United States of America

The Grand Canyon - One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World

Whenever one of the seven wonders of the world are mentioned, either natural, ancient or manmade, everyone normally has a preconceived notion of what they are like from books TV programs or photos. Arizona's Grand Canyon is no exception. No matter what expectation you may have , however, nothing prepares for the initial impact of looking into the immense void that is the canyon. Approaching from the South the first real view of the canyon is at the Mather Point visitors centre. Even as you park your car the Canyon is in view and a short distance away is the rim trail. From that trail a full vista into the canyon is available as it stretches seemingly forever in all directions and down. The car park has disabled parking with view access for vans. The visitors centre is across the road down a gently slope wide path with electrically operated entrance doors with wall mounted panels. The path to the centre, however, is a good 100 yards with an uphill return. The visitors centre has all of the information and ranger services to plan your day in the park. It is also well equipped with accessible toilets. There is no food or drink available at this centre however. A short way down the road is Yavapai point. Here there is an observation building perched right on the lip of the canyon itself. The building has all of the information you would ever want on the canyon, its geology and formation with displays and rangers on hand. This centre also has a limited supply of snacks and drinks and full accessible facilities. The entrance doors are not self opening and are heavy, however there are always people coming and going. The track from the car park is short and of a good grade. During the tourist season, 1st March until 30th November the road to Hermits Rest including the vantage points of Maricopa Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and Pima point is closed to private vehicles. The park operates a shuttle bus that is equipped with lifts and wheelchair seating areas. At each of the vantage points the rim trail is easily accessible with excellent views either from the car park or the rim trail itself. At each of the stops the rim rail is wide and an easy grade. If you can visit during the offseason private cars are permitted along the road to Hermits Rest and its makes it a lot easier to enjoy the park at our own pace with plenty of space available at all paring areas and no crowds to contend with. We had the added bonus of seeing the canyon with snow on the rims. The best point to watch the sunset is Pima Point. The carpark area has a commanding view over the canyon and the rock formations at that point catch the setting sun with great highlights and shadows.
As far as accommodation is concerned I would advise staying outside the park at Tusayan. There is a variety of accommodation available but the Best Western is well equipped with accessible rooms and an accessible recreation room, bowling alley, sports bar and dining area. Parking is easy as is entry via the covered forecourt.
Over the years I have had the privilege of standing on the Great Wall of China, snorkling on the Great Barrier Reef and visiting the ancient Inca City of Machu Picchu. In each case the feeling was that of shear awe, the same feeling that I experienced looking into the Grand Canyon for the first time.

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National Parks Service Accessible guide to the Grand Canyon

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	United States of America The Grand Canyon - One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World Whenever one of the seven wonders of the world are mentioned, either natural, ancient or manmade, everyone normally has a preconceived notion of what they are like from books TV programs or photos. Arizona's Grand Canyon is no exception. No matter what expectation you may have , however, nothing prepares for the initial impact of looking into the immense void that is the canyon. Approaching from the South the first real view of the canyon is at the Mather Point visitors centre. Even as you park your car the Canyon is in view and a short distance away is the rim trail. From that trail a full vista into the canyon is available as it stretches seemingly forever in all directions and down. The car park has disabled parking with view access for vans. The visitors centre is across the road down a gently slope wide path with electrically operated entrance doors with wall mounted panels. The path to the centre, however, is a good 100 yards with an uphill return. The visitors centre has all of the information and ranger services to plan your day in the park. It is also well equipped with accessible toilets. There is no food or drink available at this centre however. A short way down the road is Yavapai point. Here there is an observation building perched right on the lip of the canyon itself. The building has all of the information you would ever want on the canyon, its geology and formation with displays and rangers on hand. This centre also has a limited supply of snacks and drinks and full accessible facilities. The entrance doors are not self opening and are heavy, however there are always people coming and going. The track from the car park is short and of a good grade. During the tourist season, 1st March until 30th November the road to Hermits Rest including the vantage points of Maricopa Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and Pima point is closed to private vehicles. The park operates a shuttle bus that is equipped with lifts and wheelchair seating areas. At each of the vantage points the rim trail is easily accessible with excellent views either from the car park or the rim trail itself. At each of the stops the rim rail is wide and an easy grade. If you can visit during the offseason private cars are permitted along the road to Hermits Rest and its makes it a lot easier to enjoy the park at our own pace with plenty of space available at all paring areas and no crowds to contend with. We had the added bonus of seeing the canyon with snow on the rims. The best point to watch the sunset is Pima Point. The carpark area has a commanding view over the canyon and the rock formations at that point catch the setting sun with great highlights and shadows. As far as accommodation is concerned I would advise staying outside the park at Tusayan. There is a variety of accommodation available but the Best Western is well equipped with accessible rooms and an accessible recreation room, bowling alley, sports bar and dining area. Parking is easy as is entry via the covered forecourt. Over the years I have had the privilege of standing on the Great Wall of China, snorkling on the Great Barrier Reef and visiting the ancient Inca City of Machu Picchu. In each case the feeling was that of shear awe, the same feeling that I experienced looking into the Grand Canyon for the first time. Click on the image to view photo gallery National Parks Service Accessible guide to the Grand Canyon