Hiking the Grand Canyon: What to know
A visitor walks down the South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim. Credit: Getty Images/Sean Gallup
On a visit to the Grand Canyon in 1903, Theodore Roosevelt remarked, “The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children and for all who come after you as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.”
Five years later as president, Roosevelt would declare it a national monument. In 1919, it was officially designated a national park.
Scott Cundy, co-founder of Wildland Trekking, an outfit that has provided Grand Canyon guided hikes and tours for nearly 20 years, couldn’t agree more.
“It is awe-inspiring,” he said.
Carving through parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, the canyon, with the Colorado River at its core, covers 1,904 square miles — larger than Rhode Island. This impressive geological marvel averages one mile in depth and 10 miles wide, with a maximum width of 18 miles.
For first-time Grand Canyon hikers, the best place to start is the South Rim in northern Arizona, Cundy said.
“Peek over the edge and it’s nearly 5,000 feet down to the river,” he said. “The views are even better than the hype.”
Cundy noted that the high elevation may be more than most East Coast visitors are used to. Hikers may tire more easily than at home because of the elevation — the North and South rims are 8,000 and 7,000 feet above sea level, respectively. Also, hikers should carry at least three liters of drinking water on trails and a few sweet-and-salty snacks. And even when it’s cool at the top of the rim, it gets hotter as you descend into the canyon. Cundy advised hikers to take their time, wear a wide-brimmed hat and stop to rest as needed.
According to Joelle Baird, a public affairs officer with the National Park Service, season matters when it comes to getting the most from your visit.
“The winter is least crowded and a great time to go,” Baird said. “Spring and fall are great weather-wise but tend to be more crowded. Summer gets hot inside the canyon and is also the peak time.”
She advised visitors to plan their visit at least three months in advance — and possibly even earlier — for the best experience. “The nicest rooms overlooking the canyon rim can book out a year ahead,” she said.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
While it is possible to plan a Grand Canyon trip on your own, working with a hiking or touring company has advantages. Most tours are all-inclusive with local transportation, meals, gear, permits and professional guides covered. Consider Wildland Trekking, wildlandtrekking.com; or Four Season Guides, FSGuides.com.
The National Park Service’s Grand Canyon website, nps.gov/grca/index.htm, is also a helpful resource for information about the park.
COST
Park entry is $35/vehicle for a seven-day pass. Joelle Baird suggests paying $80 for an inter-agency annual pass, which offers a year’s worth of access to all national parks. “Savings can be significant, for example, if visiting Grand Canyon, Zion and Arches National Parks on a western road trip,” she said.
Day hiking is free but for hiking or camping in the back country, you’ll need additional lottery-based permits ($10 per permit, plus a nightly charge of $12 per person.)
GETTING THERE
The closest airport is in Flagstaff, Arizona, but flights are limited. Visitors can also fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas.
WHAT TO BRING
“People often think this is a desert environment, but it starts as a mountain environment and you descend into a desert environment,” said Scott Cundy. He advises wearing layers, packing for rain and snow and bringing a backpack for gear and extra clothes. Also recommended are a headlamp or flashlight and, November through April, boot crampons to provide extra traction on snowy or frozen terrain.
