When you visit Sedona, you'll want to get in some shopping at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (pronounced t-LAH-ke-PAH-ke), a shopping center designed to resemble a small Mexican village. The center has a number of interesting shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

For more entertainment, start your trip to the Canyon in the town of Williams, approximately 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Railway trains depart from Williams and, under the steady power of steam locomotion, move through picturesque landscapes all the way to Grand Canyon Village - despite the occasional "train robbery" staged by actors. Once you've arrived, take the family to the movies, Grand Canyon-style: see a film on a seven-story-tall screen. The movies at the Grand Canyon IMAX Theatre in Tusayan are guaranteed to hold the attention of even the squirmiest youngster.

There's no better place to find authentic Native American crafts than Indian Country - from trading posts and arts & crafts centers to roadside booths and tables run by artisans.

The Navajo are renowned for their handcrafted jewelry, silverwork, sandpaintings and rug weavings. You'll find Navajo rugs in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures. Moreover, each piece is a work of art as well as part of a more than 300-year-old tradition of weaving in the Navajo culture.

Silver jewelry is a must-buy and styles vary greatly. Start your shopping at the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site near the town of Ganado. Established in 1876, it is the oldest still-operating post on the Navajo Reservation. Other shopping outposts include the Cameron Trading Post and the Navajo Arts and Craft Enterprise in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation.

The Hopis are famous for their kachina dolls, hand-woven baskets, and distinctive pottery -- you can purchase and browse at the Hopi Cultural Center on Second Mesa. The center's restaurant offers the unique opportunity to try some of the traditional Hopi foods offered along with standard American cuisine.

You can also shop for items from Historic Route 66's heyday in Holbrook's downtown, where period restaurants and hotels vie with boutiques and Route 66-oriented shops. And you can even dance at select Native American festivals, when the public is invited to participate. Plan your visit during one of the many festivals, powwows, rodeos, dances, or celebrations that take place year-round.

Let's begin with the Grand Canyon itself. Hiking is certainly popular, but you don't have to hike the canyon to experience it. For an eagle's-eye view of things, jump aboard a helicopter or airplane tour from the Grand Canyon National Airport. Riding down into the Canyon on a sure-footed mule also offers a more leisurely look at the beauties of the inner canyon. For hikers, a trek to Havasu Canyon (within the Grand Canyon) rewards you with the amazing beauty of an Eden-like oasis of waterfalls and turquoise pools. Camping and lodging are available but limited -- reservations are essential.

Those who aren't afraid to get wet can take a white-water rafting or kayaking trip through the Canyon. Riding the rapids can be quite dramatic - a bit like riding a roller coaster during a torrential downpour - but the sights of the Canyon from the water are gorgeous and unearthly in their beauty. Highly skilled, professional guides provide food and drink for the trip, and people of all ages can now enjoy the experience in large inflatable boats. Expeditions can be as long as two weeks or more, or as brief as a day and a half. Relaxing float trips on calmer waters are also available.

Along the road to the North Rim, you'll pass through Kaibab National Forest, which offers hiking trails, backcountry camping, and views of the Canyon. You'll also pass the Vermilion Cliffs, a spectacular range of brilliantly colored, water-worn stone worthy of postcards. Keep an eye on the sky for the California condor, an endangered bird species introduced to this area several years ago.

For an off-road adventure to the Northwest end of the Canyon, head to Toroweap Point. Due to its lower elevation, it remains open all year and provides a serene experience.

A short trip from the Kingman area, the Hualapai Indian Reservation offers visitors a look at Grand Canyon West. In a pristine and remote wilderness area, no guard rails or buildings will obstruct your view of the Canyon, and a bus tour narrated by a Hualapai Indian guide gives visitors a chance to hear Canyon legends.

Red Rock Country
Though not many destinations could claim to compete with the Grand Canyon and majestic Lake Powell, the brilliantly hued red rocks of Sedona are equally breathtaking.

Day hikes of differing skill levels to Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa give up-close views of the mighty rock formations, and sunsets are undeniably beautiful. Narrated jeep tours offer the opportunity to four-wheel with ease through the best sights of the area. Hot air balloon tours will have you floating on cloud nine over the red rock buttes, and helicopter rides are also popular.

Oak Creek leads to Slide Rock State Park where you can frolic among the smooth stone troughs, pushed by the stream water. The scenic trip through this country will take you past many cozy cabins and lodges along the creek that provide perfect spots for quiet retreats.

Flagstaff Area
Just north of Sedona lies Flagstaff, With its 7,000-foot elevation, Flagstaff enjoys snowy winters and elegant summers. Skiers visit the San Francisco Peaks for challenging downhill action - or take off on the winding logging roads for cross-country skiing.

In summer, hikers explore the flowery meadows and high mountain trails. Flagstaff is also a haven for mountain bikers. Try some of the dirt roads in nearby Coconino National Forest. Hunting and fishing are also very popular.

For those with an interest in astronomy, Lowell Observatory is a must-see. It was from this here that the cold and distant planet Pluto was discovered.

