Many visitors to the Grand Canyon are overwhelmed with the size of it and the sheer amount there is to see. A lot of first time visitors don’t realise that the Grand Canyon stretches over about 1900 square miles and that there are several main areas to see that have very different landscapes and important landmarks.
If you’re planning a visit and you’re not sure what the best places are to see then read on below to find out more about some of the key places to see around the park area.
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West Rim
The West Rim is the most accessible part of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, it’s just over a two hour drive and offers a lot to visitors hoping to see the national park who only have a day or so to spare. Best way to visit is to book your Grand Canyon helicopter tour with one of the helicopter rides offered online.
The West Rim is not the part of the national park that many people have seen in movies or photos, but it does have its own rich history and iconic viewpoints. One of the best ways to see the West Rim is from above.
Helicopter tours are a fantastic way to see the whole area and some of the best things landmarks of the Grand Canyon area can be covered from above. Tourists can expect to see things such as the Hoover Dam, extinct volcanoes, Lake Mead, Guano Point and Eagle Point.
Visitors from Las Vegas and Boulder City can be picked up from their hotels in the complimentary shuttle service. Far easier than trying to navigate there along the highway by yourself!
If you’re looking to really make your trip memorable then top of your helicopter tour from Las Vegas with a champagne lunch on the Grand Canyon floor. Your delicious lunch will be served under traditional Native American Ramada and is a great cultural addition to a fun journey.
There are two main points you’ll also want to visit on foot whilst you are in the area that are well worth seeing.
Skywalk
The Skywalk is an engineering marvel, it’s a giant glass bridge suspended above the Grand Canyon that can hold an incredible amount of weight, so no need to worry if you’re scared of heights, the bridge can hold thousands of people without trouble.
The Skywalk allows guests to feel like they are suspended over the national park and gives guests the opportunity to see over the park without obstruction.
Entry to the Skywalk is ticketed at a very reasonable rate, and ticket prices can be further reduced as part of many of the local tours.
Eagle Point
Eagle Point is one of the most iconic landmarks in the area and the top choice for many visitors. Eagle Point is a rock formation that looks like an eagle. There is a new horseshoe shaped Skywalk at the sight so that people can get up close and personal with the landmark.
South Rim
The South Rim is the area of the Grand Canyon that many people have seen in photos and video of the area. It is home to some of the most iconic viewpoints of the national park and has many different landmarks, hikes and cultural centres.
Go and visit Grand Canyon visit whilst you are in the area. The visitors centre offers some great educational opportunities, including a free video on the Grand Canyon’s history.
There are many historical buildings in the area, including the train depot where Teddy Roosevelt once boarded the train.
The Yavapai museum is also well worth a visit, it explains much of the geological history of the area. If you want to know what you’re looking at when seeing the rock layers then this is a great educational experience.
Desert View
The desert view settlement is only a short distance from Grand Canyon villages and offers views over the national park that stretch for well over 100 miles on a clear day.
North Rim
The North Rim is far more remote then the West or South Grand Canyon, but it offers up some great treasures to those who make the trip.
The North Rim is a higher altitude then the rest of national park and is much cooler than the rest of the park. In the summer months when the heat becomes prohibitive the much cooler North Rim is a great alternative for visitors.
In the winter the area shuts down as snowfall and wild weather make it dangerous for visitors.
The North Rim only sees about 10% of the park visitors and consequently is much more tolerable for those who don’t enjoy the big crowds that the South Rim attracts.
Tuweep
The Tuweep Overlook is a sheer drop viewpoint, difficult to reach but well worth it for visitors to the North Rim area.
