - it seems like a painting.
Unfortunately, it's a major tourist attraction and can get quite crowded. The first day we ventured up there (we were staying in nearby Williams, Arizona) was the Sunday of a holiday weekend, and the throngs of people were most intimidating. The worst thing of all was that people were climbing over the safety barriers out onto rock ledges for photo opportunities. Most tourists don't realize that people fall to their deaths into the Canyon every year, and all it takes is for someone to lose their footing on one of those rocks! What we found, though, is that most people stopped at the main viewpoint by the visitors' centre and never bothered to go anywhere else. On that first day we caught a shuttle bus (just park the car and leave it) out to the Kaibab trail (the trail with the best views, in our opinion) and hiked below the rim. Even on that busy holiday we saw relatively few people on the trail, which was nice. Even the easy trails are quite challenging (what goes down must come up), but if you come prepared with your water and salty snacks, it is completely worthwhile. We also recommend the Desert View Drive, which takes you to the East end of the Canyon, and also seemed relatively unpopulated by tourists. We had our best views on that drive. Everybody talks about viewing the Canyon at sunset; however the whole experience is overrated, in my opinion. We took another shuttle to Hopi Point on our last night (when most of the holiday weekend crowds had left) and it was crowded (so most people didn't get many nice pictures) and not that nice anyway. My father warned me that there would be planes flying into the Canyon all the time by rich jerks who'd rather pollute the air and disturb all the other visitors than get some exercise and walk to see the great views, but happily this was not the case when we were there. I don't think I saw a single plane.
Jeremy Tollpuddle
"It is just a big crack!!"
i was willing to be soo unimpressed by the Grand Canyon but it is impossible to be. the whole place is just fantastic. I have never been to a natural site as awe-inspiring as this! I just flew in on a day trip from Las Vegas, the flight along the Colardao and over the Hoover dam and Lake mead was impressive but as soon as you hit the canyon that all went out the window.
This was awesome in the original sense of the word and nothing else can describe it. I wish i could have gone there for a longer period of time amnd gone rafting or hiking.
Vegas looks like such a terrible place when you return!!
The Grand Canyon is an absolute must if you are anyhere near it!!
Klaus Freisinger
Simply stunning. One should not have to leave this earth without having seen Grand Canyon. It makes you just stare in amazement and wonder. On a more practical note, I went there by train - an original Western railroad from the town of Williams, complete with a bandit holdup. Clichéd maybe, but still fun. The train's schedule gives you just a few hours at the canyon, so maybe you should stay there for the night. Anyway, it will be an unforgettable experience.
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Site Info
- Full Name
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Unesco ID
- 75
- Country
- United States of America
- Inscribed
- 1979
- Type
- Natural
- Criteria
-
7 8 9 10
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Eroded
- Link
- By ID
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1979 Inscribed
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