North of Flagstaff is Sunset Crater National Monument, where you'll find the picturesque remains of a volcano surrounded by lava flows and caves. Don't worry about eruptions - the cone has been dormant for more than 900 years.

 

Indian Country Sightseeing

If you've seen many classic Western movies, you've seen parts of the Navajo Reservation. Monument Valley is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, rivaling the Grand Canyon as a popular backdrop for Hollywood's Old West movies, such as John Ford's Stagecoach.

Dramatic pillars of stone and fabulously shaped towers of colorful rock form the setting for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. You can start your visit at the park's visitors center and overlook area. Jeep tours and guided horse-back rides provide you with an up-close look at some of the world's most breathtaking landmarks.

Along the northwest edge of Indian Country, you'll find the expansive waters of Lake Powell, created by the mighty Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Lake Powell's clear blue waters provide a popular spot for house-boating, fishing and water sports. The shore is dotted with small canyons that let you get away from the crowds and enjoy the pleasures of solitude and seclusion..

Hikers should consider investigating narrow Antelope Canyon, renowned for its steep, rainbow-hued walls. You can also rent a boat from the Wahweap Lodge and Marina and visit the scenic Rainbow Bridge National Monument to see this enormous natural arch of stone.

One of the best kept secrets in Arizona is the utterly beautiful Canyon de Chelly National Monument. (Pronounced "duh-SHAY.") The canyon walls display the colorful hues of sandstone above, while the canyon floor is green and fertile. People have lived here for more than 2,000 years, and the canyon has many ancient ruins, including the popular and easily-accessible White House Ruins. The visitor center offers seasonal ranger-led hikes and exhibits. To enter the canyon itself, you must be accompanied by an authorized guide, and many visitors opt to take a guided jeep tour.

Outside of Winslow look for one of the most unusual sights in the world - Meteor Crater. A gigantic piece of space rock struck the earth here 22,000 years ago, leaving behind a moon-like crater. Lunar astronauts have trained here before heading to the moon.

The Petrified Forest National Monument, near Holbrook, features few green trees, but acres of fossilized ones dot the landscape. Displays and a short film at the visitors center explain how the ancient stone forest was created. Remember, it is forbidden to remove any petrified wood from the monument. Just west of Holbrook, Rock Art Canyon Ranch, a working ranch, offers guided and self-guided tours to Chevelon Canyon. The area contains hundreds of petroglyphs that were etched into the canyon walls by the ancient Anasazi people.

Entry Fees

� Entry: $20 per private vehicle, $10 pedestrian or cyclist. Good for 7 days and includes both rims

Useful Phone Numbers

Recorded Information: (520) 638-7888
Backcountry Office: (520) 638-7875
River Permits: 1-800-959-9164
Hotel Reservations: (303) 297-2757
Camp Reservations: 1-800-365-2267
Mule Rides (S. Rim): (303) 297-2757
Mule Rides (N. Rim): (435) 679-8665

Where to Eat

Babbitt's General Store: Located across from the Visitor Center. Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. A delicatessen is also located in the store and is open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (520) 638-2262.

Arizona Steakhouse: Located on the rim next to Bright Angel Lodge. Open daily for dinner only, 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. (520) 638-2631.

Bright Angel Restaurant: Located in Bright Angel Lodge. Open 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. The Bright Angel Fountain serves ice cream and snack, and is open daily. (520) 638-2631.

El Tovar Dining Room: Located in the El Tovar Hotel. Offers view of the canyon. Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Call (520) 638-2631 for dinner reservations.

Maswik Cafeteria: Located in the Maswik Lodge at the west end of the village. Open 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. The Sports Lounge is open 5 p.m. - midnight; 11 a.m. - midnight on Saturday and Sunday. (520) 638-2631.

Yavapai Cafeteria: Located across from the Visitor Center. Open 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. (520) 638-2631.

Sunrise & Sunset

It's practically required that visitors to the Grand Canyon catch at least one sunrise or sunset from a spot near the rim. The shadows are deeper, the colors more dramatic at those times. Some of the best places on the South Rim to view the light show are Hopi Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point and Lipan Point, and at the Desert View tower. Sunrise and sunset are also the best times to capture the Canyon on film. Although no photo can do the Canyon justice, you'll stand a better chance early or late in the day. National Park Service officials suggest you get to your place about 30 minutes early to land a spot. - Richard Nilsen, The Arizona Republic

Shuttle Bus Service

Free shuttle bus service is available throughout Grand Canyon Village, along the West Rim Drive, and out to the South Kaibab Trailhead during peak season only (generally Memorial Day to September). At that time of the year the West Rim Drive and Yaki Point are closed to private vehicles. Shuttle service is also available (for a fee) to Tusayan. Taxis are available (on call) from Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, call (520) 638-2631 ext. 6563.

 

 

Grand Canyon

South Rim Attractions

Village Area

The Grand Canyon's South Rim area is easily the most visited part of the park. During the summer months, be prepared for large crowds and lots of cars. However, the awesome views that await you on the South Rim make the effort of getting there well worth it.

