Arizona 2008 Official State Visitor's Guide - (Page 17) Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly National Monument ©AOT Grand Canyon National Park ©HPMG Havasu Falls, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Grand Canyon ©HPMG grand canyon naTional Park By all accounts, this is one park that needs no introduction. The Grand Canyon can be summed up with a long list of superlatives – it’s up to 18 miles across and a mile deep, and this massive scar in the earth’s surface extends for nearly 300 miles. You could spend a year here and barely scratch the surface. In a day, however, you can still come away awestruck by the park’s magnificence, and well informed about its history. The Approach: Dominating northwestern Arizona’s pristine landscape, Grand Canyon National Park has two sections, the North Rim (closed from first heavy snow to mid-May) and the South Rim. If you have just a day, stick with the more accessible South Rim, which is just 60 miles north of Interstate 40, a 90-minute drive from Flagstaff and a 4-hour drive from Phoenix. Visitor Center Tips: The South Rim has a few visitor centers, but the one you should not miss is the Canyon View Information Plaza, near Mather Point, which you can reach via the free park shuttle bus. This is a clearinghouse for advice and information on the park’s attractions, as well as its geology, flora and fauna. Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: Unless you have several hours, it’s not practical to hike into the canyon. Instead, amble along the level Rim Trail, anywhere from Bright Angel Lodge to Yavapai Observation Station. Y ou’ll pass the South Rim’s most historic buildings and can walk for as little as 15 minutes or as long as two hours, taking the shuttle bus back to where you started. A Lunch to Remember: Make a reservation at the historic El T ovar Hotel’s lodge-like dining room, which sits at the edge of the canyon rim and serves first-rate contemporary American and Southwestern fare. Offbeat Activity or Attraction: Built in 1904 and situated on the canyon rim at the head of the Bright Angel Trail, the Kolb Studio was once home to pioneering photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. Now there’s a terrific bookstore on the upper level, and a gallery with rotating exhibits down below. The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: It’s hard to beat the sunset view from Hopi Point, reached via the Hermit Road shuttle. If You Have More Time: With a few days, you could experience some of the park’s signature activities, such as a hike and mule ride into the canyon, where you can overnight at Phantom Ranch. w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 17 http://www.arizonaguide.com
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