by Christa Visperas

Created on: July 01, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The earth often guards its most beautiful locations by making these travel gems remote, inaccessible, and hard to explore. Not so the Grand Canyon, which reveals the generous side of Mother Nature, allowing ordinary mortals and adventurous spirits to delight in a magnificent vista that fascinates at every hour of the day at every time of the year. This beautiful gorge, split apart by the great Colorado River, lies in the heart of Arizona, and is the first national park in the United States.

The Grand Canyon is a popular destination because visitors can enjoy many activities around the area and take in the variety of picture-perfect scenery that defies description. One of the most breathtaking images so associated with the Grand Canyon is its world-famous sunset. The movie "Fools Rush In" so vividly captures the beauty of the Grand Canyon, where two lovers philosophize over their cultural differences and eventually got married in the legendary gorge.

Although the Grand Canyon is always a great travel location at all times of the year, visitors who avoid huge crowds should come at the early spring season or by late fall. During the summer season, going on weekdays will offer lesser crowds that normally swell on weekends.

Postcard-Perfect Views

There are quite a few vantage and overlooking locations for visitors who wish to enjoy the scenery. The National Park gives a great view of the magnificent chasm, and so does the Lipan Point in Desert View Drive, Yaki Point, Powell Point, and the Yavapai Point.

For the more adventurous, hiking along the Rim Trail, which extends from Pipe Creek Vista in the east to Hermits Rest in the west is a 12-mile trek offering fantastic views of the Grand Canyon at every step of the way. A mule ride of the Bright Angel Trailhead is also another way to enjoy the Grand Canyon. For the less energetic, a shuttle bus runs up and down the Hermit Road allowing travelers to jump from one fantastic viewpoint to another.

Have Fun Roughing It

The Grand Canyon National Park is a perfect location for camping. To camp outside the many developed campgrounds along the Grand Canyon rim, including all campsites in the Inner Canyon, campers need to obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. A $10 permit fee is required, as well as $5 camping fee for one person for every night.

Aside from the campgrounds, there are also numerous RV parks in and around the Grand Canyon National Park, being one of the most popular ways to stay in the

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