Grand Canyon tours of the south, north and west rims

For those visiting Las Vegas, the nearby Grand Canyon is a must-see attraction. Although many come to this state to enjoy the glitz and glamour of the casinos, this vast natural formation is without a doubt Nevada’s biggest showstopper.

The Grand Canyon is an enormous expanse of land and as such, cannot be seen in its entirety in just a single day. Most tours cover the North, South or West rim, each of which offers its own unique set of scenery and challenges. For some, simply popping into the park and having a peek over the edge is enough to satisfy their curiosity, however for those who wish to explore the area in a little more depth, there are longer tours available.

The South Rim

When most people envision the Grand Canyon, they see the views of the South Rim, one of the most visited areas. Situated in the National Park, more than ninety percent of the visitors to the park come to see the South Rim, as many say that the best views can be found here. The main highlights of it are easily accessible and those on Grand Canyon tours will have no issue with getting close to the best viewpoints. Some of the other attractions here include Lookout Studio, Hopi House and Grand Canyon Village.

The North Rim

With 90% of the visitors to this attraction gather in the South Rim, the remaining ten percent enjoy the calm and quiet atmosphere of the North Rim. Although many say that the views found on the South Rim are superior to those found in the North, a lot of visitors prefer the idea of soaking up the scenery of the Grand Canyon in a peaceful place. Furthermore, the North, although admittedly not as easily accessible as the South, has a wealth of densely packed forests with plenty of hiking trails, ideal for those on activity holidays for singles. The drive up to the many viewpoints in the North Rim is a scenic one, with a historic old lodge which sits on the very edge of the rim.

The West Rim

Most visitors who actually enter the canyon do so from the West Rim. This section of the site has quite strict rules regarding visitation. Despite this, it remains one of the most popular places to begin a tour of the area. The West Rim is home to the well known Skywalk – this is a clear walkway which stretches across the canyon, offering some awe-inspiring views for visitors who dare to look downwards. As well as this, there is a hop-off, hop-on shuttle which offers some great viewing points. In terms of getting to the West Rim, this entry point is situated inside the Hualapai Nation and as such it is not a part of the National Park Service like the North and South Rims are. You can park down by the Grand Canyon West Airport and use the shuttle bus within the park.

AUTHOR BIO:
Emily Steve writes regularly on activity holidays for singles for a wide selection of travel websites and blogs. She is an expert on Grand Canyon tours, having served as a tour guide for the attraction for a number of years.