AOPA Pilot Magazine

August 2007 Volume 50 / Number 8

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Explore the South Rim

By Alyssa J. Miller

John Wesley Powell, the first explorer to successfully lead a team through the Grand Canyon on the mighty Colorado River, once said, "You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths."

Most of us don't have a month or more to spend at the canyon, but we can make the most of the time we do have — and at least sip of its indescribable beauty.

What to do

When you visit the Grand Canyon, keep two tips in mind:

• See the canyon from different perspectives: from above, from the South Rim, and from the bottom.
• Rest when you get home. You're at one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World — don't waste a minute!

Marveling at the beauty of the Grand Canyon from the air is a must. A 45-minute to one-hour flight from Grand Canyon National Park Airport in a helicopter or airplane will take you over the South Rim, along the eastern edge of the canyon to the North Rim. Other air tour packages include one-day and overnight excursions to the canyon.

Often the pilot doubles as the tour guide, pointing out sites such as Kaibab National Forest; Mount Humphrey, the highest point in Arizona at nearly 13,000 feet; and the San Francisco Peaks (supposedly you could see the lights of San Francisco from these mountains at night) before flying over the canyon.

Once over the canyon, you'll see breathtaking views of the blue-green Colorado River and turquoise Little Colorado meeting in a mix of cool hues. White salt deposits dot the reddish-brown riverbanks. Dragon and scorpion canyon formations come to life with the help of the pilot — and a little imagination.

Of particular interest to pilots is the site of the 1956 midair collision between United Airlines Flight 718 and TWA Flight 2 that led to the development of the modern air traffic control system.

Set out by foot or vehicle for spectacular views of the canyon. One-week passes to Grand Canyon National Park are available for $25 per private car and $12 per individual entering by foot, motorcycle, or bicycle.

For early morning sunrises or evening sunsets, the South Rim of the canyon (accessible by vehicle) is the picture-perfect spot. But to truly explore the canyon, leave the car behind.

Nothing can compare to seeing the Grand Canyon in person. But the IMAX movie, Grand Canyon, will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat, heart pounding as you fly through the canyon and watch John Wesley Powell lead a group of explorers down the Colorado River. The movie also includes the history of canyon and sites that can't be seen during the average visit.

Where to eat

Grand Canyon Squire Inn Coronado Room, is a quiet, classy restaurant at the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn in Tusayan, Arizona (open to everyone, not just hotel guests). The locals highly recommend it, and the elk tenderloin is delicious.

Looking for something with a little flare? Sit back and sip some of ol' granddad's sarsaparilla while you listen to country music and enjoy some fried rattlesnake appetizers at the Steakhouse at the Grand Canyon. The indoor dining area is decorated in a western motif with hay bales and saddles, wooden tables and benches, and artwork.

Many restaurants are also located inside Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim.

Where to stay

Half a dozen hotels in Tusayan are located less than half a mile from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (and about five miles from the Grand Canyon). The town seems less than a mile long, and Arizona State Route 64 runs up the middle. Lodging is also available inside the park.

Campsites in and near the canyon can accommodate tents or RVs.

Flying in

If you plan to fly, get a Grand Canyon VFR Aeronautical Chart — noise-sensitive and flight-free areas dot the canyon. Corridors with specific altitudes are depicted on the Grand Canyon sectional, along with the fixed-wing and helicopter air tour routes.

Be on guard for updrafts and downdrafts created by the canyon. Jeff Moore, a retired firefighter/EMT from Prescott who has been flying for Air Grand Canyon for one year, says that he's always watching for unexpected drafts.

Density altitude isn't something to take lightly, even though the runway at Grand Canyon National Park Airport is 8,999 feet long — and has accommodated Air Force One. At 6,609 feet on a hot Arizona day, your aircraft isn't going to perform that well. Michael Cockrum, who's been a firefighter at the airport for six years, says incidents at the airport typically involve pilots flying privately who don't account for high density altitude.

Rental car service is not offered at the airport or in Tusayan. However, you can catch a taxi or shuttle to town or the Grand Canyon.

Some of the operators at Grand Canyon National Park Airport offer flights to and from Las Vegas. If you're visiting Las Vegas and want a one- or two-day trip to the canyon, some air tour companies offer special excursions.

This is one of the best ways to see most of the canyon in a short period of time. You'll also fly over Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon West Airport, which provides access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk (the Glass Bridge at Grand Canyon West). An audio tour, available in several languages, is GPS-programmed to talk about specific locations as the aircraft passes overhead. Combine your flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon with a short air tour of the South and North rims to get a bird's-eye view of nearly the entire canyon.

If you drive to the airport, caution: Watch for elk! When you're driving around the Grand Canyon and Tusayan, employ the same scan you use to watch for other aircraft. Elk hits are one of the biggest calls for the Tusayan Volunteer Fire Department.

If you are heading to the South Rim of the canyon from the east, west, or south, you'll take Interstate 40 to Arizona State Route 64 north. This will take you through the middle of Tusayan to the Grand Canyon park entrance.