By Bus
Sightseeing company Papillon has
many options for touring the Grand
Canyon, including bus tours so you
can sit back and enjoy the scenery
on the way. Papillon’s Grand
Canyon South Rim bus tour will
take you direct from Las Vegas to
Grand Canyon National Park. On
the way, the tour also provides
views of the Hoover Dam, the
Mojave Desert, and the mighty
Colorado River.
By Air
There are many commercial and municipal airports located
within several hours’ drive of the Grand Canyon:
• McCarran International (LAS): Las Vegas, NV
• Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN): Grand
Canyon Village, AZ
• Boulder City Airport (61B): Boulder City, NV
If you plan to hike into Grand Canyon
National Park, remember that you’ll be
entering hot and dry desert conditions
complete with steep climbs. Make sure you
pack the following items:
• Weather-appropriate clothing: spring in
the Grand Canyon is mild, but be sure
to pack layers in the event of cooler
days or unexpected snow
• 2 liters of water or more
• Sunscreen and sun protection,
including hat, sunglasses, etc.
• Salty snacks to maintain proper blood
pressure during strenuous hikes
• Whistle or signal mirror for emergency
communication
• First aid kit
Lodging is available in the park; however,
reservations fill up quickly, especially in the spring,
summer, and fall seasons. Check out nearby towns
for other options, including:
• The Historic Grand Canyon Hotel: Located
an hour from the Grand Canyon in Williams,
this hotel dates from 1891 and is the oldest in
Arizona.
• The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel: The
Railway Hotel in Williams, AZ is designed to
resemble a century-old train depot and lets
visitors experience the luxury of a bygone era.
• The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon: Less
than 10 minutes away from the park in
Tusayan, AZ, The Grand Hotel resembles a
sprawling chalet decked out in Southwestern
décor, and is a great option for families visiting
the Grand Canyon.
Campgrounds
Camping is a popular excursion for
Grand Canyon visitors. Due to demand,
campsites need to be booked at least six
months in advance. There are several
campgrounds inside Grand Canyon
National Park, offering stunning views of
the canyon at sunrise and sunset.
RV Parks
Trailer hitches are offered at Trailer
Village inside Grand Canyon National
Park. The nearby communities of
Williams, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ also offer
a variety of RV park accommodations.
• Weather: The Grand Canyon is
temperate in spring, with highs
ranging in the 70s-90s Fahrenheit.
• Cost: Grand Canyon National
Park charges $25 per vehicle
entering the park, or $12 per
person entering on bus, bicycle, or
on foot.
• Altitude Acclimation: The South
Rim of the Grand Canyon is about
6,000 feet above sea level. It can
take up to two weeks for a healthy
person to adjust, so exercise
caution during walks or hikes in
the park.
Be sure to check out the events below during your spring visit:
Earth Day Festival
April 19
Celebrate our Earth with
games, information on local and
national environmental
initiatives to join, and much
more.
Bike the Park Week
May 18–22
In an effort to reduce automobile
traffic, Grand Canyon's Green Team
dedicates one week in May for bike
tours and other riding activities.
2015 Grand Canyon Star Party
June 13–20
For eight days in June, visitors of both the
North and South rims will have a chance to
explore the wonders of the night sky.
Participants can view star clusters,
galaxies, nebulae, and even a few planets.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Skywalk is a U-shaped cantilevered glass
bridge that juts out over the Grand Canyon and
provides the illusion of standing in midair, 2,000
feet above the canyon floor.
Grand Canyon Village Historic District
The original epicenter of Grand Canyon National
Park, the Village Historic District still stands and
pays homage to the area’s vast history. In this
district, you can explore hotels, gift shops, and
museums dating back to the early 1900s.
Mule Rides
Travel the Grand Canyon on pack mule with the
assistance of trained guides. This popular activity
fills up at least 9 months in advance, so be sure to
book ahead of time.
• Sightseeing in Las Vegas: Plan a
Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas
offered by Papillon. Many of the tours
begin and end at your hotel in Sin City,
so you’ll have plenty of time to explore
the Strip during your trip to the
Southwest.
• Tour Hoover Dam: Located less than
four hours from the Grand Canyon, the
Hoover Dam is a breathtaking
example of modern engineering, and
an excellent addition to your vacation
itinerary.
• Canyon Smooth Water Bus Trip:
This rafting trip from Papillon lets you
sail down the Colorado River,
including eastern views of Grand
Canyon National Park and the nearby
Navajo Indian Reservation.
Founded in 1965, Papillon is the world's
oldest and largest aerial sightseeing
company. Papillon offers over forty
unique and affordable excursions that
feature spectacular sights of the Grand
Canyon, the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead,
Monument Valley, and Page/Lake
Powell.
To join an estimated 600,000 yearly
passengers on daily tours of the Grand
Canyon, visit http://www.papillon.com/
for more info.