Grand Canyon National Park
add photosA powerful and inspiring landscape, the Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size; 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep.
20 Reviews for Grand Canyon National Park
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'130 families found this helpful
"Breathtaking!!"
Just returned home from a visit to the Grand Canyon with my 9 year old daughter. Her first words when she saw the Canyon - "Wow, the Grand Canyon rocks!". And it was an incredible sight - I don't think any of the photos that you ever see can prepare you for the breathtaking experience of seeing it for the first time.
We arrived in Tusayan late in the afternoon after driving from Las Vegas and after checking into our hotel headed to the park to spend an hour or so. We made it in time for sunset and it was absolutely stunning. We spent all of the next day hiking around the rim trails in the park. We had perfect weather and an incredible day - except for a little sunburn.
We took the shuttle to different areas of the park and then hiked between points. My daughter was able to keep up though she was exhausted by the end of the day. She's old enough that I didn't need to worry about her doing anything risky on the paths - I would definitely be a bit anxious with young kids. It had snowed the week prior to our visit and one of the paths that we walked turned muddy, then icy and slippery - she was scared for the few minutes that it took us to navigate that part of the trail but we made it ok.
We stopped for ice cream and to buy a baseball cap for sun protection in the Village. Lines for ice cream were very long but it was delicious - I imagine it's very busy in the summer months.
Our visit to the Grand Canyon was a trip of a lifetime!
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0 families found this helpful
"Just as I Remembered!"
What more can I say? It is breathtaking! On our family road trip out west this past summer, we camped two nights in the Mather Campground at the Grand Canyon. Being able to wake up and get on the Rim Shuttle early was fantastic! We did some short walks between stops on the Rim Trail, then used the shuttles for the rest of the time. The market in the village was extremely well-stocked but expensive.
0 families found this helpful
"Wonder of our World !"
Ok, yes, I am aware that there is very little I can say about the Grand Canyon that has not already been said a million times. Of course, it’s never been said by me, and this is, after all, the purpose of this site. The Grand Canyon is truly one of the wonders of our world. The sheer power of wind and water that formed that massive canyon baffles the mind and looking down into the abyss makes one’s imagination run back to the days when it was just a river with green banks just like any other. It’s crazy-making to try to fathom that kind of change actually taking place. But I digress. Now for the banalities: Parking is not readily available close to the lookouts, so be prepared to walk some distance. Trust me, it’s worth it. Be aware that you are in a dangerous place, and keep those kiddies close, because though there is a short wall keeping you from falling, it has gaps and no one is going to watch out for you and yours but you. The rangers do not keep good order, so many people sneak down onto the outcroppings and your little ones might want to follow. It is windy and colder than expected, at least in the early fall, so be prepared with jackets and water bottles because the water from the fountains has a distinctively unpleasant taste. A lot of people hear Grand Canyon and they have some jaded perspective that it’s something their parents found amazing, but nothing that great altogether. It’s more than that, and well worth stopping to have a look, even if you have to take a detour.
0 families found this helpful
"Don't kill me but it was kind of boring"
I know I'm supposed to love this majestic beautiful natural landmark but it was boring. I went as a kid and I was more taken in by the gift shops than the canyon itself. During that same trip, we went to Yellowstone and it had much more to offer. Maybe had we river rafter it would have been more fun but it would also been more dangerous for kids. The shop was my favorite part.
0 families found this helpful
"BEAUTIFUL!"
Pictures can not even begin to express to you the actual beauty of the Grand Canyon. It is the most beautiful place that I have ever been to, and probably anyone has ever been to. I also like knowing that when I go back, it will always look different. The kids weren't very excited about walking around all day, but once we got home, they told me how much they enjoyed it. They really liked the gift shops! (Always emptying my pockets!)
0 families found this helpful
"AMAZING but..."
I am very paranoid about my kids running out there and falling off the giant drop off. There really isn’t the greatest protection of falling off the sides or kids just going. I haven’t taken my kids there yet and don’t plan to until they are in their teenage years. However if your kids are older or you’re not going with kids or not worried like I am then it is a total MUST SEE. You can see all the pictures you want but NOTHING can compare to being there in person and the awe and amazement of the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Very worth the drive!!!
0 families found this helpful
"Awsome vacation"
We have visited the Grand Canyon 6X. The first time we went we decided that we had to come back again to hike the Canyon. We did it and we were hooked! It's an awsome experience. You do have to plan in adavance to make your reservations and prepare all your gear for back country camping, but it's worth it. Many people do it...all ages. the park service sends you a dvd with all the info to prepare for your hike. We loved it so much that it bacame a favorite family vacation. We did the hike from the south rim 4x and fronm the north rim 1x. The north rim is definitely harder, so I would recommend the south rim if it's your first time. Just go to the NPS website for all the info.
0 families found this helpful
"Grand Canyon"
Our family visited both the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon last summer. The north rim is much less touristy and the views there were our favorite. At the south rim, we stayed just outside the park entrance and rode the free shuttle everywhere. Definitely the way to go. We spent two days riding around the park hopping on and off the shuttles. You can even walk some easy trails between shuttle stops to enjoy the views. The only negative part of our visit was the cost of food. Restaurant prices were high--fast food 30 percent more expensive. We did pack lunch in a cooler one day and park inside the park so we could return to our car when we wanted to have lunch.
1 family found this helpful
"A must see for everyone."
