Im going to the Grand Canyon....?

Question

Is it really that great?

Answer 1

As others have implied it depends on what you are looking for. In some ways, the canyon gets hurt by its own fame. Lots of people go there just because it is famous, but with out really knowing why it is famous or what they even want to see and do when they get there. As a result, many people just walk up to the rim, stare at it for 15 minutes, buy an ice cream, and then go home wondering what the big fuss was about.

The canyon offers some of the greatest natural, spiritual, physical and emotional experiences in the world, but you have to have your senses open to them and - like all really rewarding experiences - you often have to work for them a little. For people that make that connection, the lure and magic of the canyon becomes a passion. There are people who were just visiting the canyon and were so caught by it that they left their homes and jobs to live nearby. The Arizona Republic newspaper ran an interesting article about such people last year.

What is it about the place that grabs some people? One thing is that it is so big and so complex that it really is like no other place on earth. You could spend your entire life wandering the side canyons and never see all of it - and everywhere you went, you would be surrounded by fantastic buttes, spires, and gorges in all directions. Other interesting geographic areas might have some bizarre formations or features in a small area of a couple square miles or so, but at the canyon it is like being on a whole different planet - the unusual features seem to go on forever. You look down into the gorge and see a towering stone spire or dramatic side canyon that would be a park or national monument by itself anywhere else in the world, but here they are almost lost against all the others around it.

Connecting with the canyon - seeing the details, feeling the rock and dust beneath your feet, hearing the ravens calling - really intereacting with it, that is what makes it special. To get that experience, you need to get away from the lodges, gift shops, and the most crowded overlooks. Go to the less visited overlooks (Grandview, the ones along the rim trail to Hermit's Rest) and just walk along the edge for a while taking it all in.

Better yet, to REALLY experience the canyon, you need to hike into it a ways - be IN the canyon with the walls towering above you and the outside world shut out (just looking from the rim is like looking at the just the outside of a big historic castle or cathedral in Europe and never going inside it). It is not a good idea to try to go all the way to the river at the bottom and back (a VERY BAD idea during the heat of summer), but there are lots of great little relatively-easy day hikes. On the south rim, I recommend going down the South Kiabab Trail to Cedar Ridge or down the Hermit's Trail to Dripping Springs (even then wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water, give yourself lots of time, and avoid hiking in the heat of the day during summer).

Have fun!

Answer 2

Yes! It is definitely something everyone should see. The enormity of it is awesome, and the varying colors and different rock formations are something you won't see anywhere else on earth. If you like nature activities, there is camping and hiking there. If you are not the outdoor type, half a day to visit several different viewpoints is enough. Avoid the middle of the day, when the sun directly overhead washes out the colors. You are likely to see deer and coyotes on your drive. The squirrels at the canyon will crawl right on your lap, but be careful because they do bite. You might also see condors and vultures in the canyon. If you want to make it a day trip, you can stay in Flagstaff or Sedona and it is less than a two hour drive to the south rim.

Answer 3

It is cool there.. They have stuff around it to for you to go see.. There are also the grand canyon caverns.. You go through a tour and then the shut off all the lights and tell you not to let go of the bridge or you could fall..

Answer 4

It depends on your interest in nature. Thousands of people from the far side of the earth have visited the Canyon and considered it to be unbelieveable, even while looking at it. It is the most spectacular sight that I've ever seen.

Answer 5

I thought it was pretty cool! My fav part were looking at the donkeys! lol Hey I was like 9 when I went but yea! It's really cool!

Answer 6

I wouldn't call it great but there is a great view and is really romantic if you get a spot by yourself with that special someone.

Answer 7

NO! I would either go to Santa Fe New Mexico or San Diego. It's cool to see it once and you could ride mules to the bottom, they do overnight camping trips but I found it kinda boring.

Answer 8

Yes it is worth it. You even have hotels there. Since its summer you don't need anything heavy. A light jacket would work.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

its a giant hole in the ground...my dad dragged my mom, sister and i to go see it and he was the only one amazed at it i asked if i could wait in the car lol.