Visitors to the Grand Canyon most often fly into Phoenix, Arizona, or Las Vegas, Nevada, then travel overland via bus, train, or car. Accommodations outside the canyon can be found in the gateway cities of Williams, Flagstaff, and Page. Reservations are a must. River trips and mule tours fill up quickly, and backpacking permits require careful trip planning. Accommodations on the South Rim and North Rim often sell out during high season.

If you travel the Grand Canyon area by car, gas up whenever you get the chance, especially if you plan on exploring roads in the national forest or reservation lands surrounding the park, where distances are great and service stations few. Even on the South Rim, there’s only one gas station inside park boundaries, and it’s 25 miles from Grand Canyon Village. And always, always keep water in the car.

To make the most of your time, do your research in advance. The National Park Service website (www.nps.gov/grca) includes helpful tools for planning a trip, including permit applications, trail closures, and weather conditions.