GrandCanyon.LifeTips.com

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1 GrandCanyon.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Grand Canyon Accomodations Subcategory: Grand Canyon Accomodations Tip: Grand Canyon West Lodging Tourists who'd like to spend a night or two in Grand Canyon West can stay at the Grand Canyon Hualapai Lodge, which is owned and operated by the Hualapai Indian Nation. The Lodge is located in Peach Springs, Arizona, about 150 miles from Las Vegas, an easy drive from the Strip. The Lodge offers a restaurant and other amenities. Visitors can combine lodging with raft, helicopter, or SUV tours of Grand Canyon West. Children under 15 stay for free in the parent's room, and the rates are quite reasonable. The Grand Canyon Hualapi Lodge is the closest lodging to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, too. Tip: Havasupai Lodging The Havasupai Indian village of Supai, located in Havasu Canyon, is remote only accessible by mule, foot, or helicopter. Havasupai means "People-of-the-Blue-Green-Waters," and once you visit, you'll understand why. The highlights of Supai are the turquoise pools and roaring waterfalls that beckon visitors from all over the world. You can camp in Suapi at a primitive campground that operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, or you can stay at the rustic Lodge in the village. The rooms have no phone or television, but they are charming and clean. Located at the base of a steep cliff, the Lodge is located about 1 1/2 miles (hiking) from Navajo Falls, the first of three beautiful waterfalls that cascade into deep, blue-green pools. Swimming is encouraged, and the photographic opportunities are endless. All visitors must pay a fee and register with the Havasupai Tribe when they enter the village of Supai. Tip: Hotels in Tusayan Tusyan is the settlement just a few miles outside the park boundary on the South Rim. It's also the home of the Grand Canyon Airport, where you'll arrive if you fly into the canyon. There are several hotels and resorts located in Tusayan, and sometimes you can find a room there when hotels inside the park fill up. While the resorts inside the park feature few amenities for families, (like swimming pools and such), many of the hotels in Tusayan feature a variety of family fun activities, such as swimming, bowling, tennis courts, and mini-suites. There are also several restaurants in Tusayan, from casual buffets to a steak house. The IMAX theater that screens the documentary "Grand Canyon - The Hidden Secrets" is in Tusayan, too. Visitors can also enjoy Native American entertainment, including song and dance, at some of the Tusayan locations. Tip: Make Your Reservations Early!

3 Some people like to travel without reservations, stopping where they will along the road when it seems right. If your travel plans in Arizona include a stop at the Grand Canyon, that's not such a good idea. Over 5 million visitors explore the park every year, and most of them arrive in the summer months, so accommodations can be at a real premium. While there are plenty of Grand Canyon accommodations around the park for miles, inside the park boundaries you'll only find six hotels, and only four of those are located on the rim. There are several more choices outside the park in Tusayan, and Valle, and then you'll have to travel to Williams or Flagstaff to find a room. So, most people recommend making reservations at least three to six months in advance, or even up to a year for the busiest summer season. You can make reservations online for all the hotels inside the park, and many outside the park boundaries, as well. Tip: Other Grand Canyon Hotels The two most well-known hotels inside the national park are the El Tovar and the Bright Angel Lodge. However, there are other hotel options inside the park. Yavapai Lodge is conveniently located on the Market Plaza, near the grocery store, bank, and post office. It's a favorite with families because of the large rooms and the nearby café with serves a variety of family-friendly fare. The Maswik Lodge is the newest hotel in the park, and some of the rooms feature refrigerators and in-room coffee. There's also a sports bar in the lounge of this hotel, near the cafeteria. Both of these lodges are located about 1/2 mile or so from the canyon rim, so their rates tend to be a bit lower than hotels located right on the rim. Tip: The Bright Angel Lodge If you enjoy a little history with your hotel stay, then the Bright Angel Lodge is a fantastic spot to relax during your trip to the Grand Canyon. Designed and built out of native stone, and timber, the lodge is now an Arizona legend and has been declared a National Historic Landmark. Rustic and charming, the lodge was planned by Southwest architect Mary E. J. Colter, who designed many park landmarks, including the Hopi House, Lookout Studio, Hermit's Rest, and the Desert Watchtower. Built in 1935, it's been updated many times since then, but always to the original look and feel of the building Colter created. The Bright Angel has always been the hub of activity at the canyon. Mule riders check in at the Bright Angel, and lodging includes cozy cabins that bring back the charm of the 1930s. Some offer fireplaces and canyon views. Don't miss the massive fireplace in the lobby of the lodge, or the history room with additional stories of the lodge and its construction. Tip: The El Tovar Hotel The El Tovar Hotel I worked at the El Tovar restaurant in the front and back of the house. It's a beautiful building, and you shouldn't miss dining there on your trip to the Grand Canyon. If the price of dinner is a little too steep for your wallet, try the restaurant

