Grand Canyon National Park

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Established in 1919, the national park has two main visitor areas: Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim and Grand Canyon National Park - North Rim . They offer quite different experiences and things to see. A majority of visitors opt for the South Rim, which is closer to big cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It's also where you'll find the widest variety of tourist facilities (hotels, restaurants and shops) and guided tour outfitters. As for the canyon views, the iconic vistas from the South Rim are most often what you see in calendars and coffee table books. All of this adds up to big crowds in peak summer season.

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If you're after a somewhat quieter visit and are game for a longer drive, the North Rim is your place. At 8,200 feet, the elevation here is about 1,000 feet higher than its southern counterpart. Summer temps are a bit cooler and heavy snow closes the North Rim access road in winter. There's only one hotel, a campground and a sprinkling of places to eat. But the canyon views are no less impressive. No matter which rim you choose, be sure to seek out a solitary spot where you can escape the hubbub and quietly soak in one of nature's masterpieces.