Grand Canyon National Park
Only A Day
Even a single day on the South Rim of the park can afford pleasant walks with spectacular vistas and fascinating points of interest. Here's a recommended itinerary if you only have a day:
Canyon View Information Plaza: Stop at Canyon View Information Plaza in the Village to receive an orientation to the park. For more information, please see page 12. (Accessible by free shuttle only.)
Yavapai Observation Station: Catch spectacular views of the canyon from large observation windows. Be sure to visit the new displays and learn about the geology of the park. See The Guide for current program schedule.
Hermit Road and Rim Trail: Enjoy this 16-mile round trip by convenient shuttle or on foot along the Rim Trail. The route includes eight main viewpoints along the Hermit Road.
Desert View Drive: Tracing the South Rim for 23 miles between the Village and Desert View, Desert View Drive features striking canyon vistas, Tusayan Ruin and spectacular views from the Watchtower of the Painted Desert, the Colorado River, the San Francisco Peaks and the Vermilion Cliffs.
Hiking: Even in a day, you can still hike a short way into the canyon along the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails. Remember that aridity and high elevation can make hiking the canyon exhausting, even for the physically fit. Don't overexert yourself and allow twice as much time to hike up as it takes to hike down. Wear a hat, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, bring water and take a jacket because high-desert weather can change rapidly.
Motor Coach Tour: Enjoy an escorted tour of the Hermit Road or Desert View Drive. Please see "Harveycar Tours" on page 44 for more information.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
Looking for Labor Day Park Lodging? It's Not Too Late
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
