THE GRAND CANYON

	GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Grand Canyon, Arizona
NPS  Map Directions Vistor Information History What to Do		Where to Stay Where to Eat Camping/ RVs Official Website
The Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world, is certainly a sight to see.  The 1,218,375 acre park is primarily sculpted by the downward cutting of the Colorado River, which flows through the lowest portion of the canyon, and began its work of erosion about six million years ago. If your planning a visit, there are plenty of things to do, places to stay, and sites to take in. DIRECTIONS From Phoenix Take I-17 north to Flagstaff (aprox. 146 miles), to junction I-40. Drive west on I-40 to Williams (aprox. 32 miles). Take Arizona 64 from Williams to the South Rim (aprox. 63 miles). Total miles: aprox. 241 miles, 4 hrs. From Tucson Take I-10 west through Phoenix to the I-17 (aprox. 100 miles).  Take I-17 north to Flagstaff (aprox. 146 miles), to junction I-40. Drive west on I-40 to Williams (aprox. 32 miles). Take Arizona 64 from Williams to the South Rim (aprox. 63 miles). Total miles: aprox. 341 miles, 5.5 hrs. VISITOR  INFORMATION Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle, $10 per pedestrian or cyclist.  Fee is good for good for seven days and includes both the north and south rim.   Special Entrance Fees: U.S. citizens aged 62 or older may obtain a Golden Age Passport for a one-time fee of $10 and gain free admission.  Those in possession of a Golden Eagle Passport, which can be obtained for $50 at any national park, are admitted free.  An Annual Grand Canyon passports is also available for $40.   Backcountry Permits: $20 per each issued permit, plus $4 (non-refundable) fee per person, per night.   Handicap Accessibility (928) 638-7888 Accessibility standards have not been meet by all national park facilities because many of the buildings are historic. However, many facilities can be accessible with assistance. A park Accessibility Guide is available at the Visitor Center or upon request at PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Call (928) 638-7888 with questions or for additional information. The National Park Service provides wheelchairs for temporary day use at Canyon View Center. There is no rental fees. To obtain a temporary parking permit for designated parking, you must inquire at the Entrance Gate, Canyon View Center, or Yavapai Observtion Station. Shuttle Bus Service Free shuttle service is available throughout Grand Canyon Village, from the West Rim Drive, out to the South Kaibab Trailhead during peak season.   For a fee, Shuttle service is also available to Tusayan.   Bank (928) 638-2437 Located next to the Post Office across from the Visitor Center; Mon-Thur 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ; ATM is also available 24-hours.   Camping Supplies and Equipment   (928) 638-2262. Camping supplies are available at Babbitt's General Store, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily.   Auto Repair:  (928) 638-2631 Auto repair services are available at this location, including 24-hour emergency service. Open daily.   Laundry and Shower Facilities Located near the Mather Campground. Laundry and showers are open from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.   Sundry Items   (928) 638-2262. Sundry items are available at Babbitt's General Store, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Medical Services (928-638-2551) There is a clinic and pharmacy located at the South Rim that is open year round.  For more information call (928-638-2551). Emergency medical services are provided by rangers and clinic staff.  North Rim medical services are available May through October at a clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner,  otherwise, all medical emergencies are handled by rangers on duty.   Post Office (928) 638-2512. The Post Office is located across from the Visitor Center. The lobby is open 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily for stamps and to drop mail.   Window Service is available Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.   1-Hour Photo Processing (928) 638-2262. Available at Babbitt's General Store. Babbitt's is open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. HISTORY AND FACTS Grand Canyon National Park, encompasses 1,218,375 acres and is located on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona. The Grand Canyon is 446 kilometers (277 mi) long, about 29 kilometers (18 mi) wide, and more than 1500 meters (5000 ft) deep, about 6,000 feet at its deepest point. The Grand Canyon National Park, which receives about four million visitors a year. The Grand Canyon is primarily sculpted by the downward cutting of the Colorado River, which flows through the lowest portion of the canyon, and began its work of erosion about six million years ago. Although the canyon itself is of recent origin, the rock sediment that makes up its walls are not.  Because the rock consists of deposited marine sediment, this may  indicate that for long periods of time the canyon area was the floor of a shallow sea. A typical section of the canyon consists of nine separate rock layers, piled vertically, one on top of the other: Kaibab Limestone Coconino Sandstone Hermit Shale, layer of soft, shaly rock. Supai Formation, series of shales and sandstones interbedded with each Redwall Limestone, a deposit of light gray-blue limestone, which in many places has been colored red by seepage from the Supai beds above. Temple Butte, a thin layer of sandstone (410 million to 360 million years ago). Brown Muav Limestone, Tapeats Sandstone, and green Bright Angel Shale, make up the next three rock layers.  Cambrian Period (570 million to 500 million years ago). Precambrian Schists and Gneisses, located at the bottom of the canyon and the most ancient rocks of all.  Paleozoic Era (half a billion to a billion years ago).   WHAT TO DO Aerial Tours ATV Tours Guided Tours Grand Canyon Village Helicopter Tours Hiking IMAX Theatre North and South Rim Kolb Studio Hopi House Main Visitor Center The Watch Tower at Desert View Tusayan Ruins Mule Trips into the Canyon Grand Canyon Railway Hermit's Rest   WHERE TO STAY Located Near The Rim Yavapai Lodge Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website El Tovar Hotel Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Bright Angel Lodge Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Kachina Lodge Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Thunderbird Lodge Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Maswik Lodge Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Phantom Ranch Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website  Kaibab Lodge Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim Arizona 86052 Xanterra Parks & Resorts P. O. Box 699 10 Albright Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 928-638-2631 (to reach a guest or make  same day reservations) Central Reservations: 888-297-2757 Website Located Away From The Rim Or Outside Of The Grand Canyon Village Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn 1001 Main St. Tusayan, Arizona 86005 928-928-8888 Website The Grand Hotel P.O. Box 3319 Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023 1-888-63-GRAND 928-638-3333 Website Grand Canyon Quality Inn and Suites Highway 64 / P.O. 520 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 1-800-221-2222 520-638-2673 Website Arizona Rooms Hwy. 64 Grand Canyon, AZ  86023 1-888 473 2269 928-638-3000 Website Grand Canyon Inn P.O. Box 755 Williams (Valle), AZ  86046 928-635-9203 800-635-9203 Website Holiday Inn Express Hwy. 64 Grand Canyon, AZ  86023 1-888 473 2269 928-638-3000 Website Grand Canyon Red Feather Lodge P.O. Box 1460 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 928-638-2414 Website  Map Mountain Country Lodge Bed and Breakfast 437 West Route 66 Williams, Arizona 86046 928-635-4341 1-800-973-6210 Website   WHERE TO EAT The Arizona Room Bright Angel Restaurant El Tovar Dinning Room Maswik Cafeteria Yavapai Cafeteria Babbitt's Delicatessen Arizona Steakhouse Hermit's Rest Snack Bar     CAMPING Camping - North Rim Backcountry Camping Backcountry Information Center Grand Canyon National Park P.O. Box 129 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 928-638-7875, 1-5 pm Website North Rim Campground 1-800-365-2267 Website Camping - South Rim Backcountry Camping Backcountry Information Center Grand Canyon National Park P.O. Box 129 Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 928-638-7875, 1-5 pm Website Mather Campground 1-800-365-2267 Website Trailer Village 928-638-2631 1-888-297-2757 Website Desert View Campground Website