Mather Point. Named for Stephen Mather, the National Park Service's first director, this overlook is the first view you'll encounter as you enter the South Rim area. Pipe Creek Canyon lies over 7,000 feet below the rim. Grand Canyon Village is about 3 miles west of the overlook on the south entrance road.

Visitor Center. Located in the Grand Canyon Village, the Visitor Center offers bulletin board listings of all park activities including guided rim walks, canyon hikes, photo workshops and special programs for children. Topo maps, brochures, videos, slides and a wide variety of canyon-related books are available at the Grand Canyon Association bookstore. The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Yavapai Observation Station. A breathtaking panorama of buttes and tributary canyons can be viewed through the windows of the station. Many of the geographic features are helpfully identified on panels near the viewing points. Books, videos and slides are available for purchase. Open 8am-5pm daily. The station is 1 mile from Mather Point or the Visitor Center via the Rim Trail.

Hopi House. Built of adobe, stone and wood, this intriguing pueblo structure was the first designed by renowned architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Lookout Studio. Another Mary Colter building designed to blend with the natural environment. Built on the rim's edge, the studio features a gift shop and lookout point. Located near the Bright Angel Lodge.

Kolb Studio. This 1904 building, perched on the rim near the Bright Angle trailhead, housed a photography studio built and run by Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. The brothers produced canyon subject stills and were first to film a river-running trip down the Colorado. Kolb photographic works are available on CD-ROM and can be purchased at the Association's bookstore. The building's auditorium also features visiting art exhibits.

Verkamp's Curios. A good spot to buy Native American crafts and souvenirs. Working out of a tent, John Verkamp began selling curios to early park visitors in 1898. The current site was built in 1905 and the business has been run by the Verkamp family ever since. It is the oldest continuously operated retail establishment in the Grand Canyon.

Overlooks West of the Village

West Rim Drive. From the Grand Canyon Village, this 8-mile drive leads to the overlook at Hermit's Rest. Since the road stays closer to the rim, the drive offers a great variety of canyon views. Highlights include: Trailview (overlooks Bright Angel Trail); Hopi and Mohave Points (excellent views of the Colorado River) and the historic marker at Powell Memorial, a granite column dedicated the great explorer of the Colorado River. Built of rough-hewn limestone, Hermit's Rest is a National Historic Landmark and features a snack bar and curio shop. The building was built in honor of Louis Boucher, a canyon prospector in the late 1800s.

Overlooks East of the Village

East Rim Drive. This is a 25-mile drive to Desert View. Overlook Highlights: With its wide-angle views, Grandview Point is believed by many to be one of the park's best overlooks (about 12 miles from village). Other prominent lookouts along the way are Yaki Point (thrusts out beyond the rim for breathtaking views of the inner canyons), Moran Point and Lipan Point, where the Canyon's entire geologic sequence can be studied.

Tusayan Ruin. The ruin was once a village occupied by prehistoric ancestral pueblo people about 1185 A.D. Experts believe the structured housed 25 to 30 people. Anasazi artifacts and dwelling illustrations can be seen at the the Tusayan Museum. Tours of ruins available during summer months.

Desert View. This spectacular overlook is located at end of East Rim Drive. At 7,500 feet, the overlook is the highest point on South Rim and provides great views of the Colorado River as it flows out of Marble Canyon. The pastel colors of the nearby Painted Desert can also be viewd from the overlook area. The site is marked by the 70-foot Desert View Watchtower, another stone structure designed by Mary Colter. Desert View offers an information center, bookshop, snack bar and gas station.

You'll find that the Grand Canyon's North Rim offers an uniquely different experience from that of the South Rim. For one thing, it's generally a lot less crowded year-round. For another, the North Rim sees lower temperatures resulting from its elevations of 1000 to 1500 feet; and gets almost 60% more rain and snow than the South Rim.

During the winter, deep snow blankets the rim's meadow and forest country -- creating ideal conditions for cross-country skiers and snowshoe hikers. Although you can camp in the North Rim area (with a Backcountry permit), all park facilities are closed during the winter months.

There is a great deal of wondrous scenery to see at the North Rim, and mile upon mile of spectacular hiking trails. Here are just a few sightseeing ideas:

Bright Angel Point. Located at the end of the highway near the Grand Canyon Lodge. From this vantage point (an easy 1/2-mile hike), you can observe the Roaring Springs, Transept and Bright Angel Canyons. Bright Angel Creek was named by the Powell expedition which camped at the canyon's mouth during their historic journey down the Colorado River. Using the North Kaibab Trail, you can day hike (or take a mule ride) to scenic Roaring Springs.

Toroweap. This area, also known as Tuweap or Tuweep, is situated between the Pipe Mountains and Kanab Canyon about 140 miles west of the Grand Canyon Lodge. At an elevation of 4,552 feet, Toroweap is known for its sheer cliffs which drop almost 3,000

feet to the Colorado River below. Although the area is little-visited, the natural quiet and awesome views are well worth the trek.

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