5 Mistakes Visitors Make at the Grand Canyon

Every year approximately 5.5 million travelers visit the Grand Canyon.

And they make so many blunders! Some of which are deadly.

Don’t be one of them. Avoid these top 5 mistakes, and make your trip to the Grand Canyon memorable for all the right reasons. Not the wrong ones.

1.      Underestimating the Size and of the Park and Distance Between Entrances

It’s hard for many people to grasp the sheer size and remote location of this inclusion in the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Grand Canyon National Park is more than 1,904 square miles. That’s more than double the size of the island of Maui and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island.

In addition to its size, the park lies far from major cities. Located at the tip-top of Arizona, stretching to Utah and Nevada, much of the area surrounding the canyon is owned by Native American tribes. There are very few roads that service the park.

The North Rim entrance is approximately a 5-hour drive from the South Rim. Grand Canyon West, famous for its glass Skywalk, is managed by the Hualapai Indian tribe and is about a 4.5-hour drive from South Rim.

This means visitors can hardly visit more than more entrance in one day. Plan to start in one location, stay overnight, then travel to another location.

A popular choice is to tour Grand Canyon West as a day trip from Las Vegas, NV. A more in-depth itinerary includes flying into Phoenix, AZ, driving up to the South Rim and staying the night. Head to the North Rim the next day, and continue north in Utah to see several other famous parks, such as Bryce Canyon. Fly home from Salt Lake City.

If you are traveling by airplane with your family, be sure to read Ten Things You NEED to Do Before Flying With Kids.

2.      Hiking Without Being Prepared

The deadliest mistake visitors to the canyon make is to hike down into the canyon without being adequately prepared.

Many hikers aren’t ready for the challenging trek back up. Prepare for double the effort (and time) on the way back up to the rim. The Bright Angel Trail is 9.6 miles to the canyon floor, and the Kaibab Trail is 7.8.

Bringing enough water in the warmer months is also essential. Although the rim is at a high elevation, hikers at the canyon floor can face temperatures as high as 120F in the summer months. Bring plenty of water, salty snacks, and a hat. Learn several other essential reminders for hikers here.

Other hiking mistakes include not getting an early start, so people are on the trail in the extreme heat of the afternoon or at dark, and not using proper equipment, such as well-worn boots, quality socks and sunscreen.

Wondering what your vacation should look like this year? Here it is: Why You Should Go Camping for Your Vacation This Summer.

3.      Not Considering the Weather When You Visit

Another unfortunate mistake travelers to the Grand Canyon make is to neglect to consider the weather for their visit. The area experiences extreme temperatures in the summer and winter, so understanding the forecast is essential.

In the summer, as mentioned above, temperatures at the bottom of the canyon can soar to 120 F. But in cooler months, the canyon’s northern side gets so much snow, the North Rim is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter. (you can still visit if you hike from rim to rim if you dare!)

Another weather phenomenon to consider is summer storms. Although the area receives very little rain per year, thunderstorms in June-August can bring rain, flash floods and dangerous lightning. Be sure to check the weather daily and postpone any hiking if it is not safe.

Looking for the perfect family trip this summer? Read 7 Best Family Vacation Spots in the US.

4.      Showing Up Without Reservations for a Hotel Room, Campsite, Hiking Excursion or Rafting Trip

With more than 5.5 million visitors per year, you KNOW the demand for sleeping accommodations and some activities will be limited. Plan ahead, and don’t be left out!

Hotels at the canyon are run by concessioner Xanterra. They accept reservations 13 months in advance. Be sure to reserve online as soon as you know your travel dates. If your dates are completely sold out, get a hotel room just outside of the South Rim entrance in the town of Tusayan.

Camping spots on the South Rim can be booked six months in advance at recreation.gov. More primitive campsites are available first-come, first-serve at the South and North Rims.

Overnight trips into the canyon also need to be reserved well ahead of time. Phantom Ranch, located at the bottom of the canyon, offers dorms, cabins and meals for weary adventurers. There is a lottery to obtain a vacancy, and meals need to be reserved beforehand. You can imagine it takes a while to get the food to their restaurant!

Another thrilling outing in Grand Canyon National Park is a rafting excursion along the Colorado River. Groups that want to self-guide can put their name in a yearly lottery. Those seeking guided trips can view their many options for companies and types of watercraft with the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association.

Campers should check out 29 Vital Tips for First Time Campers before your trip!

5.      Taking a Quick Photo and Leaving

One of the saddest mistakes travelers make is to see the canyon, take a few photos and leave soon after. Try to have an experience at the park! There are so many ways to understand and enjoy the area more while you are here.

The simplest way to spend some quality time is to go to the Visitor Center first (to get an overview of the canyon, including an informative movie), then walk the developed pathway along the rim to the Village, where the hotels are. It is about 2.1 miles of gorgeous scenery with several learning opportunities for the park.

The Yavapai Museum of Geology center is about halfway in. It is a terrific spot to understand more about the formation of the canyon, as well as buy a souvenir and hit the restroom.

Once you reach the Village, you can either picnic (if you came prepared) or grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants inside the historic El Tovar, Bright Angel or Maswik Lodges. If you want to continue hiking, follow the rim west toward Hermits Rest. It is 8.5 miles to the end.

Be aware that once you pass the Village, the trail grows wilder. It rarely has railings, and there’s no pavement.

If you are too exhausted to make it to the trail’s end, just wait at one of the shuttle bus stops for a lift to Hermits Rest. You can use the facilities, get a snack and see the historic building before hopping on a shuttle back to your vehicle.

More adventurous visitors can hike the Bright Angel trail (9.6 miles) or Kaibab trail (7.8 miles) down to the bottom of the canyon. Some experienced adventurers I know like to hike down, stay two nights and then return to the rim. Going down and back in two days is exhausting. A two-night stay allows you to recover and enjoy the canyon floor for a day.

Another great plan is to see multiple entrances. The Northern Rim features a resident bison herd and grassy plains like you would see in the Midwest. The Western Rim has daredevil views on its glass Skywalk, and spectacular helicopter rides over the canyon.

Whatever you decide is the right plan for your visit, be sure to review all the options and have a good understanding of the ins and outs of visiting Grand Canyon National Park. If you plan accordingly, you will avoid mistakes and have a fantastic trip you will remember for a lifetime.

Author’s Note: Due to Covid-19 the park has many closures in place. See the official Grand Canyon National Park website to confirm what’s open before your trip.