rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_3c672023-12e6-5920-bbf3-df2dce1e3c27.jpg" alt=""/> 928/638-2631) on the remote chance that there’s space available. If you arrive at the canyon without a reservation, stop by the Bright Angel Transportation Desk and put your name on the next day’s waiting list. Hey, you never know.
For more casual horseback riding outside of the Canyon, head to Apache Stables (www.apachestables.com;
The Grand Canyon Railway
In the early 20th century, most visitors to the Grand Canyon arrived by train, and it’s still possible to travel to the canyon along the steel rails. The Grand Canyon Railway (www.thetrain.com;
There are four classes of service to choose from: coach, first class, observation dome (upstairs in the dome car), and luxury parlor class. Actors posing as cowboys provide entertainment aboard the train. It’s 8-hours round-trip, including a 3¼- to 3¾-hour layover at the canyon. Round-trip fares (not including tax or the national park entrance fee) range from $67 to $219 for adults, $25.50 to $120 for children 2 to 12.
Not only is this a fun, scenic trip, it also avoids the traffic congestion and parking problems in Grand Canyon Village. When booking your train trip, you can also book a bus tour in the park, which will help you make the most of your limited time on the Rim. Or, if you want, book a room/train package so you can stay overnight in the park.
Tip for families: In November, December, and January, the railway runs a Polar Express service to “the North Pole,” complete with a visit from Santa.
Interpretive Programs
Any number of interpretive programs are scheduled throughout the year at various South Rim locations. Ranger-led walks explore different aspects of the canyon, from nature hikes to fossil trips to guided tours of the Tusayan Ruin; rangers also give geology talks, lecture on the cultural and natural resources of the canyon, and hold stargazing gatherings. Many programs are held at Mather Point Amphitheater and the Shrine of the Ages. Consult your copy of The Guide for information on times and meeting points.
| A Bird’s-Eye View |
Despite controversies over noise and safety (there have been a few crashes over the years), airplane and helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon remain one of the most popular ways to see this natural wonder. If you want to join the crowds buzzing above the canyon, you’ll find several companies operating out of Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan. Air tours last anywhere from 30 minutes to about 2 hours. Companies offering tours by small plane include Air Grand Canyon (www.airgrandcanyon.com;
The Grand Canyon Field Institute
If you’re the active type or want more of an educational experience, consider a trip with the Grand Canyon Field Institute (www.grandcanyon.org/classes-tours;
Jeep Tours
To explore parts of Grand Canyon National Park that most visitors never see, contact Grand Canyon Jeep Tours & Safaris (www.grandcanyonjeeptours.com;
Rafting the Colorado River
Ever since John Wesley Powell proved it was possible to travel by boat down the tumultuous Colorado, running the big river has beckoned adventurers. Today, anyone from grade-schoolers to grandmothers can join the ranks of those who’ve made the run. However, be prepared for some of the most furious white water in the world.
Numerous companies offer trips through various sections of the canyon. You can spend as little as half a day on the Colorado (downstream from Glen Canyon Dam; p. 325) or more than 2 weeks. You can go down the river in a huge motorized rubber raft (the quickest and noisiest way to see the entire canyon), a paddle- or oar-powered raft (more thrills and, if you have to help paddle, more of a workout), or a wooden dory (the biggest thrill of all). In a motorized raft, you can travel from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead in 8 days; if you opt for a dory or an oar- or paddle-powered raft, expect to spend 5 to 6 days getting from Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch, or 7 to 9 days from Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek, just above Lake Mead. You can also hike in or out of Phantom Ranch for a combination rafting-and-hiking adventure. Aside from the half-day trips near Glen Canyon Dam, any Grand Canyon rafting trip will involve lots of monster rapids.
Most trips start from Lees Ferry near Page and Lake Powell. The main rafting season is April through October, but some companies operate year-round. Rafting trips tend to book up more than a year in advance; some companies begin taking reservations as early as January for the following year’s trips. A few rafting trips charge as little as $250 per day, but most fall in the $300 to $350 per day range; rates depend on the length of the trip and the type of boat used.
The following companies are well established in guiding visitors down the Colorado River to the Grand Canyon: