More than 6 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year. And for good reason! As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, its jaw-dropping beauty is one of a kind. If you’re planning a Grand Canyon itinerary, it seems straightforward enough, right? It’s a massive area, but there is basically one thing you’re coming to see.
However, many misconceptions exist that could greatly affect your Grand Canyon itinerary.
Our family visited the Canyon’s South Rim and we did a lot of research beforehand. We knew about some popular misconceptions, but during our trip we realized a few more – things many people believe about the Canyon that actually aren’t true. We’re here to debunk those myths so you can plan your itinerary with ease and have a grand time at the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Myths Affecting Your Itinerary
Myth #1: You don’t need to spend a night at Grand Canyon National Park.
Many people visit the Grand Canyon on a day trip. They drive in or take a tour from cities as close as Sedona or Flagstaff, or from as far away as Phoenix or Las Vegas. They arrive mid-morning or later and leave that evening. It can be done. In fact, I did that once, but I didn’t know what I was missing. Turns out, I was missing a lot.
Even if you are short on time, you’ll want to schedule one overnight in the park. That way you can experience the Canyon in the calm before many people wake up and before the day-trippers arrive. You can step outside and see the pink, yellow and purple sky cover the Canyon as the sun begins to rise.
The evening is equally as stunning watching the setting sun light up the Canyon peaks. You can casually eat dinner overlooking the Canyon – not in a rush to get back in your car. Staying out late to stargaze is quite the experience in Grand Canyon National Park, too, as it’s designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Planning to hike some trails during your visit to the Grand Canyon? So are thousands of other people visiting the park that day. Spending the night allows you to beat the crowds to popular trails and lookout points.
It’s all about the experience you hope to have. And if you are like us – seeking an efficient, but not rushed adventure with the most scenic photo ops and overall best experience – you need a night at the Grand Canyon.
Myth #2: You need more than one night at Grand Canyon National Park.
Now that we’ve established you need one night at the Grand Canyon, it’s important to note that you don’t need two. Yes, the Grand Canyon is massive. And yes, there are multiple viewpoints with stunning panoramas. But unless you’re planning to visit both the North and South Rims or embarking on a hiking adventure all the way to the bottom of the Canyon, one night at the Grand Canyon is all you really need. It’s enough time to take in some rim views, catch a sunrise and a sunset, and hike a ways down into the Canyon for even more majestic scenery. Plus, an efficient Grand Canyon visit makes it easy to tack on to a lengthier Southwest road trip, including a trip to Sedona or Utah’s National Park’s.
Myth #3: The most direct route to Grand Canyon National Park is always the best route.
The specific entrance you use at Grand Canyon National Park will depend on which area of the park you plan to explore. The most popular part is the South Rim. This area is the most developed, most accessible, and includes the most iconic views of the Canyon – the ones you see in pictures, calendars, books, and magazines.
Depending on where you’re coming from you can use either the South entrance or the East entrance when visiting the South Rim. However, the most direct route isn’t always the best.
You would think driving up from the south, from Phoenix for example, you should use the South entrance. But the South entrance gets so busy there is often a wait to get in. Sometimes up to a 2-hour wait!
Instead, drive around to the East entrance. It’s less busy and takes you immediately to unforgettable Canyon views along Desert View Drive. You’ll follow this scenic drive all the way to Grand Canyon Village.
So even if you must drive a little further to enter at the East entrance, it’s worth it. You’ll drive right in and access ultra-scenic overlooks that you’d want to see during your visit anyway.
Myth #4: Rim overlooks provide the best views of the Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park includes some outstanding rim overlooks showcasing the sheer magnitude of the Canyon. However, these aren’t the best views of it. If you visit the Grand Canyon and don’t venture down below the rim, you are missing out.
Descending into the Canyon places you right among the rocky Canyon walls with extraordinary views. Include a hike into your Grand Canyon itinerary even if you’re only at the park a short time. Hiking even part way down is impressive and worthwhile.
There are two main trails descending into the Canyon starting from the South Rim – Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail. Both trails offer an experience you can’t get by just driving around the rim. We spent less than 24 hours in the park and still had time to include a hike part way down South Kaibab Trail. Don’t settle for rim overlook views when you can enhance your experience with a short hike.