I remember visiting the Grand Canyon as a kid and being blown away at the beauty and size of it. I was hoping my kids would feel the same but I may have taken them a few years too early, which is fine since it gives me an excuse to take another road trip. Seeing it with my beautiful girlfriend was amazing and romantic. Seeing it with our little ones was terror. They really enjoyed viewing the canyon and took a lot of pictures but the oldest was rowdy and trying to get closer and closer to the edge. It's a great experience for kids of any age but when they're under 6 it may be a bit more stressful. Especially when they've been in the car for a long part of the day.
The kids did enjoy seeing some wildlife on the way in as they got to see deer grazing on the side of the road. They also saw a chipmunk running around near the canyon's ledge so that was exciting. I'll definitely be taking them when they're a few years older.
Get to the park when it first opens because you won't have to deal with as many guests/tour busses. There is something nice about being one of the only families there in the early morning because it seems more personal. The tour guides (at least at the South Rim) were very friendly and loved educating the kids and the whole family.
If you plan on visiting any other National Parks during your vacation, your park pass will get you into any other National Parks for free I believe.
1 family found this helpful
"Fun If Your Kids Like To Hike"
The Grand Canyon is a gorgeous landmark, and there are fun things to do any time of the day. If you're going in the summer, make sure to go early in the morning to avoid crowded parking and warm temperatures. Hiking is definitely a must, so plan in advance. There aren't a lot of interactive activities for children outside of the hiking scene, so keep that in mind when planning a day trip.
0 families found this helpful
"stay by the rails"
My family went to the GC when my brother and I were little kids and we had a blast. Now as an adult we just went last month and had a blast again! The only thing that scares me with kids and the GC is the huge amount of space where there are no rails. Keep an eye on those kids!
0 families found this helpful
"What a Day"
I grew up in Arizona so I have seen the Grand Canyon may times. My children, who now live in Washington have only seen pictures on the internet. Honestly the pictures do not do it justice. It just so happens on a trip to Arizona we decided to take a detour on what turned out to the be coldest day in decades. The wind was a blustery 20 miles an hour and just the day before it had snowed. The kids took it head on. Reguardless of the weather, the canyon was beautiful and the kids have memories of a life time. One thing I can say, is that next time we go back, it will be a little warmer and I might even take one of the scenic tour bus trips to get to some of the more remote areas. When the kids get a little older we plan to go to the bottom and check it out from the bottom up.
0 families found this helpful
"Grand Canyon!"
I LOVED this vacation to Arizona! This was one of the best vacations I have been on and the Grand Canyon was the highlight. The view is amazing! If you're bringing kids with you, you should pack some snacks for them (and yourself). All of the walking will get you hungry!
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful!"
We loved our time here at the Grand Canyon. There are plenty of vistas with lots to see. I would definitely recommend taking older kids. In some areas, the bathrooms can be too far apart for a walk...we found out the hard way! My husband and I were able to take a helicopter ride alone...so amazing!
0 families found this helpful
"Grand Canyon"
This is one of the most beautiful places. I would wait until my little one gets a little older. I took my 18 year old son, and it was perfect. We took many many pictures and drover around to a lot of the different stops to get different reviews. When we first arrived, we got to see a herd of moose. Everything is spectacular. We got to see some of the history too. I would suggest for younger kids to start the National Forest Passport and collect stamps from all of the parks.
1 family found this helpful
"Paranoid mom moment"
Obviously this is one place everyone should visit in their lifetime. I just would have preferred to wait until my little kids were older. It was snowy and icy when we were there, which still made for a beautiful and grand view. However, when my kids "ran" towards the edge, I panicked. Despite the fencing, I was still near heart attack stage the entire time. So hold onto your kids tightly, and enjoy the view.
The best thing was hearing my oldest son say that it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen!
0 families found this helpful
"Grand!"
It is spectacular and beautiful! A treasure to behold. There is nowhere else like it on earth. Even if you can only tour the rim, it is absolutely breathtaking.
If you are a backpacker, this is the place to go! Check out the nps.gov website for routes and permit request dates. Dayhikes do not require permits but overnights/extended hikes do.
If you're on a time constraint walk the Bright Angel trail. Bring your water and a snack, even for an hour or so.
Such a wonderful, magical place!
0 families found this helpful
"North Rim was awesome"
We took a trip to the North Rim. It was an amazing view and not as crowded as I expected, even with a full camp ground. It is only accessible during the summer and is quite rural, but that is part of the charm. If you go you definitely want to stay in the park, although there are some camp grounds and other places to stay outside the park on the North Rim, it is still quite the drive in. We enjoyed hiking into the canyon and the view from the rim. An amazing trip!
1 family found this helpful
"Weight Limit"
The scenery is beautiful but I wanted to put in that for the mule rides there is a weight limit (220 pounds). One of my relatives exceeded this weight limit so none of us went on the mule ride. We were disappointed about it, and I wish we had known in advance so as not to get our hopes up or have to deal with my poor relative feeling like a bum because of it! Also you have to be older than age 7.
0 families found this helpful
"Breathtaking"
The Grand Canyon was definitely a place where I did not want to miss while visiting family in AZ. It took a complete day trip to see all the beautiful sites. We also took a one hour mule trip which I recommend. It was just amazing to see all the array of different colors you could see on the mountains. Just breathtaking.
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