Worth The Extra Effort

Being Utah residents, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch usually write about the attractions that are found in Southern Utah. But, of course, every state has its own collection of amazing locations. And since, in nature, there are no state lines, we’ve added a special section to our blog – “Nearly Nearby Attractions.”

Everyone in the United States (and in most places in the world) knows about the Grand Canyon. We at Lodge want to encourage you to visit this wonder of the world. Even if you have to add it onto your Southern Utah adventure. So, to help encourage you, we’ve come up with some suggestions about what to see on your trip to Grand Canyon National Park.

Photo by Hugo Soons G via unsplash.com

The South Side

Most people visit the south side of the Grand Canyon. (Probably because they fly to Phoenix or drive in from California.) The south side has a lot of scenic overlooks and hiking trails to explore. Check these ones out:

South Kaibab Trail – provides the best views of any short hike. It is well maintained but steep in spots. Water is not available along the trail and there is little shade.

Bright Angel Trail – this is a popular trail for day hikers. It offers shade in some spots, and water is usually available at drinking fountains. Also well maintained.

The Rim Trail– a fairly easy hiking with few elevation changes. It does not enter the canyon, but provides some amazing views.

Photo by Jennifer Rogalla via unsplash.com

The North Side

If you’re coming down from Southern Utah, you’ll probably end up on the north side of the canyon. It’s a bit less popular and a bit more rugged. If you want more of a “backcountry” feel to their Grand Canyon experience, opt for the north side. Of course, there are plenty of hikes on both sides. Check these ones out on the north side:

North Kaibab Trail – the overlooks are perfect “mile markers” for day hikes of various lengths. Supai Tunnel is 1.8 miles down and is definitely worth checking out. Roaring Springs is only a few more miles down the trail.

Widforss Point Overlook Trail– this scenic route is about 10 miles round trip. It’s well-maintained and has shade in some areas. It’s an excellent hike, but is best suited for more advanced hikers.

When you visit the Grand Canyon, on either the north or south side, be sure to stop by one of the many visitor centers. You’ll want to not just for up-to-date trail information and weather conditions, but also because there is a lot of cool educational content to absorb. Visit the official site here to start planning your trip to this so-close-to-Southern-Utah-we-had-to-write-about-it national park! Enjoy!