Hopi House , located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Horseshoe Bend Canyon and Colorado River near the Grand Canyon
an iconic way to see the canyon since their inception in the late 1800s . If you ’ re short on time , opt for the three-hour Canyon Vista ride , which winds along a rim-top trail , each turn revealing another heart-stopping vista . Reservations are recommended . The ride to Phantom Ranch , nestled a vertical mile beneath the rim on the Colorado River , is a bucket-list endeavor . The 10.5- mile ride takes about six hours , including rest stops . The ride out the next morning is via a shorter , but steeper , 7.8-mile trail . Guests sleep in comfy cabins and indulge in a hearty dinner and breakfast as part of the fare . This trip must be reserved well in advance .
You just might see the last remaining official United States Postal Service mail-by-mule route in the country delivering mail and packages in the canyon .
BY BIKE
This relatively new way to experience the canyon began when Bright Angel Bikes set up shop in 2012 aside the park ’ s main visitor center near Mather Point .
They rent both cruiser bikes and road bikes for guided or do-ityourself tours . They also operate a shuttle for cyclists who prefer to do a one-way ride . A series of Greenway Trails that are closed to motor vehicles make cycling here a breeze .
Another popular option is the Hermit Road Tour , in which cyclists are shuttled to Hopi Point for a 5.5-mile mostly downhill return trip by bike . Hermit Road is closed to private vehicle traffic most of the year and hosts some of the park ’ s most scenic vistas , making the route an excellent choice .
nps . gov / grca /
In 2016 , the National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary . The hoopla surrounding the event — plus lower gas prices — sparked a banner year at many parks . But it ’ s not hard to escape the crowds even in well-loved refuges like the Grand Canyon . Some strategies for finding solitude :
VISIT OFF-SEASON
Claiming your own piece of the canyon is more than a matter of where you go . When you go makes a big difference , too . If you ’ re crowd-averse , avoid spring break and peak summer months ( Memorial Day to Labor Day ). Visitation is at its lowest from January to early March ( excluding holidays ).
CHOOSE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED
At the South Rim , that means avoiding the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails . But not to worry , there are plenty of routes to choose from , and you don ’ t even have to venture far from the Grand Canyon Village visitors hub to find them . Park veterans recommend the Rim Trail between Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest . Plan a full day for the 7-mile rim-hugging trek . If you ’ re tuckered out or short on time , just hop on the NPS free shuttle ( operating nine months a year ).
VENTURE OUT EARLY AND STAY OUT LATE
Popular overlooks and trails can get busy during peak
daytime hours . Beat the crowds by getting out before dawn and staying out after dark . A bonus : The stargazing is fantastic .
FOLLOW THE WELL-TRAVELED PATH UNTIL IT BECOMES THE PATH LESS TRAVELED
The flat , paved Rim Trail with its village access is usually heavily trafficked near the main visitor facilities . Keep walking a quarter of a mile or so and you ’ ll leave the crowds behind . The flat , paved trail is not only easy , it ’ s wheelchair accessible .
SEEK OUT UNNAMED OVERLOOKS
There are a number of small , unnamed overlooks as you drive east from the historic village on Desert View Drive . Pull into one , park , and stroll a bit . You ’ ll have the view to yourself .
Freelance writer Jayne Clark has seen the Grand Canyon via train , plane , automobile and mule .
SPRING 2017
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