One of the most famous landmarks in the United States is definitely the Grand Canyon. For good reason, it is enormous and the views are incredible. I’ve said before that I would choose Canyonlands over the Grand Canyon but I can’t deny that it is still amazing!
I think everyone should visit the Grand Canyon at least once in their life. But there are definitely a few things you will want to know before you go! We’ve been here twice now and learned things both times. Here are the top 5 things I wish I had known before visiting!
Check the Weather AND Air Quality
We always check the weather before we plan a trip. We need to know what to pack and what actives will be available. That being said, we made the mistake of visiting the Grand Canyon too quickly after a fire in Arizona and we couldn’t see a thing!
It was smokey and hazy. This was luckily on our second trip so we already knew what it looked like but I’m sure some people were much more disappointed! We thought for sure the air would have cleared up by the time we arrived so we did not check air quality. We will not make that mistake again!
Pack for the Desert
The Grand Canyon is HOT! It is hot and dry and you need tons of water. If you plan on doing any walking or hiking here make sure to pack extra water, snacks, and something to cool you down! If you do plan on doing an overnight hike make sure to pack accordingly.
Over 250 people are rescued from the canyon every year because they are not prepared. So please bring extra water and stay hydrated! Also, as with any park make sure to acquire any hiking permits needed before setting out on a trail.
Reserve Lodging Early!
I know that we always say to plan ahead. But when booking lodging for the Grand Canyon it really does fill up quickly! You can very easily and up staying far away from the park or paying high prices for a hotel closer if you wait. We stayed in Flagstaff this trip which is about a 45 minute drive from the park.
There is camping available and some free BLM land as well. Paid campsites definitely book up months in advice so keep that in mind! If you are planning to camp, this is definitely a place you will want to check weather and fire restriction guidelines.
Pick a Side
Depending on how long you have for this trip you may not have time to visit both North & South Rim areas. In a car it takes 5 hours to drive between the North Rim and South Rim entrances. So assuming you do have a car or other transportation vehicle you really need to factor in the time it will take to get across the park.
The South Rim is the most popular because it is open year round and is more developed. The North Rim is only open during season (around May – October). Both have wonderful trails and views to offer so you really need to decide where you want to spend most of your time!
Plan Other Activities in the Area
The best thing about the Grand Canyon is where it is located. It is honestly right in the middle of so many other awesome sights. Definitely try to plan a few other activities near by! Depending on the direction you are coming from you could see dozens of awesome roadside attractions, other parks, or major cities!
A few of our favorite attractions close by are Four Corners, Monument Valley, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Zion, St. George, and Bryce Canyon! Those are literally just a few of the major destinations within a few hours of the Grand Canyon. If you have few weeks and can do some additional traveling you could definitely see many amazing places.
