Updated: 8/6/20
This is the first entry into our new ‘travel close to home’ blog series focusing on the best places open for fun and safe travel during COVID-19.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World is on our list of best places to travel during Covid-19. Not only is it one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States, but it’s also quite easy to enjoy its natural scenery while still maintaining social distance from others.
There are a lot of ways to explore the Grand Canyon, so whether you’re the type that likes to dive fully into a wilderness adventure or someone who enjoys luxurious accommodations - there’s a perfect Grand Canyon adventure for you.
Colorado River Adventure Trips
Last Summer, I experienced the Grand Canyon in what I think is the best way possible. After extensive planning and research with my travel agent, my friends and I booked a trip with Arizona Raft Adventures for an eight-day motor trip down the Colorado River.
Seeing the entirety of the Grand Canyon from all the way down in the Colorado River is truly awe-inspiring. Its lively whitewater sections and vigorous hiking opportunities more than satisfied my appetite for adventure, and mile after mile of natural beauty left me feeling completely new at trips end (despite being more than a little tired after a week on the river).
The best part about a motor trip is that active people of all ages can safely enjoy everything the river has to offer. On my trip of 14 people, ages ranged from 18 to 82!
Now is the perfect time to start talking with your travel agent to get a trip planned for 2021. Call the number at the top of this page to be connected to a Grand Canyon Expert.
Escorted Tours to the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the country’s most popular and well-known national parks and is a featured destination on many escorted tour itineraries. Escorted tours are perfect for those who want to see the best of the Grand Canyon, plus other destinations like Las Vegas, Crazy Horse Memorial, Yellowstone National Park, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Arches National Park along the way.
Grand Canyon tour vacations are diverse and include exploration in more than just the Grand Canyon with topnotch hotel accommodations included in the package. They also feature guided excursions where you can get a deeper insight from experts about your favorite places on the itinerary.
You don’t have to worry as much about planning the minutiae on an escorted tour. These are packages that are pre-planned and crafted to highlight can’t-miss monuments, landmarks, and stopping points for an enriching journey that gives you a taste of many awesome vacation spots.
Backpacking and Hiking the Grand Canyon
If you don’t have the time for a long vacation, or if you want more of an impromptu natural trip to the Canyon, hiking and backpacking could be for you.
The Canyon’s trails are still open for day hikes during the Covid-19 pandemic, and several campgrounds are still open for reservations.
While you won’t be able to get a new backcountry permit for trips in July and August of 2020 at this time, you might want to wait until cooler months to make the trip anyway – Summer temperatures in the canyon are well over 100 degrees during the day!
Be sure to check the NPS page for these permits for more information.
There is so much you can still see and do in our very own backyard in the U.S. Call the number at the top of this page to speak to a Vacation Planner about where you can travel during Covid-19 or for continual updates and deals sent to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Related: American Queen and Uniworld Partner to Offer Discounts to River Cruises
