1. Go Hiking or BackpackingGrand Canyon National Park, and the greater Grand Canyon region, is a hiker's dream. Most of Grand Canyon National Park is undeveloped backcountry. There are literally hundreds of miles to hike and backpack and explore. Despite the Grand Canyon's popularity and numbers of visitors each year, visitors only need to hike a small distance to enjoy some solitude.
One of the most rewarding hikes is to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
2. Take a scenic driveWe think that a Grand Canyon vacation is America's greatest road trip. It's one big scenic drive. In fact, there are so many scenic drive opportunities it's hard to limit our favorites.
We'll get you started on your scenic vacation with a brief overview of our favorite Scenic drives that can easily be enjoyed on your Grand Canyon vacation.
3. Go on a Rafting or River Float TripThe Grand Canyon is one of the world’s preeminent backcountry experiences.
One of the most unique and exciting ways to experience the Grand Canyon is to float through it by way of raft on the Colorado River. Floating the Grand Canyon is on many outdoor enthusiasts' life list.
More than 20,000 people float through the canyon every year, and more would if they could. But ask anyone who's waited and had the opportunity and they'll tell you it's an adventure worth waiting for.
4. Spend a night or more campingGrand Canyon is America's most popular natural wonder, and it's no wonder that it is. This is a place of natural beauty and endless country to explore.
As a result one of the most memorable things to do on a Grand Canyon vacation is to spend at least one night camping.
Pitch a tent, or park your travel trailer, rented or personal RV in a campground, backpack off the beaten path, and get back to nature. Camping is our favorite activity when it comes to wanting to truly experience the outdoors and the magnificent beauty that abounds in the Grand Canyon region.
5. Take a Scenic Flight Over Grand CanyonOkay, so you're likely going to drive to the overlooks in a shuttle or your car inside Grand Canyon National Park. Maybe you'll hike or ride a mule into the Grand Canyon's interior, or stand suspended 4,000 feet above the grand abyss on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, or floating the Colorado River as it carves its way through the Grand Canyon.
That leaves one remaining important way to see and experience Grand Canyon National Park: via a scenic flight.
6. Go mountain biking or cyclingBiking is a fantastic way to log extra miles of breathtaking views while on your Grand Canyon vacation.
Get off the beaten path with your mountain bike, or a rented mountain bike, to explore further than your hiking boots can take you. Or, log some spectacular road miles on your bicycle.
We'll get you and your two wheels pointed in the right direction on your Grand Canyon vacation.
7. Go fishing in Grand Canyon regionThere's nothing like standing in the river as its currents surround you and pass you by.
The Grand Canyon region is full of some world-class rivers that provide visitors with a great abundance and variety of fishing opportunities.
Whether you want to fly-fish or fish on a lake, the Grand Canyon and surrounding regions deliver. From the Colorado River to Lake Mead or Lake Powell, plus so many others, anglers will want to bring their rods, reels and poles.
8. Ride a mule into the Grand Canyon's interiorIf you want to see and experience the inner depths of the Grand Canyon, below the rim, but don’t have the legs or lungs for it, consider a mule ride.
Riding a mule into the Grand Canyon is an adventure in itself and will provide you with plenty of stories and memories to share. While a mule ride isn't for the faint of heart, it's a great way to see the Grand Canyon's depth's that is easier on your legs, lungs and feet. (After all, the Grand Canyon's South Rim is situated at 7,000 feet elevation; its interior is situated at bout 2,000 feet. And what goes down must come up!)
9. Stand on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, suspended 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon.The Grand Canyon Skywalk is not located near the South or North Rim. Rather it is located at Grand Canyon West, an area owned by the Hualapai Tribe.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped walkway that extends almost 70 feet out into the Grand Canyon. Visitors on the Skywalk, which has a clear, 4-inch-thick glass bottom, peer over the railing, or down through their stance to see the Canyon and all of its 4,000 feet of vertical abyss.
10. Attend a cultural event or visit a cultural attraction. Rich in history and the arts, this region is full of them.The Grand Canyon region, and the state of Arizona, is rich in culture and history. As a result, it's an art lovers dream, and a destination that is on the top of most culture lovers' travel list.
Whether you want to attend a cultural event like a Western rodeo, an arts or music festival, a Native American craft fair or Indian Powwow, or re-live history at an Old West gunfight, take a historic train ride, or explore museums or art-rich destinations, you'll be more than fulfilled on your Grand Canyon vacation.