Grand Canyon Tours Tips

Read these 12 Grand Canyon Tours Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Grand Canyon tips and hundreds of other topics.

Grand Canyon Tours Tips has been rated 3.1 out of 5 based on 309 ratings and 1 user reviews.
Are there specialty tours of the Grand Canyon available, such as geology tours?

Geology Tours of the Grand Canyon

If you're fascinated by the complex geology of the Grand Canyon, consider a Grand Canyon adventure tour led by a trained geologist. These tours take in several outstanding viewpoints, and give visitors a chance to look for fossils along the way.

You'll learn about some of the Grand Canyon's rock formations, how these rocks were formed, and how the whole area came to be the perfect spot to form the deep gorge of the Grand Canyon. You'll also learn about some of the wildlife and natural vegetation along the rim.

The geology of the canyon is complex, but once you understand the basics the layers and rock formations of the canyon will make much more sense, and you'll be able to pick out a lot more detail as you view the canyon's walls, buttes, and plateaus.

   
What pine trees smell like vanilla?

Take Time to Smell the Trees

Have you ever smelled a pine tree? When you visit the Grand Canyon, make some time to seek out a stately Ponderosa Pine. They are tall, elegant pine trees with long needles, small cones, and a reddish, rough bark.

Walk up to one of these trees, and bury your nose in any cleft in the bark. That's right! You'll discover the rich scent of vanilla when you get close enough. The scent is even more pronounced on a warm summer day.

We always urged tourists to stop and smell the trees during their visit. Some thought we were crazy, but when they discovered the smell, they thought otherwise. To this day, I can't open a bottle of rich-scented vanilla without closing my eyes and thinking of Ponderosa pines.

   
What pine trees smell like vanilla?

Take Time to Smell the Trees

Have you ever smelled a pine tree? When you visit the Grand Canyon, make some time to seek out a stately Ponderosa Pine. They are tall, elegant pine trees with long needles, small cones, and a reddish, rough bark.

Walk up to one of these trees, and bury your nose in any cleft in the bark. That's right! You'll discover the rich scent of vanilla when you get close enough. The scent is even more pronounced on a warm summer day.

We always urged tourists to stop and smell the trees during their visit. Some thought we were crazy, but when they discovered the smell, they thought otherwise. To this day, I can't open a bottle of rich-scented vanilla without closing my eyes and thinking of Ponderosa pines.

   
Is there a Grand Canyon guided tour that takes in other parks or areas of interest nearby?

Tours to the Grand Canyon

A Grand Canyon tour doesn't have to originate in or near the Grand Canyon. Many Grand Canyon guided tour operators organize longer tours that take in several parks in the Southwest, such as Bryce, Zion, North Rim, South Rim, etc.

Some of these tours concentrate on the Northern Arizona area, including Monument Valley, the Hopi Mesas, Petrified Forest, Sedona, and Flagstaff. Traveling to the Native American lands east of the Grand Canyon is especially interesting, and off the beaten path for most tourists, even in the summer months.

If you have two or three weeks to spend exploring the desert southwest, look into a specialized Grand Canyon guided tour to see the most for your money. Many of these tours include all meals and lodging, while others ask you to provide your own meals.

   
Who offers mule rides in the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon Mule Rides

Perhaps one of the most well known tours of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon mule ride. These mule rides have been operating for decades with an excellent safety record. Riders can choose from a day trip to Plateau Point with excellent views of the Colorado River, or an overnight trip with a stopover at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon.

Only one Grand Canyon tour company offers mule rides on the South Rim, and that is the park concessionaire, Xanterra. You can make reservations up to 13 months in advance. If you don't have a reservation you can put your name on a waiting list in case of a cancellation. In the summer, the list can be extremely long. Visit the transportation desk in the Bright Angel Lodge to put your name on the list.

There are many regulations mule riders must meet. The ride is rigorous, and the mules often walk right on the edge of the trail. If you're afraid of heights, this trip may not be for you.

   
Are there restrictions on riders for the Grand Canyon mule ride?

Mule Trip Tips

Don't sign up for a Grand Canyon mule ride if you don't meet the qualifications. The trail boss will not allow you to ride if you don't meet them. The restrictions include:
• Women cannot be pregnant.
• You must weigh less than 200 pounds with all your gear. They WILL weight you before you begin the tour.
• You must be at least 4' 7" tall.
• You have to understand fluent English so you can respond to commands quickly and efficiently.
• You have to be in good physical condition.
• You shouldn't be afraid of heights or large animals.
• You shouldn't have any serious health conditions.

