Grand Canyon Hiking

Another of my favorite parks is Grand Canyon. I have been there a few times and can't wait to go back again. It never ceases to amaze me when I look out over the canyon. It almost seems too fake to be real. To me, it always appears as though the canyon is one big painted backdrop. It just looks so big and unreal to me. It is truly an amazing place.

Hiking the trails around the rim of the Grand Canyon offer visitors incredible views of the Colorado River far below, as well as the sites of the canyon walls. The South Rim is the most popular section of the canyon for visitors. Along this area of the canyon, you can hike along the top edge of the rim or down into the canyon. Unless you have an entire day or two, you won't be able to hike very far down into the canyon.

Unless you are planning to stay overnight in the bottom of the canyon, it is best to hike a short way down any of the trails. How far you can feasibly go depends on your endurance levels. Factor at least twice as long to go back up that it took you to go down. For instance, if you only want to hike for three hours, hike an hour down and leave yourself two hours to get back up. Take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water. Snacks can be helpful as well. Review the hiking FAQs on the Grand Canyon website before you set out.

If you are brave and want to spend the night inside the canyon, you either need to book space at the camp or lodge in the canyon bottom or obtain a backcountry permit. The backcountry permit allows you to camp in one of several designated areas. Some people prefer to book the donkey ride into the canyon. This is a great option if you aren't one for a lot of hiking.

One of my best memories is hiking down into the canyon a ways. We didn't go very far, but it was exhausting to climb back out. If you aren't used to walking, venturing any distance into the canyon can leave you breathless and worn out. It was still a great experience, though. I would love to go back and hike further someday.