Coconino County, Arizona

Being in the right place at the right time is the biggest challenge when attempting to photograph the monsoons at the Grand Canyon. Paying careful attention to the weather patterns throughout the day can help, but your best bet is to watch the clouds, pick a viewpoint, and take your chances. A fe...

Desert View Watchtower is a 70-foot high stone tower located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once you cross into the park through the east entrance look for the sign for Desert View, it's the first real lookout point in the park and there is plenty of parking.The tower was constructed in th...

The trip requires a backcountry permit for zone BB9 (reserve HERE). Backcountry permits in Grand Canyon National Park are available for reservation on the 1st of the month 4 months prior to your trip date (e.g. if you wanted to go on a trip on May 20 you could reserve your permit on January 1st)....

Coal Mine Canyon is a remote gem of the southwest that borders the Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservation. Coal Mine Canyon is located about 15 miles from Tuba City Arizona, The access to the canyon is off of Hwy 264 between mile marker 337 and 338 (right around 337.25). Once you make the turn off y...

Hike the trail starting from the visitor center and take your time walking along the rim. Be sure to admire the canyon below and the ancient dwellings in the canyon walls. During the right season, there are also beautiful wildflowers along the way. This trail is partially paved and easy to walk.

The trail is a short one - stretching only a mile in length. The only semi-strenuous portion of the trail is at the beginning and end where you start by descending a set of stairs in order to reach the trail that loops around the historic cliff dwellings. Since this is a loop trail, the same set ...

While the Grand Canyon is full of spectacular views, one particular spot has always been a favorite due to the relatively easy access and the ability to separate from all of the action. To access the sunset nook, start at the Grandview Trailhead at the South Rim (a 16 minute drive from the main V...

This trail was named in honor of the military troops that trained here during World War II. Keep in mind, this loop trail is at 7000 feet, so if you are driving up from Phoenix or even Sedona, you may feel a little winded.  However, there is no serious climbs on this hike so you may feel no diffe...

Starting from Downtown Flagstaff we headed west. After making a left turn on Woody Mountain Road, we continued for 22 miles. Woody Mountain Road then becomes Forest Road 231. Continue on FS 231 until you find a killer spot to pitch it! Make sure to be wary of elk herds crossing the roads.We made ...

This loop trail has two different starting points. You can start at the south end of Rogers Lake (which is what I did) or the north end. I hike in a clockwise direction. This is recommended if you are hiking in the late afternoon as I did. The sun will be at your back during the section that has ...

This is a very easy "hike" at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The drive itself is a little long and winding (keep your eye out for deer that bolt across the narrow road, especially at night), but the easy walk that takes you through a plethora of marked, detailed desert life completed by the ...

A two mile round trip and relatively fast hike, Shoshone Point lies only about a mile from the parking lot and is an easy hike along a dirt road to a stunning vista. The trailhead is on Desert View Dr (Highway 64) about 3.5 miles east of the junction of highways 180 and 64. Look for the trail on ...

If you want to see the real Grand Canyon, this is it. The 3 day backpacking will take you down into the canyon to where few people visit. Although the South Kaibab trail is steep, has no shade cover and water and the views are gorgeous. It is best to start from the South Kaibab, hike down to the ...

To access the trailhead, you must take a shuttle in. There is not parking next to the trailhead because the parking lot is very small. From the trailhead you cascade down several steep switchbacks and continue on until you reach Ooh Ah point. Ooh Ah point is a great place for a wide or panoramic ...

There are many ways in and out of the Grand Canyon but the most popular loop is to descend from the South Rim, heading down the steeper South Kaibab Trail and returning up via the easier Bright Angel Trail. Your adventure starts early to beat the sun (and get the views). After getting your permi...

The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long and is full of unique geological formations in all sorts of colors. One of the most striking aspects of the Grand Canyon is its immense scale and the dynamic landscapes it has to offer. There's something about it that makes it extremely difficult to fully c...