ARIZONA

ARIZONA | GRAND CANYON

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

Still Shining

Grand Canyon begins its second century as a national park

By Lisa Davis

NLY ONE OF THE Seven

ONatural Wonders of the World resides in North America: the Grand Canyon. The canyon has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 for being “the most spectacular gorge in the world.”

The visually powerful landscapes, including temple-esque buttes and multihued topography, typically attract 6 million visitors each year to Grand Canyon National Park (nps.gov/grca), which celebrated its 100th anniversary as a national park last year.

To see just a glimpse of what the canyon has to offer, take the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim, which drops into the canyon from Grand Canyon Village and includes the Indian Gardens, a lush ecosystem with cottonwood trees, grasses and a variety of wildlife. Or take the shuttle bus from the village to another hiker favorite, the 7-mile South Kaibab Trailhead, which leads down to the Colorado River.

Hiking, camping, canoeing, biking and other outdoor activities have made the Grand Canyon a popular travel destination for a century, but there are newer offerings, too. In 2019, the area was designated an International Dark Sky Park. The Grand Canyon holds its annual Star Party events in June,

View from the South Rim

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but visiting in the winter and spring promises smaller crowds, shorter lines and easier parking, and the lowhanging sun projects stunning shadows inside the canyon.

Stargazers should stop by the El Tovar Hotel, Yavapai Point or any overlook on Desert View Drive to enjoy the sunset and watch millions of stars shine. And catch sparkling-clear views of the Milky Way at Mather Point and Yavapai Point.

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION