How to Visit the Grand Canyon

Ways to See the North and South Canyon – Train, Mule, Raft and Fly

Jul 29, 2009

Visiting The Grand Canyon By Mule, Jane Norton, istockphoto

The Grand Canyon receives millions of visitors each year; consider different ways to visit the North and South Grand Canyon Rims including train, river, sky and foot.

The Grand Canyon is situated in northern Arizona, accessible from Las Vegas, Flagstaff and Sedona on a day trip; many people visit the Grand Canyon by private vehicle or on an organized tour trip. However, not only can the Grand Canyon be reached by other modes of transport such as the train, once there, the Grand Canyon can be seen from the sky, from the river and from the back of a mule.

How to Get to the Grand Canyon by Train

The Grand Canyon Railway is a historic and unique way to reach the Grand Canyon; the Grand Canyon train runs from Williams (located 30 miles west of Flagstaff) to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The first journey to the Grand Canyon by train was in 1901and today over 200,000 people visit the Grand Canyon by train each year.

Need-to-Know Information for the Grand Canyon Train

The following information may be of use to visitors intending to visit the Grand Canyon by train:

the Grand Canyon train runs daily from Williams
the train journey to the Grand Canyon is 65 miles or 2 ¼ hours each way
the Grand Canyon train runs to a train depot at the edge of the South Rim, close to the El Tovar Hotel
visitors can stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams both before and after the train trip to the Grand Canyon
for reservations, current prices and further details contact Grand Canyon Railway Central Reservations on 1-800-THE-TRAIN (843-8724) within the US and +1 928 773 1976 from outside the US.

How to See the Grand Canyon by Helicopter

It is possible to see the South Rim of the Grand Canyon by helicopter or scenic airplane from the Grand Canyon Airport, located just outside of the Grand Canyon National Park; many tours depart throughout the day and to avoid disappointment it is best to plan ahead. Helicopters and scenic airplanes have designated air space, allowing other visitors to enjoy visits to the Grand Canyon. Contact the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce for further information on (888) 472-2696.

How to Visit the Grand Canyon by Mule

Both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon can be visited by mule; however, North Rim mule tours only run from mid May to mid October unlike South Rim mule tours which run year round. Some South Rim mule tours allow the visitor to stay overnight at Phantom Lodge, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Need-to-Know Information for Mule Tours at the Grand Canyon

The following information may be of use to visitors planning a mule tour at the Grand Canyon:

restrictions apply – mule riders have to be 4 feet 7 inches or taller and weigh less than 200 lbs; mule riders must be able to converse comfortably in English, not be pregnant, have no fear of animals or great heights and be in good physical shape.
prices for North Rim mule tours start at $40 for an hour trip
prices for South Rim mule tours start at $162 for a one day trip
further information and reservations (strongly advised months in advance) can be obtained from Grand Canyon Trail Rides on (435) 679-8665.

How to See the Grand Canyon by Raft

There are two ways to see the Grand Canyon by raft – white water rafting and smooth water rafting. White water raft trips vary from 3 to 21 days in length and need to be booked months in advance; smooth water raft trips operate along the Colorado river from Glen Canyon to Lees Ferry, away from the Grand Canyon proper.

Smooth water raft half day and day tours are easier to book for availability than white water raft tours; further information can be obtained from various tour operators in Page or for information on both types of water rafting in the Grand Canyon contact the National Park Service on (928) 638-7888.

Other Ways to See the Grand Canyon

There are many ways to visit the Grand Canyon in addition to the above ways; the Grand Canyon can also be seen by:

hiking
visiting the various viewpoints along both rims of the Grand Canyon
tour bus to Desert View on the South Rim
horse rides on the South Rim
ranger programs
the Grand Canyon Skywalk - not located at either the South or North Rim of the Grand Canyon but an interesting 'side' trip.

The copyright of the article How to Visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona Travel is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish How to Visit the Grand Canyon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.