Grand Canyon
Just a Day Trip from Sedona, Arizona
When thinking about a visit to the Grand Canyon, it is important to plan ahead and choose the region that you would like to see first. The Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 1,218,375 acres in northwestern Arizona and each part offers different viewpoints and highlights. It can be a worthwhile day trip when planned well and is certainly a point of interest not to be missed by anyone visiting Sedona, Arizona. Because of the close proximity to Sedona, as well as the scenic drive between the two locations, it is a popular day excursion well worth the effort. For those Sedona visitors with less time, check out the local helicopter and biplane flights available.
The Grand Canyon is broken up into five distinct areas for viewing and discovery.
The South Rim
The South Rim of Grand Canyon averages 7000 feet/2134 m above sea level. This is the most visited area of the Canyon and reservations for camping and lodging are a must. Be certain to visit the Canyon View Information Plaza to gather all the information you will need to fully experience your trip. On the south rim, the Grand Canyon Village has all of the conveniences of a small town, including a bank, post office, general store, a lodge, laundry and showers, and more. The National Park Service rangers offer a wide variety of interpretive programs throughout the year on the South Rim. All ranger programs are free and open to the public. Topics include: Introduction to Grand Canyon’s Geology, Glimpses of the Past ( ancestral Puebloan village ), Phantom Ranch in the inner Canyon (accessible by mule or hiking in only), or a Kolb Studio Tour.
The North Rim
The North Rim is over 8000 feet/2438 m above sea level. This makes for cooler temperatures than on the South Rim. The three main viewpoints of the North Rim, Point Imperial, Cape Royal and Point Sublime offer a sense of looking across the expanse of the canyon, rather than into its depths.
The Inner Canyon/Backcountry
Backcountry hiking is very popular. Every year more than 40,000 people camp overnight in the Canyon. Overnight permits are sometimes difficult to get so plan well and plan early. This is remote desert territory and don’t forget that you will have to walk back up the canyon in order to get out. Take plenty of water and climate protective clothing.
The Colorado River
For the more adventurous visitor, whitewater rafting tours are available anywhere from 3-21 days. Trips are usually divided into three categories: commercial; private; and one day trips. Be sure to book well in advance as the commercial and one day trips fill up fast. The same rule of thumb applies to the permit application that you must make in order to run a private raft down the river.
Tuweep (also known as Toroweap)
Tuweep is on the northwest rim of the Grand Canyon. The view from Toroweap Overlook is 3000 vertical feet above the Colorado River and offers a unique view of volcanic features, cinder cones and lava flows. It is less than one mile across the canyon to the Hualapai Indian Reservation on the South Rim, making this one of the narrowest and deepest segments of the inner canyon.
