Grand Canyon National Park

If your family is planning a vacation to Arizona, one of the most beautiful parks in our country is located there. The Colorado River carved out a canyon 277 miles long and 18 miles wide that is called Grand Canyon National Park.

When Theodore Roosevelt stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon in 1903, the sight filled him with awe.  He said, “It is beyond comparison — beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world.”

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

The park was established in 1919 and 5,000,000 people visit it every year. It’s known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The beautiful colors of Grand Canyon were captured in these photos.

Ride a mule to see the Grand Canyon

There are many ways to see the Grand Canyon. Some people take mule trips down into the canyon. Plan ahead to ride a mule because the trips fill up way in advance.

There are hour rides and half-day rides. An overnight ride includes a stay at the Phantom Ranch.

Ride in a plane or helicopter

Some people fly over the Grand Canyon in planes and helicopters to marvel at the beauty and size of the park.

Others take river trips. There are half-day and full-day water trips on the Colorado River or two to five day trips. Whitewater rafting trips from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek are professionally guided and are reserved a year or two in advance.

Toroweap Overlook

The view from the North Rim at Toroweap Overlook is beautiful. The Colorado River is a 3,000 foot vertical drop away. Look and listen for the Lava Falls Rapid from the overlook.

There are many wild animals in the park. You may see mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, porcupines, bighorn sheep, mule deer, lizards, and frogs. There are hawks, woodpeckers, owls, and the endangered California condor.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources:

Flynn, Sarah Wassner. National Geographic Kids: National Parks Guide U.S.A., National Geographic Society, 2012.

“Grand Canyon: National Park, Arizona,” National Park Service, 2014/12/16 http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm.

McHugh, Erin. National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks, Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc., 2012.