After three beautiful days in Palm Springs, I left this gorgeous, and very hot, town to head back to Phoenix. It was almost time to return home, as summer was waiting for me in Europe. However, I was so close to the Grand Canyon – well, not quite, but close enough – and I still wanted to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, so I did a slight detour to see the Grand Canyon. But driving eight hours just to see the famous National Park. Is it really worth a visit? Especially when I was surprised by a very high entry fee right at the entrance.
Well, arriving tired and hungry later in the afternoon after the long drive, I finally stepped foot on the rim of the Grand Canyon. And wow! What a natural wonder it is. Besides the Pyramids of Giza, this has to be one of the most spectacular sights in the world. At least from what I have seen. It was really an amazing feeling to be here.
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Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a natural formation distinguished by layered bands of red rock, revealing millions of years of geological history in cross-section. There are a few things that nobody clearly tells you before visiting, so here are some things to know before arriving at the Grand Canyon.
Firstly, there aren’t many roads leading to the rim of the Grand Canyon. The Visitor Centre is located at the South Rim, which is the most accessible and popular starting point. Luckily, it was quiet when I arrived, with hardly any tourists around. To enter the centre, you first have to pass through the gate, where the staff informed me that I had to pay an additional USD 100 per person to visit the park. Apparently, these were new rules introduced in 2026. Really? That seemed like a lot, and I was very close to turning back. But after coming all this way, I felt I might as well go in. I had no choice but to pay. It better be worth a visit!
I parked at the Visitor Centre and walked up to the Mather Point viewing point. And WOW! I immediately had the most stunning view overlooking the Grand Canyon. It was really breathtaking. From there, I discovered a fully paved rim walk, which came as a pleasant surprise, as I had expected just one viewing point and that was it. The walkway was perfect, no dirt roads or rocks to climb, just a comfortable stroll while taking in the spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. And it certainly is grand: 288 km long and 29 km wide. Wow!
I think I was the only one walking the Grand Canyon in summer sandals. Everybody else was wearing hiking boots or at least sneakers. Oh well… fashionable till the end!
Walking along the rim and seeing the canyon from different angles, was truly enjoyable. I found the late afternoon light perfect for photos. The purple, red, and blue hues added an extra layer of depth to the canyon. What a stunning natural wonder. Did I say that already? I guess the Grand Canyon really is worth a visit after all. And paying the high entry fee!
P.S. There is also the North Rim. However, it is another 388 km away and can only be reached via one road as well. Maybe something for next time?
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Grand Canyon Village
My legs definitely needed a stretch after the long drive, and I was very hungry. So, rather than driving an hour back to the hotel, I decided to eat at a restaurant in the Grand Canyon Village. And although the Visitor Centre and the Rim Trail didn’t seem too busy, it certainly felt busy at the restaurants in the village. I managed to get a table after a few tries and my bison steak was delicious!
Btw, the village isn’t really a village. I was expecting shops, cars, roads, and more activity, but it’s really just a large parking area for the few hotels built along the rim of the Grand Canyon. I almost booked a hotel here but felt it was too commercial. I’m glad I didn’t.
So, happy to have seen the Grand Canyon and nicely fed, I was now ready for my sleep. So I drove back to the amazing Historic Grand Canyon Hotel in the town Williams, sitting on Route 66. What a day and what a way to finish my USA trip this time!
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The drive & Joshua Tree National Park
Leaving Palm Springs early, the drive to the Grand Canyon and back to Phoenix was long but easy. The roads were pretty straightforward, and the traffic was light. The scenery was mostly desert, and I drove, at one point, almost 160 km without seeing any towns, petrol stations, or signs of life. Not even a car. I could see the road ahead for miles and miles. It felt spooky, but amazing at the same time.
Straight after leaving Palm Springs, I decided to make a quick stop at the Joshua Tree National Park because many say it’s worth a visit. However, after realising there wasn’t really much there, I drove up to the entrance gate, took some photos, and turned around. I did that at the south and the north entry. I was really expecting more. Oh well!
Read my previous blog post here – From Phoenix to Palm Springs – driving in the USA!
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And so…
Leaving the Grand Canyon and the town Williams behind, I knew my triangle road trip was complete when the cacti appeared as I approached Phoenix. I am glad I visited Phoenix and explored more of Arizona. Visiting the Grand Canyon was of course a highlight, and it is certainly worth a visit.
But what else is there to do in this desert? Would I come back here? Most likely not. After seeing one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world, I think my trip to Arizona is done.
I can, however, see myself returning to California. But not before exploring more of Florida and South Carolina. Naples, Miami, Palm Beach… there is much more to discover on this side of America. I’ve also heard that New England is beautiful.
So, as you can see, my journey to explore more of the USA will definitely continue. It really is a huge country.
Read more below…
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My travels to see the World Wonders
I can’t believe I’ve actually seen several of the World Wonders throughout my travels. From five of the Ancient Wonders to four of the Civil Engineering and Natural Wonders, I’m happy to have visited so many of them.
There are certainly plenty of different lists floating around, all with their own categories. And although I’ll probably never see some of them – such as the Lighthouse of Alexandria or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, mainly due to their location – I’ll continue hunting down as many of the other World Wonders as I can. The Great Wall of China, maybe?
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