4 for breakfast or lunch instead. Watch the open log beams above your head as you dine. You may see a ring-tailed cat or two balancing their way across the beams. These little animals look like a cross between a raccoon and a house cat (hence their name). They're fast, so you'll have to keep your eyes open to spot them! Be prepared to wait for a table if you don't have a reservation in the summertime. Waits can be long â 2 hours or more. Luckily there's a small lounge off the restaurant where you can relax while you wait for your table. Tip: The Grand Hotel The Grand Hotel is one of the newest resorts in Tusayan near the Grand Canyon, and it offers everything from romantic getaways to play structures for the kids. It's companion restaurant, the Canyon Star, offers more than dining, it also offers Native American entertainment, karaoke, DJs, and more nightlife than just about any other location. The hotel also offers wireless Internet access and complementary high-speed Internet access in the public areas but not in each room. They are also one of the few hotels in the area to assist you in planning a Grand Canyon wedding. They also offer complementary shuttle service into Grand Canyon National Park and have a tour desk to help you plan custom tour packages for your family or group. Tip: The Village Historic District The Grand Canyon Village Historic District stretches from Verkamps Curio Shop in the east to the Kolb Studio in the west. Most all the buildings in this district were constructed at the turn of the 20th century, even before the canyon became a park in You can drive most of the district on the Village Loop Road, and along that road, you'll also see many other native stone buildings that house park operations and staff. The large, native stone buildings with the green barn-like roofs and the pens outside are mule barns, used to house the mules that tackle the trails of the canyon every day. You can't tell, but sprinkled in among these buildings are dorms for seasonal workers and side streets that lead to some of the residential areas of the village. Most of the people who work at the canyon live right here in the village, and if you explore some of the back roads, you'll see Park Service and concessionaire neighborhoods that look just like your own neighborhood back home. Category: Grand Canyon Air Tours Subcategory: Grand Canyon Air Tours Tip: Combined Helicopter and Rafting Tours Several Grand Canyon helicopter operators offer tours combining different views of the Grand Canyon. Tourists can take a helicopter flight over the canyon, and then fly to

5 Page, Arizona, where they catch a river raft for a smooth-water tour through the upper section of section of the Grand Canyon. After the whitewater trip, they board buses at Lee's Ferry for the return trip to the Grand Canyon. Other tours fly to Grand Canyon West, where a helicopter picks them up, drops them at the bottom of the canyon for a river tour, and then picks them up when the tour is over. These tours take the better part of a day, and you need to make advance reservations in most cases. Tip: The Ford Tri-Motor Grand Canyon Airlines boasts they were the first company to fly scenic Grand Canyon airplane tours. That explains the presence of the 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airplane at the entrance to Grand Canyon Airlines terminal at the Grand Canyon Airport. During the late 1970s, Grand Canyon Airlines used the Tri-Motor as part of their fleet for very special tours, and now, the "Tin Goose" still flies at an occasional air show around the country. In the winter, the Tri-Motor moves to the Planes of Fame Air Museum, located in the tiny community of Valle, about 30 miles south of the Grand Canyon. Check with Grand Canyon Airlines if you'd like to know more about the Tri-Motor. Tip: The Planes of Fame Air Museum Valle, Arizona, is little more than a crossroads where highways 64 and 180 meet. Located about 30 miles south of the South Rim entrance, there's little there but a gas station, hotel rooms, "Flintstone Village" for the kids, and the Planes of Fame Air Museum for the bigger kids in the family. Planes of Fame operates a legendary Air Museum in Chino, California, and this is an off-shoot of that museum. In concert with Grand Canyon Airlines, the museum is developing an exhibit on the history of Grand Canyon airplane tours, and the owner of Grand Canyon Airlines is trying to locate at least one type of every airplane his company has used for tours over the years. Tip: Wedding Helicopter Tours From Las Vegas Papillon Tip: Grand Canyon Las Vegas helicopter tours are a booming business. So much so that Grand Canyon tours also operate from Boulder City and North Las Vegas airports. Find out if these helicopter tours offer package deals and discounts at their individual Websites. Tip: What to Bring on a Grand Canyon Air Tour Before you pack your bags, check with your particular air tour company to see if they have restrictions on what you bring aboard. Definitely bring: A still camera or video camera, the view from the air is entirely different than the view from the rim or below. Binoculars. Some tours get close enough to the rim and inner canyon for tourists to view native wildlife. Bring water if the tour is longer than an hour or so. Bring a sweater or jacket, especially in the winter months. It's cooler the higher you go in elevation, so even

