Is the Grand Canyon a safe place for a woman to visit alone?

Question

I know there's no where on earth that's perfectly safe, but how safe do you feel it would be for a middle aged lady to go without family or group to hang around with? I want to sit alone on a rock or a cliff and contemplate life for like 16 hours straight!
Live well and do good

I mean getting mugged or attacked or something, mostly. Although if I got hurt, I'd want to be able to get help, too.

Answer 1

Assaults, muggings and theft are rare at the Grand Canyon National Park. I have been to the canyon alone many times (both just visiting and also hiking) and never had any problems.

The park is quite a ways from any major city or interstate, so you don't really have a local criminal element. Also there are plenty of rangers around and everyone must enter and exit the South Rim through one of two main gates (where you must pay $25) which further makes it unappealing to would-be criminals who can find much easier targets and more escape routes in Phoenix or along the interstates.

Crime-wise there are very few public places in this country that are safer than being in a National Park. The few serious crimes that have occurred in the park over the last 50 years have mostly been cases where the people knew each other (ie: family squabbles or fights between lodge employees, etc).

If you are just going to hang around the lodges, major central overlooks and nearby areas, than I would say that you will be very very safe - probably safer than where ever you are right now. If you go to some of the less visited overlooks (mostly the ones to the east of the lodges between Yaqi Point and the East Entrance), you need to be a bit more cautious, but even here you are safer than most public areas.

As far as finding a nice quite place to sit and take in the world goes...

I would recommend hiking down the South Kaibab trail 1.4 miles to Cedar Ridge (the first stop with 'outhouses'). Cedar Ridge has excellent sweeping views of the canyon and many little places to just sit down on a nice flat rock away from the trail a bit and relax. You also stand a good chance of seeing condors and ravens. I always stop here for a while when packing in or out of the canyon and it is a favorite spot of mine for a quick day hike too. South Kiabab is a popular trail and there will other people around to help if you get hurt, etc.

Another good short day hike to get away from it all is going down the Hermit Trail to Dripping Springs (trailhead near Hermit's Rest). This is a longer and steeper hike than Cedar Ridge and is in a side canyon with fewer sweeping views, but it is also less crowded and the fern-lined dripping spring at the end is a very pretty spot with nice shady areas.

If you don't want to do any hiking, than you can still get away from the crowds by walking along the level Rim trail which runs along the rim from Mather Point past the lodges and out to Hermits Rest. Once you get away from the main overlooks, you can find some nice spots to walk off the trail a bit and sit by the edge under a pine tree.

Sometimes it is actually kinda fun to just hang out on the patio area behind Bright Angel Lodge and people watch - people from around the world, tired hikers coming up the Bright Angel trail, bored teenagers with their families, little kids excited about a chipmunk or raven.

Note that although crime is rare at the canyon, problems due to heat and cold are not. You should be aware that the South Rim is at 7000 feet elevation and so gets plenty cold (including snow in the winter). During the middle of summer, the inner canyon gets very hot and dehydration and heat stroke are common. If you plan on doing any hiking at all, wear comfortable shoes, carry plenty of water and dress appropriately for the season.

Note that while being inside of the National Park is very safe, this does not necessary apply to places outside the park boundaries. Flagstaff and Williams (while being generally safe and friendly towns) are along a major interstate and get their share of drifters. Petty theft and vehicle break-ins sometimes occur at various little tourist stops outside the park, especially to the east. I am not saying that any of the above mentioned places are particulary dangerous - just that they will be more 'typical' public places and not as safe as inside the park itself.

Answer 2

The Grand Canyon National Park is very safe to travel to. They have a couple different places that you can stay in the park. They are really nice but the book up fast. You would have a nice time staying there, the lodge is a great place to meet new people and have a bite to eat. There are all kinds of tours in the park, if you are looking for something like horseback riding, taking the donkeys down the trails and even hiking. Yes you have to go with a group, but it is a very safe way to see the park. If you are going to do some hiking be sure to check in the park rangers, make sure you fill out the form to let them know what trails you will be taking and your expected departure and return date and time. This way if you don’t check back in with them they will come looking for you. Take you cell phone, but it doesn’t work everywhere around the park, good thing leave it on and if something should happen they can located you that way. Nothing should happen but, you can never be over prepared when traveling by yourself. Trust me obey all the signs at the park they are there for a reason. The biggest reason that people get hurt here is because they don’t follow the rules. Pick trails that are designed for your skill level, especially important if you are going a lone. You want to make sure to take plenty of water with you; even though it doesn’t feel hot you will be loosing a lot of water. Take a small first aid kit, and some food with you, again we don’t want anything to happen to you, but it is better to be prepared than not at all.
Other than that stuff just use common sense, like you would do anywhere. Stay away from dark places, lock your car, get in and lock the door. Make sure you keep the hotel door locked. Be sure to check in with family members or a friend so they know your plans, also if you feel uncomfortable at any point have someone walk you to your car, or a ranger walk you where you need to go. I don’t see you getting mugged or attacked at the park, it really is safe and they have rangers all over. I have never seen or experienced any violence while visiting the park. The park really is set up and monitored in away that everyone can have a great time. Have a great trip; be sure to take your camera!

Answer 3

It really depends on what you're looking for, and it seems like most people have answered questions only about the Grand Canyon so far. Do you enjoy the sinful fruits of Las Vegas too? Gambling You can gamble just about anywhere! Depending on your budget however, changes the venue in which you gamble at. You can gamble at the frugal hotels and play games for as little as a quarter per hand, or at the nicer casinos on the mid/south strip such as the new Cosmopolitan and City Center. Guns Las Vegas allows fully automatic guns! Head on over to a gun range and rent an AK-47 and shoot the heck out of an Osama bin Laden target. Girls There's plenty of strip clubs, with the newest being the Hustler by the south strip. But it doesn't sound like this is what you're looking for. You can also head on over the the Red Rock Canyon on the west edge of Las Vegas. There is plenty of great hiking out there and, unlike the Grand Canyon, you'll get a beautiful view of Las Vegas once you reach the top! Good luck!

Answer 4

yes. it is safe. national park Rangers.
I live in Nevada. never hear or read of any major incidents out there. Some tragic mishaps in recent weeks when people fell over ....
but if you practice safety you will be fine.

Answer 5

its fine and very safe . grand canyon is one of the most visited places on earth you won't be alone.

Answer 6

Its not safe to be alone but no less safe than it would be if you were a man on your own