Grand Canyon National Park In Arizona

Grand Canyon Nature and Wildlife

Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site, that is 1,218,375 acres in size and lies on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona.

The land is semi-arid and consists of raised plateaus and structural basins typical of the southwestern United States. Drainage systems have cut deeply through the rock, forming numerous steep-walled canyons. Forests are found at higher elevations while the lower elevations are comprised of a series of desert basins.

Approximately 30 bird species breed primarily in the desert uplands and cliffs of the inner Grand Canyon. There are no endemic birds in Grand Canyon National Park. Virtually all bird species present breed in other suitable habitats throughout the Sonoran and Mohave deserts.

Grand Canyon National Park biologists estimate that at least 100 pairs of peregrine falcons nest along the cliffs of the inner canyon. The abundance of bats, swifts, and riparian birds provides ample food for peregrines, and suitable eyrie sites are plentiful along the steep canyons walls.  Also, several endangered California Condor individuals, re-introduced to the Colorado Plateau on the Arizona Strip, have made the eastern part of the Grand Canyon National Park their home.

Grand Canyon National Park History
Although first afforded Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park did not achieve National Park status until 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service.

Today Grand Canyon National Park receives close to five million visitors each year - a far cry from the annual visitation of 44,173 which the park received in 1919. One of the most popular trips is to ride the mulesdown into the canyon. Rafting the Grand Canyon is also very popular and if you want to raft the Colorado River, make sure to get your planning done early!

Grand Canyon Skywalk

One of the most recent projects at the Grand Canyon has also been one of the most controversial.  The Grand Canyon Skywalk is on the west side of the Canyon. It was open to the public March 28, 2007 and is accessed by the Grand Canyon West Road.

Essentially, it was built by the Hualapai Indian tribe and featured as a major Grand Canyon attraction. The U-shaped glass walk extends 65 feet beyond the rim of the canyon and you look straight down 4000 feet to the bottom of the canyon. Currently, the cost is $25.00 per person to access the walk and no cameras are allowed. More information about the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Grand Canyon Natonal Park Lodging

Phantom Ranch in the Inner Grand Canyon
The Phantom Ranch is tucked in beside Bright Angel Creek on the north side of the Colorado River and is the only lodging facility below the Canyon rim.  The Ranch can only be reached by mule, by foot, or by rafting the Colorado River and is a popular stop-over point for hikers and mule riders traveling to the bottom of the Canyon via the famous Bright Angel or Kaibab trails. Open year-round.  Reservations for meals and lodging are required.  A backcountry permit is not required for overnight stays at the dormitories or cabins at Phantom Ranch.  

Kachina Lodge The Kachina Lodge is conveniently located between El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge.  Located on the Canyon rim, half of the rooms at the Kachina Lodge have partial canyon views. All of the rooms are ideally suited for families. Rooms have two queen beds or one king bed, in-room coffee, refrigerator, safe, television, telephone, and full bath. Rooms designed for guests with physical disabilities are also available.