During my 3 months in the US I have heard the word “Awesome” used in all sorts of situations - “an awesome pass”, during a football game, “an awesome meal”, “an awesome body” etc. But using this word in connection with The Grand Canyon is definitely one of the few correct usages of such a superlative. The Grand Canyon is just that: “AWESOME!”

The first sight proper of the canyon, coming upon it from where The Watchtower is situated, literally took my breath away - “WOW!” as I exhale the full contents of both my lungs and take about 30 seconds before I can recover enough to inhale again. The sight has me transfixed for several minutes, just allowing the brain to start to cope with the immensity of the panorama, before I can even contemplate reaching for my camera. Looking through the viewfinder, I realise that there is no way that any picture I can take will even approach doing justice to the place, no way whatsoever.

No matter what you read about The Grand Canyon, no matter how many pictures you see, the television documentaries, the magazine articles: whatever the medium, NOTHING can prepare you for that first impression on standing at the edge looking 1 mile down and 10 across with its length winding as far as the eye can see in both directions. Send Photo to a Friend NPS Info Poster

North Rim or South Rim? The North and South rims offer different perspectives of The Grand Canyon. The North’s views are more horizontal, whilst the views from the South allow you to see all the way down to the Colorado River at the bottom.

Temperatures on the North rim are generally cooler than the South because it is slightly higher and more exposed. In winter the North rim roads are closed off from November to May and there are no visitor facilities in late fall either (during which the roads are subject to closure at short notice).

The South Rim is by far the more popular and is open 365 days a year including holidays and has excellent facilities all year including camping and lodging, restaurants, shops and even ATM facilities.

Car parking is available in several locations between Mather Point and Hermits Rest Transit Point and the area is serviced by free shuttle busses covering three routes: The Village Route, Hermits Rest and The Kaibab Trail and buses can be boarded or disembarked freely at the stops on the routes - see transportation tip.