Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
The Grand Canyon National Park is a great place to take a family vacation, especially if the children in the family have an interest in geology, nature, history or ecosystems. The Grand Canyon is divided into five sections, each with its own activities to offer its guests. Not all sections are open year round due to the weather conditions at the higher altitudes and not all sections are suitable for children. These sections are The North Rim, The South Rim, The Inner Canyon/ Backcountry, the River and Tuweep.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is opened for a limited season, generally Mid May to mid October. The North Rim is over 8000 feet above sea level, with the highest point at 8803 feet and overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of the Grand Canyon.
Here children can participate in Junior Ranger Programs. The ranger programs involve the children by aiding them in their discovery of the beauty of the Grand Canyon. A booklet is available at the Visitors Center for the children to fill out while hiking the North Rim. The children are also required to attend a walk or talk with a ranger. The rangers are usually available 4 times per day. When the children have finished these tasks, they meet the rangers back at the Visitors Center to report what they have done and for the ranger to present them with a badge. Other activities available at the North Rim include mule trips, which do not actually go to the river found in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, but are available for one hour, half a day or a full day. The one-hour and half a day trips take place on the rim while the full day includes lunch and goes into the canyon. Many hiking trails of various lengths and three developed viewpoints are available on the North Rim for visitors to enjoy the beauty that the Grand Canyon offers. The Rangers at the North Rim offer many programs for their visitors of all ages and are offered at various times of the day throughout the week. Along with all these activities, the North Rim also offers campgrounds, operated by the National Park Service, for the family who wishes to have a camping experience while visiting the Grand Canyon. These campgrounds do not offer hookups, but do have a dump station. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash and are not left unattended. If the visiting family is not a camping family, then the Grand Canyon Lodge, also located on the North Rim is available. This is the only lodging within the park and requires reservations made far in advance.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon offers many of the same activities as the North Rim. It has visitors centers and a museum. The main difference between the two is that the South Rim stays open year round even though it averages about 7000 feet above sea level and is prone to getting snow in the winter months. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon go to the South Rim so it is usually busier than the North Rim. Activities offered on the Southern Rim include hiking or nature walks with a ranger, ranger programs, a Childrens Reading Circle for the younger visitors, sunset walks, and mule rides. Camping is also readily available at the South Rim in two campgrounds that do not have hookups or in one campground that does offer hookups. Lodging is also available in six different lodges, but reservations are required far in advance.
Mule rides at the North Rim and the South Rim have restrictions. These restrictions are the rider must weigh less than 200 pounds, must be at least 47, must be able to speak and understand fluent English. The rider must also not be afraid of heights or large animals and cannot be pregnant.
The Inner Canyon/ Backcountry and the Tuweep sections are the most primitive sections of the Grand Canyon. These sections do not offer activities for families with children. Day hiking or overnight hiking trips are the main activities these sections offer along with primitive camping. Hiking trails are zoned by the experience of the hiker. Camping requires a permit from the Backcountry Visitors Center. There is no lodging available in these sections.
The River can be an exciting adventure for the family. Rafting trips are available through different companies, but not through the park system. Reservations are usually required far in advance for these trips as they are extremely popular. These trips vary in length from day trips to several weeks and from full service including room and board to the rafters fending for themselves. Most companies restrict these activities to ages 8 and above.
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