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.