Grand Canyon National Park
Ride A Mule
Mule rides into the canyon have been popular since Bright Angel Trail opened in 1891. To take a mule trip, you must be in good shape, not visibly pregnant, above 4 feet 7 inches tall, weigh under 200 pounds, and speak and understand English. Ask for information on suggested attire. A water "bag" is provided at check-in. Reservations are essential as mule rides can be booked well in advance, but visitors may place their names on a daily waiting list for cancellations. For further information, check at Bright Angel transportation desk or call (888) 29-PARKS (297-2757). Note: To avoid cancellation, prepaid riders must check-in the day before, or before 7 a.m. (summer) and 8 a.m. (winter) on the day of the trip.
Overnight Mule Trips to Phantom Ranch: These memorable trips to one of the canyon's loveliest spots, Phantom Ranch on Bright Angel Creek, offer glorious canyon vistas. Overnight trips depart daily from the stone corral at the head of Bright Angel Trail. Riders spend the night in ranch cabins and awake to a home-cooked breakfast. Lunch and dinner are also provided. The first day's ride takes 5.5 hours; the second day's journey takes 4.5 hours.
One-Day Mule Trips: These popular one-day mule trips to Plateau Point depart daily year-round (8 a.m. summer, 9 a.m. winter) from the stone corral at the head of Bright Angel Trail. Descending about 3,200 feet to the Tonto Platform and Plateau Point, you can view the Colorado River 1,320 feet below. This trail takes approximately seven hours round-trip. Riders should check in the day before at the Bright Angel transportation desk.
Three-Day Mule Trips: From mid-November through mid-March, three-day/two-night mule trips to Phantom Ranch are offered. These allow you more time for relaxation during your stay at Phantom Ranch. All details as above.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
High Mountain Meadows at Rainier Melt Away
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
Yellowstone Justifies Tag as World's Most Famous National Park
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
The Best National Parks You’re Not Visiting #2: Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
Park budget Is Continued
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
Be Green and Stand Out this Halloween
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