6 if it's hot outside, you may get chilly inside the aircraft. Try to leave purses and backpacks behind, they can take up too much room and get in the way in small airplanes and helicopters. Tip: What to Expect From a Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride Papillon Tip: Grand Canyon helicopter rides have been severely restricted in recent years by the Park Service, and some people feel they may disappear altogether. If you're concerned, contact a tour operator to find out what you can do to help preserve the Grand Canyon helicopter ride experience. Category: Grand Canyon Family Vacations Subcategory: Grand Canyon Family Vacations Tip: Don't Cut Your Visit Short It's not unusual to hear a tourist say, "I only have one hour to spend at the Grand Canyon what should I see." If you only have an hour to spend, don't plan on seeing more than a viewpoint or two. The canyon is a big place, and an hour is barely enough time to get from the entrance station to the visitor center and Mather Point. Instead of rushing around the canyon for an hour or two, give yourself several days to really explore and experience the canyon. The view from each vista is different, and so is the same view at different parts of the day. In the early morning and evening, when the sun is low, the canyon's rich colorations really come through. At high noon, the canyon appears hazy and less detailed. Colors seem to change minute by minute as the light changes, which is why the canyon is often called "the house of stone and light." Take your visit to the canyon slowly, and savor all you can of the park. It is a treasure, and any treasure is worth saving up for and relishing, rather than rushing though it to get to the next destination. Slow down, and enjoy all the views. Tip: See the Canyon by Shuttle Papillon Tip: Parking your car and taking the free shuttle is good for the Grand Canyon's environment. Today, park and ride is part of the Grand Canyon package during the crowded summer months. Parking in Tusayan and taking a bus tour is another option for your Grand Canyon activities in the summertime. Tip: See the Canyon by Shuttle While there are plenty of Grand Canyon packages available, you really don't need a tour package to get around in the Grand Canyon. Most of the roads are open to private vehicles throughout the year, and most of the activities on the South Rim take place

7 within a few miles of each other. The NPS also runs an extensive free shuttle bus system between Hermit's Rest in the west and Yaki Point/Kaibab Trailhead in the east. Shuttles run throughout Grand Canyon Village during the day and early evening, all year round. They also connect the Village with Mather Campground, the grocery store, bank, and post office at Market Plaza, and other points along the South Rim. Tip: The Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon Papillon Tip: The best time to visit the Grand Canyon depends on your vacation travel plans, but planning Grand Canyon travel during the off season can bring some exciting and relaxing rewards, like open seats on helicopter and bus tours, which you'd rarely find in the summer. Category: Grand Canyon National Park Subcategory: Grand Canyon National Park Tip: Grand Canyon Safety Safety might not be your first concern when you visit a national park, but it should be. There are several things you should know about safety when you visit Grand Canyon National Park. The park's rims are both extremely high in elevation (average 6,800 feet on the South Rim and 8,000 feet on the North Rim). People with heart conditions or breathing problems should be aware of this before they visit, as physical exertion at higher elevations can be difficult and even dangerous. Most areas along the rim do not have safety railings or other barriers, and the rocks along the rim can be unstable. Don't go too near the rim, it can be dangerous. Keep children away from the rim. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. They do not understand the concept of a canyon rim, and many dogs run after animals or people, trot right over the rim, and are killed in the park each year. The temperatures in the inner gorge can be at least 20 degrees higher than the temperatures on the rim. Hiking without water in the inner gorge is dangerous, and so is hiking during the hottest parts of the day. Don't hike alone, and always tell someone where you are going and when you'll return. Follow these tips and make your visit to Grand Canyon National Park safer and memorable. Tip: How to Apply for Work at the Grand Canyon So, you'd like to work at the Grand Canyon. Really, it's not that difficult to get a job in the park. Of course, most positions are entry level, and you'll have to work your way up to higher paying, more responsible positions. The company that owns the concession at Grand Canyon National Park is Xanterra, doing business as Grand Canyon National Park Lodges. You can fill out an employment application online:

