I have been to Grand Canyon more times then I can count starting at 4 years old - 57 now - it's a new experience everytime too - different scene from winter, spring , summer & fall - north rim is closed in winter due to major snow - was born in 4 corners area in Arizona - travelled all of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico & Colorado - just these 4 states alone have so much to offer with different terrains & such natural beauty - I love this country 🇺🇸 🙏😇💕
@european-reacts you don't realize how gigantic it is until you stand at the edge. It looks surreal. The video doesn't do justice at all. The grand canyon is way way way better in person. I was completely speechless.
There are other canyons in America almost as beautiful, but nothing as GRAND as the GRAND CANYON... Not even close... Seeing it for the first time is like seeing the ocean for the first time, awe inspiring... You will NEVER forget this moment...
@@european-reacts Andre, the reaction they had is extremely common to people who see the Grand Canyon in person for the first time because the grandeur and enormity of it is staggering to the psyche and knocks the wind out of most visitors. People also often become dizzy and disoriented because the sheer scale of GC overwhelms the senses until people are able to adjust. The whole experience is mesmerizing and for the 500 billionth time underscores that America is really, really, really, REALLY BIG.
Native American here. I have been multiple times at many different ages. Nothing can prepare you for the sight of the Grand Canyon. No photographs, paintings, nothing can truly represent to size and beauty of it.
It's hard to get your brain to accept the size of what you are looking at. Several minutes down Bright Angel trail with nothing visually changing followed by the few hours climb back up help but not as much as you'd think. I came away with a better definition of the word vast.
I was a tour guide for a southwest tour. The Grand Canyon was one of the stops. When we let people out of the bus by the south rim. Almost everybody went silent and most cried!! The scale and emotions was unbelievable and they said so. They couldn’t believe their eyes and couldn’t hold the emotions. I’m crying as I write this. You have to be there to understand!!
No matter how much you know about its statistics, no matter how many pictures you see, even an IMAX movie, you’re never prepared for the first sight of Grand Canyon. You actually nailed it. It’s because it’s a place you don’t just see with your eyes, you see it with your soul.
For me, it was like looking at a photograph. You can't see the side of the canyon that you're on, because it's too steep, and you're (hopefully) not quite enough of an idiot to step all the way to the edge; and the other side is so far away that the fact that you're looking through air becomes relevant, visibly reducing the clarity of your view. Then you drive a couple of miles down the road to another lookout point, and look across at... exactly the same photograph, because the canyon is so large that the mile or two that you've moved along the rim, makes basically no difference.
I'm an Arizonan, born and raised, and I've been to the Grand Canyon several times. If I could only use one word to describe it, it would be, "awe." That's what you feel when you see it in person. If you go there, you should also visit Sedona. It's not that far away, and is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the world. So beautiful that it's spiritual for many people.
Make a great two- or three-day circuit of these stops plus Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater. Northern Arizona is incredible. (And don’t get me started on the paradise that is Havasu Falls.)
I have visited the Grand Canyon multiple times, from multiple directions. No photograph, no video can truly prepare you for the scale and grandeur of it - the mind struggles to truly take it all in.
I live in Phoenix Arizona, and I can tell you this: pictures can not do it justice. When you see the Grand Canyon in person it is beyond comprehension. Your brain has trouble processing what you are seeing it is so massive and beautiful. You have to see it in person to truly understand the magnitude of it. It is truly one of the most amazing sights you can behold with your eyes. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it. Need to go back for sure. Spectacular.
When I went to The Grand Canyon, it made me feel small and insignificant. There are places in nature that humble you. The Grand Canyon is one of those.
Us Native American tribes hold it sacred; a bringer of life in the high desert. I had to show my Swedish girlfriend (at the time) when she wanted to see my reservation. She was emotional in Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Shiprock, Canyon De Chelly and the Petrified forest. The Grand Canyon is like looking into the past and seeing what our ancestors saw as well. That feeling is indescribable.
I couldn't agree more. In my experience of ALL those places, I had no words! I just felt like a minuscule spec on the earth up against the forces that created those wonders!
It was always my dream since childhood to see the grand canyon, and my father would say, "We will someday." Well we never were able to go. Well on May 10, 2014 my father passed away. He was the most amazing and compassionate man I've ever known. Well on May 10, 2018, I went to the Grand Canyon and I stood on the South rim and looked up and said, "We made it dad. We made it." And I stood there and cried. A woman had heard me, and came up and just held me as I cried. Then it became a miraculous joyful moment. I will never forget.
Thank you for sharing. That made me tear up a bit. I finally got to see it in 2011 and was amazed by how big it really is. You just can't get the size from comments and flat pictures.
