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| Travel Channel: Travel Channel Feature - The Grand Canyon National Park |
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Geological History
Carved by the power of the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is possibly the world's, well, grandest example of erosion. Other forces of erosion shaping the canyon include running water from rain, snowmelt and tributary streams that enter the canyon. The wildly rugged shape comes from the response of rock layers in the canyon walls to erosion. The varying layers erode at different rates, forming slopes and cliffs. The canyon's beautiful colors are a result of different minerals in the rocks.
Park Activities
The Canyon View Information Center is a great starting point for park visitors. Information, maps, books and rangers offering suggestions are at your fingertips. Hiking and driving are the most popular ways to explore the Grand Canyon and its environs. There are a few "must-see" stops and trail heads visitors will want to explore. Bright Angel Trail is the most popular route and descends to the Colorado River. Desert View and the Watchtower allow hikers to take in views all the way to the Painted Desert and Utah's Vermillion Cliffs. And Mather Point and Grandview Point offer sprawling vistas as well. Visitors will also want to explore Village Loop Drive and East Rim Drive, which are sprinkled with many of the canyon's most scenic lookouts.
Where to Stay
A surefire way to fully experience the glories of the Grand Canyon is by camping under Arizona's twinkling night sky, sleeping just steps away from the canyon rim. Nestled amid ponderosa pines, the North Rim campground is more tranquil and less crowded than the popular South Rim campgrounds and offers better views of the canyon.
Side Trips
Though it might have been tame for the likes of Billy the Kid, a mule trip down the winding trails of the Grand Canyon lets you live out your Old Wild West fantasies (minus the shootouts and ponchos, of course). Two-day trips to the Colorado River and a one-day trip stopping at Bright Angel Trail or Plateau Point are available to visitors. Plan ahead -- trips fill up nearly two years in advance. For more information, contact Amfac Parks & Resorts at (303) 297-2757 or on the Web at www.grandcanyonlodges.com.
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