8 You need to be 18 years old to work in the park, and willing to live in an employee dormitory at the cost of $16 per week. You also need to be willing to pay for meals in an employee cafeteria, and work in positions such as dishwasher, guest room attendant, or retail clerk. You'll also need to undergo a background check and be open to random drug testing. Working at the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You'll work hard, but you'll also have a national park as your very own backyard, and that's a pretty awesome fringe benefit. Tip: The Hopi House The Hopi House, designed by Mary E. J. Colter, is another one of the oldest buildings in the park, in fact, it's the oldest curio shop at the canyon, it opened its doors in Colter designed the building to resemble the pueblo-type homes of the Hopi Tribe, who live east of the Grand Canyon in their ancestral homes located on top of three mesas. The building still contains a curio shop, and the upper floor has been open to the public since 1995, when the building was renovated and added to the National Register of Historic Places. The upper floor carries museum quality Native American artwork, while the lower floor deals in more traditional Native American arts and crafts. Outside, the Hopi House is totally authentic to its roots in the Hopi Mesa homes, complete with the ladders used to reach each level, the native stone used for construction, and the terraced levels allowing for outdoor living and meal preparation. Interestingly, several Hopi craftspeople worked on the restoration of the building in 1995, which strived to keep the historic integrity of the building intact. Tip: Watch the Weather Grand Canyon weather may not be exactly what you think it will be. Many people think because Arizona is a desert state, the Grand Canyon is a desert, too. Well, it is, but it's the "high" desert, and that makes all the difference. The elevation of the South Rim is nearly 7,000 feet, and temperatures even in summer are usually not much higher than mid-80 degrees. Night cool down 30 to 40 degrees, so a sweater or jacket is a must even in summer. Wintertime is cool, and the canyon receives several inches of snow each year. Daytime highs may not reach above 30 to 40 degrees in many cases, and nights can drop below zero at times. Snowy and icy roads are common. The inner canyon has its' own micro-climate that can be dangerous in winter or summer. Many people believe the temperature goes down as they descend into the canyon, but that's not true. The temperature rises, and an 80 degree day on the South Rim means 100 or more degrees in the inner gorge. Many hikers miscalculate about this, and don't take enough water or supplies with them on hikes into the canyon. Grand Canyon weather can be deceiving. Summer afternoon thundershowers are common during July, August, and September. The canyon can fog in during the winter months, with a thick layer of clouds blanketing the inner gorge from rim to rim. Check the weather before you leave for your trip, as changing Grand Canyon weather can ground helicopter and plane flights over the canyon.