Mule rides are strenuous, and shouldn't be considered lightly. Heart and respiratory problems can be enhanced at canyon's elevation, so take all these considerations before you book this Grand Canyon tour.

   
Do some of the airlines offer a Grand Canyon group tour for visitors?

Group Tours From Grand Canyon Airport

If you fly into the Grand Canyon, ask if there is a Grand Canyon group tour though your airline, or an airline partner. Many of the small airlines that fly into the canyon partner with group tour companies, or offer their own group tours.

These tours can run from a Grand Canyon day tour to a multi-night stay combined with lodging inside or outside the park. They may also include other Grand Canyon tours, such as mule rides, raft trips, or helicopter rides over the canyon.

Because there are so many group tour operators at Grand Canyon, visitors have many choices when they plan a Grand Canyon group tour, including customized itineraries and private groups tours from many companies.

   
What kind of Grand Canyon adventure tours are available?

ATV and Hummer Adventure Tours

Adventure and the Grand Canyon go hand in hand, so it's not hard to plan a great Grand Canyon adventure tour. In Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai lands, many tour companies offer extreme off-road tours with SUVs or Hummer's as the vehicles of choice.

There are also a variety of ATV tours of the forest lands outside the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Many of these tours are geared to first-time riders, but check with the tour operator if you've never ridden an ATV before.

These tours all have experienced guides who know the area and the natural history of the area you'll see on your adventure tour. Many of these tours can be booked in combination with other adventure tours, such as helicopter rides or raft trips down the Colorado, too.

   
Do I really need to take a tour to see the Grand Canyon?

Group Tours and the Grand Canyon

There are several things to remember when you choose a Grand Canyon group tour. First, most of these tours have a solid itinerary that does not have much room for spontaneity or additional exploration. You'll have a certain amount of time at each viewpoint, period.

You'll probably travel with a large group, so there won't be much time for personal interaction with the tour leader, either. You'll spend a lot of time boarding and leaving the bus or van. Finally, putting several tours together to get a complete picture of the canyon can be pricey.

On the other hand, with a group tour, the tour guides are usually extremely knowledgeable about the Grand Canyon, and you'll learn a lot more information than you would on your own. You don't have to worry about driving, and often tour costs cover entry fees and meals, too.

Some people love the structure of a Grand Canyon group tour, while others find them too confining. Decide what fits your needs and expectations before you choose a Grand Canyon group tour.

   
What should I look for in a Grand Canyon tour package?

What to Look for in a Tour Package

When you purchase a Grand Canyon tour package, don't purchase by price alone. A lower-priced tour may offer substandard lodging or transportation, and probably won't include meals. Many tour packages offer high-end lodging, meals, and even entertainment in some cases. If a tour package isn't specific about lodging and other elements, steer clear of that tour.

If your package includes a river or air tour, find out what company is providing the additional tours. Check out their websites and see if you can discover how satisfied customers are with these tour companies. Or call the local Better Business Bureau to check on customer satisfaction. It's fairly easy to set up an Internet site, book tours and provide them. However, legitimate tour companies offer value and service to their clients, so be sure to look for both when you shop for a Grand Canyon tour package.

   
What should I look for when I choose a Grand Canyon tour company?

Choosing a Grand Canyon Tour

With all the tour companies offering tours to the Grand Canyon, it may be difficult to find the tour company that's right for you. Look for a Grand Canyon tour company that has been in business for a while and has experience under their belt. Also look for experienced guides who really know and understand the area.

Watch for local tour companies too. It simply makes sense that locals will know the hidden hot spots to visit; while an out-of-town tour company may just cover the basics. There are several local companies located in Williams, Flagstaff, and Tusayan offering tours to the canyon, and some of them offer unique tours like hunting for fossils on the South Rim.

   
Are there hiking tour packages available at the Grand Canyon?

Grand Canyon Hiking Packages

If you're looking for a unique Grand Canyon tour package, consider hiking the canyon with an experienced guide. Several companies offer tour packages that include gear, food, guidance, and all necessary backcountry permits. Many of the companies also set up and take down all the gear, all you need to do is carry your own gear and hike.

Hiking the Grand Canyon can be treacherous, so heading out with a seasoned guide makes sense. Not only do they know what to expect up ahead on the trail, they do all the cooking and cleanup. They also are knowledgeable about the canyon's history and geology, so they can answer questions you might have along the way.

Most hiking tour operators will create custom tour packages for special groups or special needs situations. Some are even flexible enough to fit you in to a tour at the last minute. Many of these hiking tours also take non-maintained trails that are more difficult to hike but much more rewarding in scenery and serenity.

   
Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Grand Canyon Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Sherril Steele-Carlin
Buy My Book