It's Ashley (also known as WriterGal from the WriterGal Blog) and this is the third installment of my adventures on our Great Western US Road Trip on the Flight Centre Travel Blog. After visiting Zion National Park, we drove about 4-5 hours south to the Grand Canyon, World Heritage Site.

Here are some facts and figures to help you better grasp the colossal nature of the Grand Canyon:

• The canyon is about 365 km long and up to 29 miles wide
• The highest point is about 731 metres above sea level and the lowest is 1645 metres below sea level
• The Grand Canyon National park covers over 4920 square km
• The canyon was formed over 3-6 million years
• It is home to about 88 species of mammal, 250 species of bird, 56 species of reptile and amphibians, 17 species of fish, 300 species of bird, over 2000 species of plants, moss, and other vegetation, and 5 Indian tribes

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass

We drove through the East Entrance to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Ranger at the Entrance told us that if we are visiting more than one National Park in the US we can get a special annual pass for $80 which gives you unlimited access to National Parks that require an entrance fee. We'd already spent $25 in Zion and $25 in the Grand Canyon so we will definitely get this at the next park we visit.

Through the East Entrance...

Your first visit after the East Entrance will be Desert View. This is the largest lookout in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (the parking lot is definitely the largest too). A short walk down the path is an old lookout tower. Head to the outside first and take some photos of the Canyon. This was our first view of the Grand Canyon and it is spectacular!

Next, head through the gift shop at the base of the tower and up the narrow winding stairs to the top of the Watch Tower. If it's busy and you can't get up the tower, don't fret...the view isn't much different and you have to look through dirty windows. The staircases are about 1 person wide so you may have to wait your turn.

Grand Canyon View Points

Along the main road in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon there are several smaller lookouts where you can park your car and walk to a view point. Keep in mind that many of these lookouts have very small parking lots so it may be hard to find a spot in the busier season.

Grand Canyon IMAX Movie

The Grand Canyon IMAX movie is actually not shown inside the park. The theatre is just south of the South Entrance. For about $13 you can watch a short film about the Grand Canyon.

It was not what we were expecting. I expected more park and canyon facts. Instead it was some views of the canyon with a bit of narration about Grand Canyon explorers. A bit of disappointment, but still worth a visit since it is the most watched IMAX film in the world!

Grand Canyon Trip Tips

Here are a few tips for your next Grand Canyon trip:
1. Avoid congestion by taking a free shuttle bus around the South Rim. Three different shuttle routes are available sunrise to sunset to take you to many popular lookouts and areas of the park.
2. If you have a cell phone, you can hear recorded commentary by calling a special information number and entering your stop number (located on signs at the viewpoints). This service is free, but regular carrier charges apply.
3. Have your camera at the ready. During our trip we saw many different animals including deer, elk, and chipmunks. They can come pretty close to the roads and visitor areas so obey the posted speed limits and watch for local wildlife.
4. Pick up a free Visitors Guide. It contains maps, information about park services, and visitor information.

Next stop on our trip: Sin City...Las Vegas!

Ashley Mikulik (aka WriterGal) is a Vancouver-based blogger, writer, editor, print and web designer, Social Media and communications consultant, and amateur photographer and videographer. In her spare time, she loves to take photos, travel the world, drink Tim Horton's coffee and cook (especially desserts). Ashley is an avid traveler and has visited over 19 countries in the past 2 years.

Follow WriterGal's local adventures, product and movie reviews, and tips for small businesses on her blog or via Twitter.