9 Category: Grand Canyon North Rim Subcategory: Grand Canyon North Rim Tip: Camping on the North Rim There is one campground located inside Grand Canyon North Rim, and several campgrounds are located outside the park at Jacob Lake and on U.S. Forest Service lands. The campground fills up fast, and you must make reservations. You can do that online, or by phone. The campground is located near the rim in an aspen and fir forest. Most campsites are spacious, and there's a laundry and showers located nearby, too, along with a general store that sells wood for campfires, among other things. There are no hook-ups for RVs, but there is a dump station. The campground stays open until the first snowfall, but after the middle of October, limited services are available, and the only facilities are pit toilets. If you hike or ski in the area during the winter, you can use the campground facilities, but you need a permit from the Backcountry Office in the park. Tip: Teddy Roosevelt and the Grand Canyon When you visit the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge, you'll notice quite a few references to President Theodore Roosevelt including the Rough Rider Saloon, named in honor of the president. Roosevelt's influence on the park is historic for a number of reasons. Roosevelt designated the park a National Monument in 1908, which ultimately led to the park's national park status, and so, the park's history rests on his shoulders. In addition, he once said of the park, "Keep this great wonder of nature as it is. Do nothing to mar its grandeur, for the ages have been at work upon it. Keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you," and this is probably the most well know and often repeated quote used in connection with the Grand Canyon. Tip: Weather on the North Rim Because Grand Canyon North Rim is higher, the weather is cooler than the South Rim. Daytime temperatures in summer are usually in the 70s, while nights cool down to the 40s. In the winter, temperatures can often fall below freezing, and the road is closed due to heavy snowfall in late fall until early spring. Temperatures in the inner canyon, however, are still hot. Hiking from the North Rim to the bottom of the canyon is even more difficult because of the added elevation. Inner gorge temperatures are usually over 100 degrees in the summertime, and can drop as much as 40 degrees or more overnight. Category: Grand Canyon Rafting

10 Subcategory: Grand Canyon Rafting Tip: A Little Leery of a White Water Raft Trip? If you're a bit afraid of experiencing Grand Canyon white water rafting, or simply don't have time for a multi-day adventure, you can still experience a Grand Canyon raft trip. Lots of companies offer alternatives that will fit your time frame and fear factor. Smooth-water trips from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry take only 1/2 a day, but will give you an introduction to float trips and rafting in general. These trips are usually leisurely, kick-back excursions that anyone of any age can enjoy. One day Grand Canyon white water rafting trips are available, too. Some of them combine a helicopter trip to the launch site, (usually in Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian lands), and a day-long adventure on some moderate white water rapids. Tip: John Wesley Powell, Grand Canyon Explorer Major John Wesley Powell, a well known veteran who lost an arm during the Civil War, was the first known white man to explore the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In 1869, Powell and a group of nine other men left Green River, Wyoming and began a journey that would lead to the Colorado. In essence, Powell's trip was the first Grand Canyon whitewater rafting expedition, although he had no idea of what he would face at the time. He and his men used large, wooden boats with keels that were entirely unsuited for the rapids of the Colorado. They suffered many hazards, including loss of supplies, boats, and crew members, but five men including Powell did make it thorough the canyon to the Virgin River at the mouth of the canyon. Today, Grand Canyon rafting trips have come a long way from the trials Powell and his men faced. However, Powell's account of his adventures along the Colorado raised public interest in the area, and ultimately led to the throngs of people anxious to experience Grand Canyon whitewater rafting today. Tip: Know Your Boats on the River There are several different types of boats available for your Grand Canyon rafting tour. They include: Oar Boats. These can be rafts or other types of boats that are powered primarily by the guide, leaving the guests free to enjoy the thrills of the river. Paddle Boats. Usually large, pontoon-type rafts where the guests provide paddle power along with the guide. Oar Boats with Paddles. Guests can provide additional power on these boats, while the guide does most of the work. Dories. These are wooden craft powered by the guide. Many people feel dories offer a more intimate and exciting Grand Canyon rafting tour experience. Motorized Rafts. Many tourists prefer these craft because they provide a quicker tour of the river. Know what type of boat you'd like to experience before you book your rafting tour, because some of these boats are only used on particular tours through the Grand Canyon.