I’m so glad you finally made it to the Grand Canyon. Your story really hit my heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. The Grand Canyon is definitely a beautiful breathtaking site. The first time you see it and every time after.❤️✌️🌼
I’ve been watching these tourists react to America videos for a couple hours now and it has made me realize i need to be more present and appreciate the country im so blessed to have been born and raised in, thank you for the perspective!
I don’t agree that Americans take our country for granted. The very fact that our National Parks have millions of visitors every year is proof that Americans are traveling this great nation and appreciating all it’s beauty. 🇺🇸❤️.
True! We live in Portland, Oregon and we go out every Sunday to explore. We are right in the middle of so many different beautiful places! Desert, beach, forest. Sometimes we will go hike around some of the falls, sometimes we will go up the mountain and over it into the desert, or the other direction to the coast and hike through the forest to the beach. We definitely appreciate how lucky we are to be so close to so much beauty.
I heard so many languages when I was at the Grand Canyon that I realized its not only so many Americans come here but also people from all over the world.
Incomprehensible. Your eyes see it, but your brain can't understand it. The size and volume is unfathomable. There is no photo, no words, no way to accurately describe it. It was touching to see how much it affected her, but it was more touching how much it affected him that it affected her so much. She's a lucky girl. My mom cried, too. She said she could feel God. Something as vast as The Grand Canyon reminds us how small we are and how fleeting our time here is. We are so small in the grand scheme of time and you feel the history around you.
Many years ago my husband lost his job and to cheer him up I suggested we get out of Los Angeles and go to the Grand Canyon. We drove and got there after dark with snow flurries as we parked outside our motel, a nice one. He thought the snow dancing around was dirt until we got our of the car...he was born in southern California and had never seen snow so that was a first for him! We spent the next day at the Grand Canyon and with each passing hour of the sun the colors changed, all of them beautiful. Clouds came and that changed the look. We decided to stay another night and booked a room in the original hotel at the Grand Canyon. Our room was old and not really luxurious other than size (huge) but it had a humongous deck which was right at the edge of the canyon. I'm a very early riser so while having coffee saw the daybreak there and it began snowing! I mean to tell you I cried I felt so honored to see the beauty of the canyon and the peacefulness of it all.Wonderful experience for both of us.Highly recommend everyone go.
I rafted through the Grand Canyon with friends for six days from Lee’s Ferry to somewhere past Lava Falls. At night we slept on top of the sleeping bag (it was early June) falling asleep to the sound of the murmuring river and watching the shooting stars above. It was probably the most sublime experience of my life. I recommend that trip to all who are harboring a dream of the Grand Canyon.
ASTONISHING. It's the largest single thing you can see on the surface of the earth. It completely fills your field of view; it's literally bigger than your eyes can see. it's breathtaking. Something everyone should see once in your life, as it makes you aware of just how tiny we are in this universe.
@@pacmon5285 yes. Which is why, I think, people who have never been there sometimes have a difficult time getting up the enthusiasm to visit. (“Why on earth would I want to visit an enormous hole in the ground?”). Only people who have been there can understand. Frankly, when I went, it was on a National Parks tour, and I was much more excited about seeing Yellowstone and Grand Teton, for example, than the Grand Canyon. But now I’m glad it was on the itinerary. Amazing.
There is also another canyon called Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, it is said to be four times bigger than the Grand Canyon. I am sure both are beautiful.
I live in Arizona - home to the Grand Canyon. I confess that for 20 plus years my attitude was one of disinterest. I thought it would be nice, but I didn’t feel the draw to make the drive to see it. I finally went and… Everyone is right. This place is special. It touches your heart in ways hard to describe. It’s more than just a pretty view, it has a feel you have to experience for yourself.
I grew up in paradise, Hawaii. But the first time I visited the Grand Canyon, I finally knew what God's country really was. The depth of the canyon is so deep and unexpected. Because it is below ground level, you don't know what to expect until you're at the rim. You feel like God just touched you.
as someone who grew up in AZ, I actually think Waimea (?) canyon on Kauai was a smaller, prettier version of the Grand Canyon when I finally visited it.
@@Sunset553I haven’t been to Grand Canyon but Canyonlands National Park, canyon after canyon as far as the eye could see, river just gnawing over eons and eons. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. All I could think was “God, Ancient of Days”.
@@kaysnyder3882 I did think I should see some regular canyons first. I should check out Canyonlands. This might all be a dream. Physically I’d need to be be stronger
What I think is funny is those of us from the states who visit your absolutely stunning home feel the exact same way as you when you visited the Grand Canyon
I am an American. I have driven along I-40 "past" the Grand Canyon access exits many times. Over my life, I'd heard all these fantastic words about it. Last Oct., my wife & I actually went there. Indeed, no words do the scene justice. One simply must go to appreciate the scale of it. Will admit, had me choked up as I sat in the ampitheater of the Maher Lookout area. Wow. If can some day go, do so...
