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GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon
A rail journey through the colorful southwest and unique sightseeing make a visit to the Grand Canyon a truly memorable vacation experience.

Inside Track

Continent: United States

State: Arizona

Established: February 26, 1919

Area: 1,218,375 acres

Currency: US Dollar

Time Zone: Mountain

Popular Trains: Southwest Chief, Grand Canyon Railway

Vacations By Rail to the Grand Canyon: 7

Located in northwestern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a gorge created by the Colorado River running 277 miles long, an average of 15 miles wide and more than 1 mile deep. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World because of its immense size. Nearly 5 million people visit annually to marvel at the deep canyon, the rushing waters of the Colorado River coursing through it, and its colorful landscapes.

The Grand Canyon was a favorite destination of President Theodore Roosevelt, who recognized it and the surrounding wilderness as a National Monument before President Woodrow Wilson deigned it a National Park in 1919. Home to several major ecosystems, the area is one of the most studied ecological landscapes in the world.

Hosting vacationers from around the globe for more than 90 years, the Grand Canyon remains a top attraction for travelers of all ages offering something of interest for everyone. The South Rim is the most visited portion of the National Park and is the only viewpoint accessible by train. The South Rim is also home to the Grand Canyon Village, a National Historic Landmark featuring more than 250 buildings and notable sites.

Grand Canyon Must-See's

• Miner Buckey O'Neill's cabin, the longest standing structure on the South Rim, was built during the 1890's. Its close proximity to a copper mine is no coincidence.



• Mary Colter, an architect for the Fred Harvey Company, designed several buildings on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Her architecture is renowned for capturing the true southwestern flavor. She is best known for designing Hopi House in 1905, modeled after a Hopi settlement; Lookout Studio, completed in 1914 with stunning views of Bright Angel Trail; and Desert View Watchtower, built in 1932, and one of the few locations to offer a view of the Colorado River at the bottom of the Canyon.



• Verkamp's Curios sold arts and crafts when it was built by John Verkamp in 1905. Today it's a visitor center that imparts the history of the Grand Canyon Village.



• Rail and architecture buffs alike will be impressed with two historic train depots used for travel between Williams, AZ and the South Rim of the Canyon. The Williams Depot was built in 1908 and in its heyday was not only a rail station but home to the Harvey House Hotel. The Grand Canyon Depot was built in 1909 and is recognized as one of only 3 standing log depots in the country. It is the only one that serves as an operational station.



• There are many impressive lookouts from which to view the canyon situated throughout the South Rim. The most popular include Pipe Creek Vista and Yavapai Point.

How to Get There
The most convenient and scenic way to travel to the Grand Canyon is by train. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief travels from Chicago to Los Angeles with a stop in Williams, Arizona, where travelers board the vintage Grand Canyon Railway for the remaining 65 mile journey to the South Rim of the Canyon.

Entrance Fees
Nominal entrance fees start at US$8 per person and are required to enter the Park. Vacations By Rail’s train packages to the Grand Canyon include this fee in the price of the program.

When to Go
Grand Canyon National Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from the spring through the late autumn when the weather is most agreeable for outdoor activities.

Trains to Grand Canyon National Park
Travel by train southwest to Grand Canyon National Park is the very best and most comfortable way to see some of the most stunning parts of the U.S. There are two trains that travel to Grand Canyon National Park—and they work in tandem to take travelers to the most scenic section of the Canyon.

The Southwest Chief travels daily from Chicago through the storied American West to Los Angeles. The train cuts across the mighty Mississippi River and continues its journey into the colorful states of the southwest.

Over a century old, the Grand Canyon Railway takes travelers from Williams, AZ to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon via a fleet of vintage locomotives. Travelers will enjoy Grand Canyon history and folklore as well as strolling musicians and entertainment on the 2-hour trip as the historic train makes its 65-mile journey.

Vacations By Rail to the Grand Canyon
Vacations By Rail offers an assortment of rail vacations to the Grand Canyon including:

Visitor Information
Grand Canyon National Park
www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm