Grand Canyon National Park,
Arizona
The Grand Canyon National Park is the 15th oldest national park in America and often considered to be one of
the wonders of the world. The park is divided in two: the
South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim is the more
popular half, offering up roads to drive through for added accessibility, and plenty of activities, like whitewater
rafting and guided tours. The South Rim is even complete
with a “town” of sorts, where you’ll find a hospital, stores,
lodging, and even shuttles to help you get where you need
to go. The North Rim is harder to get through, but less busy
and just as beautiful, and has several lookout points worth
hiking to, including Roosevelt Point. President Roosevelt
himself said, “You cannot improve on it [The Grand Canyon]. But what you can do is to keep it for your children,
your children’s children, and all who come after you, as
the one great sight which every American should see.”
The Grand Canyon National Park displays miles of trails
for hiking and exploring. Guided mule rides can be taken
to travel downward several thousand miles into the gorge
if you’re not so good at scaling the formations. The Canyon itself was created over many years of erosion from
the Colorado River, and more than 1 million acres make
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up the total area. Daisies, American Plums, Sego Lilies and Pricklepoppys make up
some of the 1,500 types of plant life that can be found
within the park. Ponderosa and pinyon pine forests
grow on both rims, and each habitat is influenced by
the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. You might catch a
glimpse of the California condor, the largest bird in
America, which calls the Grand Canyon home. Other
animals to spot include tassel-eared squirrels, bighorn sheep, Mexican spotted owls, mountain lions,
coyotes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and a handful of different species of lizards. Backcountry camping (camping anywhere in the park unattended) is allowed, as
long as you obtain a permit first.