Myth #5: Ooh Aah Point or Cedar Ridge are the best turn-around spots on South Kaibab Trail.
The South Kaibab Trail is a popular route leading down to the base of the Canyon. While it’s quite an adventure to make it all the way to the bottom, it takes a lot of time and ability. Many people choose to hike just part of the trail to experience below-the-rim views as a day hike.
When researching the most scenic lookouts on the trail and deciding at what point to turn around you may read about Ooh Aah Point. This lookout definitely lives up to its name! It’s an area .9 miles from the trailhead that looks out to stunning Canyon panoramas. So, yes, make sure to hike this far. But there are actually even more spectacular views just ahead.
Some people say to go as far as Cedar Ridge, which is another .6 miles further. But you don’t need to go that far (unless you wish to use the bathroom, as there is one at this stop-off.)
The best turn-around spot is in-between Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge.
It doesn’t have a sign or name, but here’s how you’ll recognize it: You’ll gradually walk down some wide rocky steps that look like this.
Then you’ll come to a rocky point that juts out just before a sharp turn.
Stand on top of this rock and feel like you’re on top of the world!
THIS is the best spot to hike to. After pausing here to take it all in (while taking a boatload of pictures) you can turn around and start making your way back up the Canyon. Your goal is complete.
Myth #6: You should plan twice as much time to hike back up the canyon as down.
This is a popular misconception and is even mentioned on the National Park Service website. It sounds like it would make sense, right? After all it’s easier walking down an incline than up, so why wouldn’t it take twice as long to ascend the Canyon?
Now, of course, everyone has different speeds and abilities, so this isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But there are multiple reasons why you should not assume it will take twice as long to hike up as down.
First of all, on the way down you’re looking directly into the plunging gorge. You see exactly how big of a drop-off it is from the narrow trail you’re walking on. You take your time and watch every step. Plus, the trails can be crowded. Even if you’re not scared of heights, the added presence of people passing by as you view the big drop off next to you means you’ll need to take it slowly hiking down.
On top of that, as you descend further into the massive Canyon incredible views are staring right back at you. It’s jaw-dropping. This is the time when you stop to take all the pictures. Every couple of steps, you’ll be ooh’ing and aah’ing and want to capture the stunning scene.
On the way up, on the other hand, you’ve taken most of your pictures. You see mainly canyon walls and the trail looming right in front of you. You press on hoping to just be done climbing the incline already.
We hiked the South Kaibab Trail down to Cedar Ridge and back. It took us 1 hour 22 minutes to make it to Cedar Ridge and 56 minutes to hike back up. (This even included a stop on the way up to shed some layers of clothing.) We are a family of five that is fairly physically fit, although, admittedly, we were huffin’ and puffin’ a bit.
As always, everyone’s situation is going to be a little different. But don’t automatically assume it will take you twice as long to hike up as it does down.
Myth #7: Bring layers because it gets cooler as you hike into the Canyon.
The idea to wear layers for a hike into the Grand Canyon is a good one, but not because of the reason you might think.
It’s a popular belief that the temperature gets colder the further you descend into the Grand Canyon. Warm air rises after all, right? The truth is the air temperature is generally 20-25 degrees hotter at the bottom of the Canyon than at the rim. Why? The Grand Canyon South Rim sits at around 7,000 ft. in elevation. The base of the Canyon is about a mile down – at 2,400 ft. Air at lower elevations gets compressed and compressed air releases heat as energy. The result is more intense heat at the bottom of the Canyon.
Since temperatures can vary vastly from the rim to the bottom it’s smart to wear layers on your Grand Canyon hike. But prepared to shed those layers the further you descend into the Canyon. Surprised? I was too.
Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Do you have anything to add that would affect someone’s Grand Canyon itinerary? Leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
gI’m particularly interested in the Utah national parks. As two seniors over 75 your advice would rally be invaluable.
It would have been really helpful to have your comments several years ago when visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with my cousin from Scotland.
Thanks for the comment, Maureen. I sent you the Utah National Parks itinerary and packing list. Hope that helps with your planning!