11 Category: Grand Canyon Railway Subcategory: Grand Canyon Railway Tip: History of the Grand Canyon Railroad Santa Fe began to lay tracks from Williams to the Grand Canyon in 1899, and operated the railroad to the Grand Canyon from 1901 until 1974, when they abandoned service and the railroad tracks. The depot at the Grand Canyon was also abandoned, and fell into disrepair. Beginning in 1977, there were efforts to resurrect the railroad under private ownership, but plans continually fell through. It wasn't until 1988 that Phoenix businessman Max Biegert and his wife Thelma purchased the railway and developed the current train service. The first train arrived at the Grand Canyon depot in September, 1989, and the train has run continually since then. About 130,000 passengers now ride the railroad every year, so it's a good idea to make your reservations early. Tip: Railway and a Hotel, Too The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, located in Williams across the street from the train depot, is based on a historic hotel operated by the Santa Fe Railway. The new hotel is casual but contemporary, western, and family-oriented. The hotel offers suites, deluxe rooms, and indoor pool, several recreation areas, and a lounge. Restaurants are located across the street and visitors can book packages that include lodging, a train ride to the Grand Canyon, and lodging at the Grand Canyon, if desired. They also offer a pet resort (pets are not allowed in the rooms at the Grand Canyon or on the train) and a RV park. Tip: Santa Fe A Legacy at the Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon Railway is carrying on a long and treasured railroad tradition in Northern Arizona. The Santa Fe Railway was one of the first railroads to stretch into the Southwest from the East bringing passengers, tourists, supplies, and civilization to the "Wild West." The Santa Fe was the first railway to build a track north from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the company also helped develop Grand Canyon Village. They built the Grand Canyon Depot, the El Tovar Hotel, and many other buildings. In fact, all the materials used to construct the village came to the rim by train, and all the water used in the park came by train until The Santa Fe was the first to really promote the canyon as a tourist destination too; so much of the canyon's history traces back to a railroad and the development it provided. Tip: Steam or Diesel

12 If you're a steam train buff who just can't wait to see and feel the steam experience on the Grand Canyon Railway, you need to make special plans for your vacation. The steam locomotives only run between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. The rest of the time, classic diesel engines pull the train. The steam engines undergo maintenance and rest during the winter, which they need because of their age (they are all at least 80 years old or more). Weather can also be harsh during the winter, and the diesel locomotives handle the challenges of cold winter weather a little bit better. All of the locomotives on the Grand Canyon Railway are vintage, and so are the cars. They have all been restored by the railway's own shop and maintenance crews. Category: Grand Canyon South Rim Subcategory: Grand Canyon South Rim Tip: Bike Touring in the Grand Canyon Bikes are not available for rent inside the park, but you are welcome to bring your own bike and create your own custom Grand Canyon South Rim tour. There are some regulations about bikes you need to know before you hit the road, however. Bikes are permitted on all paved and unpaved roads in the park, and on the new Greenway Trail. Bikes are NOT permitted on any trails in the park, including the Rim Trail. Bikes are subject to the same road rules as cars in Arizona. Bikes are welcome on the road to Hermit's Rest on the West Rim, but they need to be aware there is heavy bus traffic and the road is narrow and steep in some places Some tour companies also offer a Grand Canyon South Rim tour that includes off-road mountain biking and travel into the park. Riders should be at least somewhat experienced for these tours. Tip: Free Tours at the Grand Canyon When you arrive at the Grand Canyon and pay your entrance fees, the ranger will hand you a packet of information, including the canyon newspaper, The Guide. Inside, you'll find a list of tours and programs led by experienced rangers. For an enlightening and free Grand Canyon South Rim tour, just meet the ranger at the appointed time and place. Tops on the list of free programs are the evening campfire programs. Geared to the entire family, they cover a host of topics, so even if you attend every night, you won't hear the same program twice. The evening campfire programs take place in Mather Amphitheater, check for times when you arrive in the park. Tip: Grand Canyon Field Institute Perhaps some of the most interesting and educational tours in the Grand Canyon are offered by the Grand Canyon Field Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to education and preservation of the Grand Canyon. The most popular Grand Canyon

