As North America’s most famous natural attraction, the Grand Canyon attracts millions of visitors each year. Carved out by the Colorado River, the canyon can reach depths of over one mile and the distance from rim to rim stretches between four and eighteen miles across.
Sightseers have a few different options for viewing the canyon. A promontory called Lipan Point is a popular choice on the South Rim. It can be reached by car or bus by taking the Desert View Drive from Grand Canyon Village (located within the Grand Canyon National Park itself). Another popular, but less accessible, option is the Toroweap Overlook, 50 miles downriver from the South Rim.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk, meanwhile, is the newest and arguably the most spectacular viewing platform. The Skywalk is a glass-bottomed walkway that stretches out over the canyon, offering incredible views both across and directly down the gorge. Visitors must pay to use the Skywalk, and it is important to remember that cameras cannot be taken on the walkway due to the glass floor.
For those wishing to get a greater overview of the canyon, helicopters and light aircraft can fly tourists over the area. These can be boarded at the nearby Grand Canyon National Park Airport or directly from Las Vegas and Phoenix.
The South Rim is by far the most popular side from which to view the canyon. It is approximately 90 miles northwest of Flagstaff and 60 miles north of Williams, both of which are in Arizona. The North Rim lies 30 miles south of Jacob Lake on Highway 67. Visitor services are only open at the North Rim from mid-May to mid-October.
Picture courtesy of Paraflyer’s