Grand Canyon National Park
Ride A Mule
Mule rides into the canyon have been popular since Bright Angel Trail opened in 1891. To take a mule trip, you must be in good shape, not visibly pregnant, above 4 feet 7 inches tall, weigh under 200 pounds, and speak and understand English. Ask for information on suggested attire. A water "bag" is provided at check-in. Reservations are essential as mule rides can be booked well in advance, but visitors may place their names on a daily waiting list for cancellations. For further information, check at Bright Angel transportation desk or call (888) 29-PARKS (297-2757). Note: To avoid cancellation, prepaid riders must check-in the day before, or before 7 a.m. (summer) and 8 a.m. (winter) on the day of the trip.
Overnight Mule Trips to Phantom Ranch: These memorable trips to one of the canyon's loveliest spots, Phantom Ranch on Bright Angel Creek, offer glorious canyon vistas. Overnight trips depart daily from the stone corral at the head of Bright Angel Trail. Riders spend the night in ranch cabins and awake to a home-cooked breakfast. Lunch and dinner are also provided. The first day's ride takes 5.5 hours; the second day's journey takes 4.5 hours.
One-Day Mule Trips: These popular one-day mule trips to Plateau Point depart daily year-round (8 a.m. summer, 9 a.m. winter) from the stone corral at the head of Bright Angel Trail. Descending about 3,200 feet to the Tonto Platform and Plateau Point, you can view the Colorado River 1,320 feet below. This trail takes approximately seven hours round-trip. Riders should check in the day before at the Bright Angel transportation desk.
Three-Day Mule Trips: From mid-November through mid-March, three-day/two-night mule trips to Phantom Ranch are offered. These allow you more time for relaxation during your stay at Phantom Ranch. All details as above.
Grand Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
