7 Things You Need To Know Before You Visit The Grand Canyon

Like, months in advance. The canyon sees four to five million visitors a year, and the summer months are the busiest. If you think you can find a hotel room when you arrive, you’ll probably be paying through the nose for a subpar spot. And that’s if you can even find a room.

If you want to stay in the park, plan on booking at least six months in advance, though you’d be safer looking a year out. For dining reservations, the six month rule applies if you want to get a table between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. If you’re interested in riding a mule to the bottom, be sure to book six months to a year in advance. Basically, anything to do with exploring or getting to the canyon should be booked as far in advance as possible.

Many people don’t take temperature variation into account when they plan a hike around the Grand Canyon. In August, South Rim of the canyon is about 82 degrees on average. However, the bottom is usually much warmer – it averages 103 degrees. Make sure you plan accordingly.

This might be obvious, but training is an absolute must if you’re interested in hiking the canyon. It’s an incredibly arduous trek in intense heat and not for beginners. Plan on training for at least a few months (preferably at high altitudes) before attempting the hike.

You may not feel like paying $4 for a small McDonald’s coffee, but anticipating the higher cost of goods in and around the park will take away some of the sting. Generally, the restaurants in the park are a bit cheaper than those in town but there are a few general stores in town where you can load up on sandwich fixings and picnic supplies.

The park has five lodges and a camping area. Though you might save a bit of cash staying outside the park, you’ll be missing out on spectacular views and will have to battle other tourists and traffic every day in order to get in. Plus, meals and goods outside the park can actually be more expensive. Skip the headache and opt for an in-park stay.

The Grand Canyon is one of the best places to learn about geology and how the Earth has changed over millions of years. Stopping by the museum at Yavapai Point is a great way to educate yourself on what you’re actually seeing when you look down into the canyon.

There are actually plenty of other attractions within the canyon or in the surrounding area that are worth your time. Hopi House is a re-creation of a Hopi pueblo and is a great place to buy Native crafts like Navajo rugs, jewellery and pots. The Skywalk is horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends about 70 feet from the edge of the canyon over the Colorado River, and is a stellar way to experience the grandeur of the canyon if you don’t have a fear of heights and don’t mind dropping about $80 for a ticket. If you’re driving, you should also stop by the nearby Painted Desert east of the Grand Canyon and continue on to Petrified Forest National Park.