Page 534 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

532  THE SOUTHWEST

Exploring Grand Canyon Canyon Railway, restored steam
National Park trains that make the 64-mile
(103-km) journey from Williams.
A World Heritage Site, Grand Canyon National Park covers The South Rim
1,904 sq miles (4,930 sq km), and consists of the canyon itself, Most of the Grand Canyon’s
which starts where the Paria River empties into the Colorado, 5 million annual visitors come
and stretches from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead (see p507). The to the South Rim, since, unlike
park has two main entrances, on the North and South Rims the North Rim, it is open year-
round and is easily accessible
of the canyon. Its main roads, Hermit Road and Desert View along Highway 180/64 from
Drive, both accessible from the south entrance, overlook Flagstaff (see p520) or Williams.
the canyon. Visitors can also enter the park from the north, Hermit Road and Desert View
although this route (Hwy 67) is closed during winter. Walking Drive (Hwy 64) start at Grand
trails along the North and South Rims offer staggering views Canyon Village and include
but to experience the canyon at its most fascinating, the trails some of the best views of the
gorge. Hermit Drive is closed to
that head down toward the canyon floor should be explored. private vehicles from March
The Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim and the North Kaibab to November, but there are
Trail on the North Rim descend to the canyon floor and are free shuttle buses, and Desert
tough hikes involving an overnight stop. View Drive is open all year.
From the village, Hermit Road
meanders along the South Rim,
extending for 8 miles (13 km).
Its first viewpoint is Trailview
Overlook, which provides an
overview of the canyon and the
winding course of the Bright
Angel Trail. Further on, Maricopa
Point offers especially panoramic
views of the canyon but not of
the Colorado River, which is
more apparent from nearby
Hopi Point. At the end of Hermit
Road lies Hermits Rest, where a
gift shop, decorated in rustic
style, is located in yet another
Mary Colter-designed building.
Adobe, pueblo-style architecture of Hopi House, Grand Canyon Village The longer Desert View Drive
runs in the opposite direction,
P Grand Canyon Village built by Hopi craftsmen and and covers 26 miles (42 km).
Grand Canyon National Park. designed by Mary E.J. Colter, an It winds for 12 miles (20 km)
Tel (928) 638-7888. 7 partial. ex- schoolteacher and architect, before reaching Grandview
Grand Canyon Village has its who drew on Southwestern Point, where the Spaniards may
roots in the late 19th century. influences, mixing both Native have had their first glimpse of
The extensive building of vis itor American and Hispanic styles. the canyon in 1540. Ten miles
accommodations started after She is responsible for many of (16 km) farther on lie the pueblo
the Santa Fe Railroad opened a the historic structures that now remains of Tusayan Ruin, where
branch line here from Williams grace the South Rim, including there is a small museum with
in 1901, although some hotels the 1914 Lookout Studio and exhibits on Ancestral Puebloan
had been built in the late 1890s. Hermits Rest, and the rustic
The Fred Harvey Company 1922 Phantom Ranch on the
constructed a clutch of well- canyon floor.
designed, attractive buildings. Today, Grand Canyon Village
The most prominent is the has a wide range of hotels,
El Tovar Hotel (see p551). restaurants, and stores. It can
Opened in 1905, it is named be surprisingly easy to get lost
after Spanish explorers who here since the buildings are
reached the gorge in 1540. spread out and discreetly
The Hopi House also opened placed among wooded areas.
in 1905 – it is a rendition of a The village is the starting point
traditional Hopi dwelling, for most of the mule trips
where locals could sell their through the canyon. It is also The interior of the Hermits Rest gift store
craftwork as souvenirs. It was the terminus for the Grand with crafts for sale lining the walls
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp550–52 and pp553–5

532-533_EW_USA.indd 532 11/2/16 2:47 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm