Grand Canyon

The most popular site to visit during the hot summer months would have to be the Grand Canyon. This colossal rock formation is located in the northeastern part of Arizona. The deepest point in the Grand Canyon is 6,000 feet and it is around 15 miles wide. It is one large site to see and is visited almost all year round by close to 5 million people. The Grand Canyon is positioned right upon the Colorado River and you must see the Grand Canyon to believe it and appreciate its natural beauty.

This seventh natural world wonder is something that you have to see to believe. The Grand Canyon covers over a million acres of land and it is 277 miles long. The distance between the north and south rim is about 10 miles. The rock formation that makes up the walls of the Grand Canyon ranges from 2 billion years old at the bottom to only 250 years old at the top. To access the south or north rim of the park, an entrance fee must be paid. This fee is only $20 dollars for each car with any number of occupants. Those who choose to walk or bike ride the Grand Canyon are only charged $10 dollars. This fee will entitle you to seven full days of access to the park on either side of the Grand Canyon. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $65 dollars that will entitle you and one vehicle full of your friends and family entrance to the park. The passports are valid for one year from the purchase date.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon is the wild, peaceful side. It is more isolated than the south rim and the climate, scenery, plants, and animals are all different. The north rim is not open all year round. You can visit this side of the Grand Canyon from the middle of May through the middle of October. The dates when the north rim is open relies heavily on the amount of snowfall that is received throughout the winter months. The north rim is popular for activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing although snowmobiles are not allowed on this part of the Grand Canyon. The north rim is only 12 miles away from the south rim if you travel by air. If you are driving in a car, it is a 5-hour drive with over 200 miles to get there. Rain is more common on this side of the Grand Canyon than on the south rim, so the most common plant life here is the Ponderosa Pine and the Douglas Fir. Aspen and birch trees can also be found on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Mule deer and rock squirrels are also found on this side of the Grand Canyon. You may also see coyote, lynx, kaibab squirrels, wild turkeys, and mountain lions.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is open all year round for visitors to enjoy. Be advised that when you visit the south rim during the summer months, it will be crowded. This part of the Grand Canyon is similar to that of a desert. There is no water found anywhere on the south rim. Trees that require little or no water do very well in this area. Examples would be Utah Juniper or the Pinon Pine. Of course, there are cacti and agave plants here as well. There are very few groves of Douglas fir on the south rim and these are commonly located by the visitor’s center. Besides plant life, you will see a variety of the wildlife that lives on the south rim. This includes rock squirrels, ravens, mule deer, and maybe a few Grand Canyon bighorn sheep.