All you need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon
If like many tourists you have made your way into Las Vegas, you’re more than likely wanting to go and visit the Grand Canyon. Due to its popularity it is common to find hundreds of people there at a time which is why we recommend getting a Grand Canyon helicopter tour to cover the area instead.
Many people like the road trip aspect of the experience but when you drive for several hours only to be greeted by hundreds of people it can be very frustrating. Instead of having your pictures photo bombed by a swarm of selife sticks you should definitely consider a helicopter tour to see most of Grand Canyon.
Regardless of how you get there or where you spend your time, there is a lot of information available to tourists that can greatly help them out. Below we are going to explore all you need to know when you are visiting one of the wonders of the world.
Opening hours
Rain or shine any day of the week you can visit this geological wonder. The Grand Canyon is open every day of the year which includes all major holidays. If you really want to have Christmas lunch over looking this crater then that dream can come true. Additionally the National Park that is located in the South Rim is also open 24 hours a day. This is great for those who want to wait for the crowds to die down and see some of the wildlife up close and personal with no intrusions.
While it is common for the South Rim to be packed throughout the entire day, the West Rim location also tends to get really busy between the hours of 11am and 2pm. The West Rim has different operating hours to the other sections due to it being owned and operated by a Native American Tribe and it having several other attractions such as the sky walk. If you want to make it to this section be sure to arrive between the hours of 8am to 5pm throughout October to March and 7am to 7pm from April to September.
When are the best times to go?
One of the great things about the Grand Canyon is that no matter what time of year you want to visit is the best time to go. With that all said and done, the prime times to visit the wonder are during spring and fall due to pleasant weather. It can get really cold during the winter months and the summer heat can really take its toll. However if you do make it down during the winter months, the snow that covers the area really gives it a different feel and atmosphere. During the spring and fall months you can expect temperatures of 80s to 90s and a low chance of precipitation.
You may think that summer is the best time to go but you can easily expect temperatures over 100 degrees. Additionally this is the time of year when all of the tourists frequent the park making it very hard to get a decent picture.
What do you need to bring?
During all months of the year it is important that you bring a suitable amount of water per person as well as comfortable clothing and footwear. You will be sitting and walking for extended periods of time so it is important that you are comfortable and take care of your feet. Additionally you should be bringing along a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen to protect you from the UV rays no matter what the time of year is.
Most importantly you need to bring along a camera to the Grand Canyon. This magnificent area begs to be photographed and forgetting your camera or phone can be heart breaking. If you choose to get a Grand Canyon helicopter tour you can also see if they have their own photography and videography available. Many carriers and brands sell DVDs and USBs with videos and pictures of the day.
Be sure to check in with your preferred brand before leaving your camera at home.
Taking small children
If you have opted to get a Grand Canyon helicopter tour you may be wondering what the regulations are with small children. A child who is under the age of 2 years old is permitted to sit on the lap of an adult during the tour. There are no exceptions to this rule as to adhere to the FAA rules and regulations.
Children under the age of 2 are required to have a government issued form of identification with them as to confirm that they are able to sit on an adult’s lap. Children under the age of 18 are required to fly with an adult at all times.
