Grand Canyon?

Not really any reason to go if you've already stood at the edge of a canyon and looked down one mile (never been to a place in OK where I could find something even half that deep). I will say I find the view from the Island in the Sky and Canyonlands more impressive, but that doesn't take away from how amazing the GC is.

Instead of the $25 entrance fee, get an annual pass or a senior pass and visit more of the NP's in the area.

To get the most out of any national park visit means getting out of your vehicle and spending some time listening and watching all that nature has to offer. From your question, I gather this isn't something you usually do. I recommend highly that you try it.

As amazing as the GC is from the rim (North Rim is better and less crowded), the view from the river looking up at night will take your breath away.

The white water raft trips give meaning to "Natural Wonder".

If you go to any national park and have to say "what is there to do" then you're probably not the national park-type of person.

Instead, spend the $25 at your local movie theater and look at trash. :)

While we were there, we met a few people that said the last time they saw the canyon, it was at 600 MPH straight up the center. Glad we weren't there then.

If you have any interest in old trains, I enjoyed the train ride from Williams. They were running GE diesels from the '70s and cars from the 1940s and 1950s the day I was on it. They run a very old steam engine about monthly with online schedule. It seems well maintained, and runs about 40 MPH max, so it isn't a fast 65 mile trip. It drops you off by the Tovar and south rim and gives about 3 hrs sightseeing if you're on a day trip. Even yesterday people were struggling to find parking spots. Railway RV park near the station takes Passport America offseason at less than $25 per night.

i've camped in park previously but enjoyed this as something different.

Be sure to stop by the old cemetery. You can spend an afternoon just reading the inscriptions. Some of them will make you laugh out loud. If anyone knows about the simple black granite headstone that reads "Nevermore", please tell me. I meant to ask a ranger, but forgot. Also if you are lucky, you will watch the sunset as someone 'pipes' the sun down. Don't know if it was a regular thing, but there was a person sitting way out on a ledge with a flute. It was magical!

To all of those having little or no interest in "just a big hole". Please do not attempt to go there, and encourage all others that feel the same way not to go. There is nothing there that would be of interest to you, and even the gift shops are inexpensive and filled with stuff you can order online much cheaper. Go see the big, packed cities and breath all the garbage in the air! Then you won't be bothered by the few that just like to sit on the edge and look.

Listed by most as the #1 natural wonder of the world I guess the $25 admission fee is too high. Just wait until you are a senior and you can see it for $10

rtz549 wrote:
I've never been. Apparently it costs $25 to just "have a look". Worth it? Anything else to do once past the main gate? South side.

4,564,840 people, many from all over the world, thought it worth the $25 dollars in 2013. For myself I have been to almost every great natural and major historic site on the planet (no exaggeration)and the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking experience. One of a kind in THE WORLD. Go. And yes I agree with the poster that advised eating at El Tovar. But you should make reservations for dinner about a month in advance.

at what point does the park begin and a pass is required? can't you go in to a certain point and see this hole in the ground without one?.
bumpy