If you want to explore the US, then you want to see the Grand Canyon. This iconic landmark has become a staple of family vacations, nature touring, and long-distance road trips. But once you start looking at your plans to see this breath-taking sight, you may find yourself stumped by the various options for getting there and looking at it—from bus and car travel to bikes, mules, rafts, and even your own two feet. Which method will best suit your personality, style, and abilities? Check out these thoughts on each option.
Taking a Bus Tour
Has the concept of "roughing it" always sounded like a rougher time than you would prefer? Grand Canyon visitor bus tours offer the most comfortable of all the available options for seeing this majestic phenomenon—or at least its South Rim. (The South Rim consists of a series of scenic overlooks that let you peer all the way down into the canyon, giving you a full sense of its scale. Most visitors choose to take in the view of the canyon from the South Rim.) A bus tour allows you to sit back, relax, and admire the scenery with no need to worry about driving conditions or directions. It's also ideal for large groups who want to share a vehicle. Bus tours based in nearby metropolitan centers such as Las Vegas can get you to the South Rim, let your spend hours discovering the natural wonders, and then return in style.
Using Your Own Four Wheels
Do you always feel nervous or irritated when someone other than yourself drives you to your destination? Do you like the idea of maintaining total control over every aspect of your Canyon visit? If so, you might prefer taking your own car, truck, or van to the Grand Canyon instead of traveling as a bus passenger. This option makes sense as long as everyone in your party can fit comfortably in your vehicle. Like bus tours, a car trip will take you to the jaw-dropping views of the South Rim, but you would need some other method to explore more deeply into the canyon.
Employing Mule Power
If you want to actually get down into the Grand Canyon, at least to some extent, mule power can help you do it. Mule trails offer a time-tested method for exploring the local scenery inside the Canyon's South Rim, North Rim, or Kaibab National Forest. A typical mule tour may take anywhere from one hour to half a day, depending on the route. Possible complications include weight limits (under 200-225 pounds), and the fact that South Rim mule tours can be fully booked months in advance.
Biking
Do you love the freewheeling sensation of passing through natural beauty on two wheels instead of four? Do you plan on seeing the Grand Canyon either by yourself or in a group of fellow bike enthusiasts? Get your once-in-a-lifetime experience and your exercise at the same time by bringing your bike out to one of the canyon's many bike campsites. If you don't have (or don't want to transport) your own bike, you can always rent one from the local bike tour center. Going on an organized bike tour also lets you enjoy the insights and expertise of a professional guide along the way. Just take care, since you'll be sharing the paths with cars.
Hiking
Do you think of yourself as a minimalist, always choosing the least level of encumbrance in your travels? Do you love nothing more than seeing the world one step at time, relying on a backpack and your own two feet? It sounds like you would love a Grand Canyon hiking trip. You can proceed at your own pace and hike as far as you find comfortable. In fact, knowing your limits can make the difference between a great experience and outright disaster. Monitor your miles covered and elapsed time so you know when you should start making your way back. For extra security, think about carrying a satellite messenger that can beam emergency messages up and out of the massive canyon walls.
Braving the Waters
Do you want to experience the Grand Canyon from the bottom, looking up from the Colorado River that originally carved this astonishing natural feature? Do you get into thrills, chills, and the occasional risk? Do you love all things aquatic? If that description suits you perfectly, then you're a good candidate for a rafting tour. These tours take you along different parts of the river, depending on which route you choose. How much of the rafting you actually do yourself depends on your choice of conveyance, from the manual labor presented by a paddle raft to the ease of motorized "raft" boats. If you can't swim, make sure your tour guide understands that, and obey all necessary safety precautions.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter how you choose to see the Grand Canyon—as long as you see it. Ask your travel agent how to give yourself and your loved ones this unbeatable experience!
Share1 October 2018
For years, I really struggled with the concept of getting out of my comfort zone. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew that I had to do something to get out and see the world. I began talking with a friend of mine about traveling, and she was on board. We began working in fields where a lot of travel was required, and it was truly exciting to us. I wanted to begin a little blog that helped other people to make travel simpler, since it can be easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to travel.