13 South Rim tour is "Meet the Canyon," a short introductory hiking tour meant for the entire family. However, they offer numerous other South Rim tours both on the rim and inside the canyon. Most of their tours involve moderate to heavy hiking, and so you must be in good shape to participate. Taking a Field Institute Grand Canyon South Rim tour is a good way to see deeper into the natural and cultural wonders of the canyon. The tour guides are experts, and some tours even offer meals, lodging, and mule trips as part of the class. Tip: The Arizona Room The Arizona Room is only open 10 months of the year, but it's one of the most unique dining experiences inside Grand Canyon National Park. This dining room is near the Bright Angel Lodge, perched right on the rim of the canyon, so the views are magnificent. This is a steak house in every sense of the word. The restaurant is only open for lunch and dinner, and is closed in January and February. Lunch is only served March through October. The menu is decidedly southwestern, and entrees feature steaks, meats, seafood, and some chicken. The Arizona Room is a favorite with many locals in the canyon because the food is excellent and the atmosphere is relaxed. The Arizona Room doesn't take reservations, and in the summer, the wait can be L-O-N-G. However, with the views of the canyon afire in the glow of sunset right outside, the wait doesn't seem quite as long. Tip: The Grand Canyon Condors Many birds live in the Grand Canyon, from swifts to the canyon wren. Look high over the chasm and chances are you'll see ravens dancing on the updrafts, and other large birds soaring on wide, heavy wings. These are California Condors, and they have not lived at the canyon for years. In 1996, six birds were reintroduced to the canyon area, and they have continued to thrive in their new environment. Today, 51 condors live in the area as they have continued to be released into the wild. At least two pairs of the birds successfully bred and hatched young, but at least one of those young, the first born in the wild, died within two years of its' birth. Seeing the condors in flight over the Grand Canyon is a magnificent and unforgettable sight. As you meander along the Rim Trail, take a look up into the skies over the Grand Canyon. You may be surprised at just what you'll see soaring in the blue skies above your head. Tip: The Kolb Studio The Kolb brothers are to the Grand Canyon what John Wayne was to western films. The very foundation of Canyon tourism rests on their studio, perched precariously on the very rim of the canyon in the Village Historic District. Emery and Ellsworth Kolb built the studio between 1904 and 1926, for the purpose of developing and showing the early films they created of the canyon. They were the first photographers to film boats running the rapids of the Grand Canyon, and their films helped make the South Rim an even

14 more popular tourist destination at the beginning of the 20th century. Emery and Ellsworth lived in the studio after the added on living quarters, and Emery showed his film of the boat trip at the studio until his death in The Kolb Studio is located at the trailhead of the Bright Angel Trail, just a short distance from the Bright Angel Lodge. Today, the auditorium no longer shows the Kolbs films of the Grand Canyon, but it is a museum with changing exhibits operated by the non-profit Grand Canyon Association. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the views of the canyon from inside are some of the finest views from the South Rim. Category: Grand Canyon Tours Subcategory: Grand Canyon Tours Tip: ATV and Hummer Adventure Tours Adventure and the Grand Canyon go hand in hand, so it's not hard to plan a great Grand Canyon adventure tour. In Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai lands, many tour companies offer extreme off-road tours with SUVs or Hummer's as the vehicles of choice. There are also a variety of ATV tours of the forest lands outside the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Many of these tours are geared to first-time riders, but check with the tour operator if you've never ridden an ATV before. These tours all have experienced guides who know the area and the natural history of the area you'll see on your adventure tour. Many of these tours can be booked in combination with other adventure tours, such as helicopter rides or raft trips down the Colorado, too. Tip: Geology Tours of the Grand Canyon Papillon Tip: More tour companies are springing up every day, so even if you don't see a tour you'd like when you begin to plan, check with local Grand Canyon tour companies before you leave on your trip to see if they have added a new Grand Canyon adventure tour or two to their rosters. Tip: Group Tours From Grand Canyon Airport If you fly into the Grand Canyon, ask if there is a Grand Canyon group tour though your airline, or an airline partner. Many of the small airlines that fly into the canyon partner with group tour companies, or offer their own group tours. These tours can run from a Grand Canyon day tour to a multi-night stay combined with lodging inside or outside the park. They may also include other Grand Canyon tours, such as mule rides, raft trips, or helicopter rides over the canyon. Because there are so many group tour operators at Grand Canyon, visitors have many choices when they plan a Grand Canyon group tour, including customized itineraries and private groups tours from many companies.

