No matter what season you visit, you’ll want to bring an easy-to-carry water bottle and moisturizers for your skin and lips, as well as protection from wind and sun. Weather conditions can change quickly. Layering is the best strategy to help you shift from chilly mornings to sunny afternoons.

For summer hikes, thin cotton is best. The rest of the year, polyester fleece and quick-drying fabrics work well for hiking. Bring a windbreaker as an optional top layer. Mornings and evenings are cool, even in midsummer. Pack at least one pair of long pants along with your shorts.

Even if you don’t plan on hiking, a backpack is handy for a day of rim touring on the park shuttles. Bring comfortable walking shoes or sandals. Sun protection should include a wide-brimmed hat and/or sunglasses with UV-protected lenses. A light, long-sleeved shirt can help shield you from the intense high-altitude sunshine.

A small flashlight is a good idea for long hikes or for walking around Grand Canyon Village at night. Binoculars are great for spotting condors or watching river runners navigate a rapid far below the rim.

For hiking, bring boots that are broken in, plenty of socks, an emergency kit, and trail maps. Pack adequate water, iodine tablets, and salty snacks. In winter, you may need crampons, for sale or rent at the General Store. To cut pack weight, some backpackers forgo tents during summer, but be aware that afternoon thunderstorms are likely in July and August. Bring rope or some other device to protect your food from critters.

If you’re booked on a river trip, bring water shoes or sandals. Check with the outfitting company for what they will provide and a list of packing suggestions. Outfitters usually provide dry bags for gear and clothing, but you may want a smaller dry bag for your camera. A large carabiner will help you keep your water bottle or personal dry bag safely attached to the boat over rapids. If you’re on a paddle trip, you’ll definitely want a heavy-duty moisturizer for your hands.

What you won’t need at Grand Canyon is a tie or dressy heels. So long as you lose the backpack and put on a pair of clean jeans and a nice shirt, you’ll pass—even at El Tovar, the canyon’s swankiest restaurant.