One of the most common family road trips that Americans think of is the traditional trek to the Grand Canyon. More then 20 years later, I decided it was time to finally tackle one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, while also experiencing my first road trip.

As Roosevelt fittingly said, “Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world. I want to ask you to keep this great wonder of nature as it now is. Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.”

The best way to avoid crowds is to come at the right time of year. The busiest time is from May to September, which is also the hottest, especially down in the Canyon. Crowds start to dwindle in late August, as kids are getting ready to go back to school and many travelers return home. I took the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon during my spring break, mid-March in university and it was the perfect time to go. It wasn’t crowded, but it was still warm during the day and not too chilly in the evenings

The Grand Canyon is so immense, it can be overwhelming to the point where people simply stop at a few viewpoints, take a few pictures and then leave feeling underwhelmed. The view from the South Rim is where you will find those stunning panoramic pictures, but to really experience the Canyon, you should take the time to do at least a short hike down below the rim. This change in perspective only reinforces how massive the canyon truly is. There are plenty of day trails to use, but I personally enjoyed the Bright Angel trail and the Kaibab Trail. These trails are decently paved and accessible. There are also multi-day hikes that are available, but those take some planning and preparation. Watching the sunset is a popular activity at the Grand Canyon and the overlooks can fill up on crowded summer evenings, although when I went in the spring – it wasn’t a problem. It is recommended that visitors take the shuttle bus from the main Village to the Hermit’s Rest Road for a superb sunset experience.

I would highly recommend spending a night if not two, camping at the Grand Canyon. I’ve never seen stars shine as clearly and brightly than when I was lying at my campsite on a blanket, gazing at the immense twinkling sky above me. It was an ethereal experience, especially to wake up in the morning and go hiking into the massive gorge of the world-renowned Grand Canyon. These few days here will make you feel small and appreciate the world around you, along with the power of Mother Nature. I would suggest that you bring your own food, and enjoy a meal around a campfire rather than pay for the overpriced, mediocre meals that are offered there. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a lovely ice cream cone after a long hike though.

The Grand Canyon definitely lives up to it’s name, it is grand. The Grand Canyon is so majestic, you want to capture the moment with your camera, over and over.  But you have to tell yourself to stop. You don’t need 245 pictures of the Grand Canyon, you really don’t. The best piece of advice I have for you is to put the camera down, sit on the side of the rim and take it all in. Some of the best moments at the Grand Canyon were just being able to sit on the edge and staring into the endless maze of canyons.

Xoxo,

Lexi