15 Tip: Tours to the Grand Canyon Papillon Tip: If you want a taste of Native Northern Arizona, try a Grand Canyon tour to Monument Valley. Not as crowded as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley is hauntingly beautiful and representative of the Navajo Native American way of life. Tip: Tours to the Grand Canyon A Grand Canyon tour doesn't have to originate in or near the Grand Canyon. Many Grand Canyon guided tour operators organize longer tours that take in several parks in the Southwest, such as Bryce, Zion, North Rim, South Rim, etc. Some of these tours concentrate on the Northern Arizona area, including Monument Valley, the Hopi Mesas, Petrified Forest, Sedona, and Flagstaff. Traveling to the Native American lands east of the Grand Canyon is especially interesting, and off the beaten path for most tourists, even in the summer months. If you have two or three weeks to spend exploring the desert southwest, look into a specialized Grand Canyon guided tour to see the most for your money. Many of these tours include all meals and lodging, while others ask you to provide your own meals. Tip: What to Look for in a Tour Package When you purchase a Grand Canyon tour package, don't purchase by price alone. A lower-priced tour may offer substandard lodging or transportation, and probably won't include meals. Many tour packages offer high-end lodging, meals, and even entertainment in some cases. If a tour package isn't specific about lodging and other elements, steer clear of that tour. If your package includes a river or air tour, find out what company is providing the additional tours. Check out their websites and see if you can discover how satisfied customers are with these tour companies. Or call the local Better Business Bureau to check on customer satisfaction. It's fairly easy to set up an Internet site, book tours and provide them. However, legitimate tour companies offer value and service to their clients, so be sure to look for both when you shop for a Grand Canyon tour package. Category: Hiking the Grand Canyon Subcategory: Hiking the Grand Canyon Tip: The North and South Kaibab Trails The North and South Kaibab Trails connect at Phantom Ranch, and are the second most popular trails in the Grand Canyon. The South Kaibab Trail is more rigorous than the Bright Angel Trail. The trail is about 6.7 miles to the bridge crossing the Colorado River, and another 1.5 miles to Bright Angel Campground. The South Kaibab leaves the

16 rim at Yaki Point. Shuttle busses are available to Yaki Point, as it is closed to all traffic. The South Kaibab is steep, has no shade, and no drinking water other than at the trailhead. Most experienced hikers do not try to hike out of the canyon on the South Kaibab, it is simply too steep. There are no campgrounds along the South Kaibab, either; you have to hike all the way to the Colorado River to the Bright Angel Campground. The North Kaibab Trail connects the North Rim to the Colorado River, and connects with the South Kaibab. It is very steep, but there is seasonal drinking water available along the trail. Hiking to the river takes twice as long as the South Rim trails, as the North Kaibab is 13.8 miles long. Cottonwood Campground is available about 7 miles below the rim on the trail. Remember, camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds along all these "corridor" trails. Category: Visting the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Subcategory: Visting the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Tip: A Different Grand Canyon Tour Papillon Tip: When you travel to the Hopi Mesas on Grand Canyon bus tours, there are certain rules of etiquette you should follow. You should not take photos or record the people without permission, and there are some towns on the mesas that are off limits to visitors. Some towns may be closed to visitors during traditional Hopi dances and celebrations. Tip: Bus Tour Services Some tour companies offer a wide variety of services to their customers. For example, when you book a Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour with some companies, they offer the opportunity to book Vegas shows, Grand Canyon hotels, and other tours, along with your Grand Canyon tour. Most companies will also create custom tour packages just for your family and friends. Many offer vans driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, instead of large tour busses, so you can have a more intimate experience. Make sure there are no hidden costs in your Las Vegas Grand Canyon tour. Some tour companies advertise low prices, but do not cover "extras" such as your entrance fees to the park. Tip: Bus Tours From Vegas to Grand Canyon If you'd like to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, your best bet are Grand Canyon bus tours. There are more of them than any other type of Grand Canyon Las Vegas tour, and they are available just about any day of the year. Most of these tours pick guests up at their hotels, and drop them off at their hotel after the tour is over. Many offer all meals and beverages along the way, too. Most itineraries include a stop at Hoover Dam and Kingman, then on to the canyon for several hours of open time to

17 sightsee and shop. Each tour company is different, so be sure to check whether meals, entrance fees, and drop-off and pick-up are covered in the cost of your Grand Canyon Las Vegas tour. Tip: Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours Papillon Tip: If you don't want to take a group tour, the Grand Canyon is close enough that you can fly in via helicopter for your Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas, rent a car from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, or you can fly into Grand Canyon Airport on one of several small airlines that serve the canyon with fixed-wing aircraft.