When I walked up to the edge I honestly got emotional as well.being an American I still get emotional at the beauty here. I am sure each country has beauty but the vastness of the west is just awe inspiring!
You just can't imagine what it feels like to walk up to the edge of that awesome natural wonder. It really pulls your breath right out of you, like a gut punch. And catch the colors waking up in the morning as the sun rises. I've never seen rock walls actually come to life before that moment. Awe inspiring
On a plane trip to Las Vegas my plane flew lower and slower over the entire grand canyon on a beautiful sunny day. The captain even announced he was doing this since we were ahead of schedule. I had a window seat and was overwhelmed by the beauty and how huge it is. Thank you pilot! I hope I get to see down close some day. Either way, it is a memory I'll never forget.
In a word the Grand Canyon is BREATHTAKING. Everyone says this but it really is true - pictures cannot do it justice. The first time I saw it my heart beat faster and I actually held my breath as a bird flew right over my shoulder and soared out over the vast openness of the canyon.
My wife and I were shocked when we simply walked across the parking lot and across the street and there was the Grand Canyon. It just blew us away that you could walk right up to the edge with no barrier and the drop was several thousand feet down. Absolutely breathtaking. And as the sun went down you just couldn’t believe the colors. Truly an amazing place to visit.
Definitely, make sure you start each day with your camera ready to take many photos and wear it around your neck...so it is easy to get to... I highly suggest getting to the rim before sunrise...and and hour before sunset...photos of the Grand Canyon at these times are most dramatic and beautiful. Have all the equipment you will need to take very many photos (at least a hundred or more..not kidding) and/or hours of video.
I saw it for the first time this year. Incredible, awe inspiring and unbelievable. Everyone has seen it in pictures and movies, but you haven't seen it until you see it with your own eyes. There's no other explanation. It's impossible to describe it. It's almost so impressive there are not words for it. It's a sight to behold that you just have to see it to appreciate it the immensity and scale of it. It's beautiful and stunning. Absolutely not over rated.
I was stunned when I saw it the first time. My mom talked me into it and I'm so glad she did. I got emotional as well. Pictures and videos just cannot prepare you for the experience. Several years later I took some of my students from Arkansas to San Francisco--about 11 years go. None of them had seen the Grand Canyon, so I made the trip on our way back. They weren't that excited about it because I think all of them wanted to just get home, that is until they saw it. They were stunned, and spent a few hours just silent. They still thank me for the side trip.
As a teenager in the Boy Scouts I backpacked through portions of the Grand Canyon over three Easter breaks. As many here have said, the scenery is literally breathtaking, arguably the most stunning panorama on the planet. Down in the canyon your perspective shifts as local terrain narrows the views and reveals a variety of colors and rock formations, plants and animal life. On the first trip we hiked the South Rim Hermit's Rest Trail over to the Bright Angel Trail (famous for its mule trains). The first trail was in such bad condition (slides, boulders, etc.) that it was closed 2 weeks after our trip. Near the end of the trip we crossed a bridge over the Colorado River to a campground on the North Shore. It was a balmy 24C that afternoon, a beautiful sunny day on the river at roughly 2000' elevation. Perfect t-shirt weather. The next morning we hiked out up the Bright Angel trail and set up our tents at a campground not far from the trail head, on the South Rim (elevation 7,200' ) . We bedded down for the night... and woke to freezing temperatures and an April snowstorm. The following year my troop hiked down from the South Rim to the Havasupai Reservation, passing through the village there. We saw many of the famous waterfalls, eventually making the day trip from a campground all the way down to the Colorado River. The scenery along the watercourse is very impressive (google Havasupai Reservation and Mooney Falls). I highly recommend the strenuous trip, but you MUST obtain reservations first (there's a lottery system--space is limited and demand is high). These days you can helicopter in/out if you can afford it (and the tribe has space available on the flights). My third trip took us through the Navajo Reservation down to the Rainbow Bridge. Back then the site was a mile or more from Lake Powell, but I've seen photos of the lake extending beneath it in years since. On that trip I remember sleeping in the open in and waking to a herd of wild mustangs moving through our camp in the moonlight, one of the most remarkable things I've ever experienced.
I was able to do a 3 day backpacking trip starting on the North Rim (8000ft elevation) and taking 2 days to descend to the river (about 2500ft elevation, I think). and 1 day to hike out to the South Rim (about 7000 ft elev.). Standing on the rim and looking out into it is indescribable and photos never do it justice. I’ve stood on the rim and watched a storm taking place over the canyon, but not where you are at. If you ever get a chance to go to it, please take the time (and plenty of water) to walk at least a mile or so down one of the trails. The feeling below the rim is a totally different experience . If you get the chance to hike down to the river, that is another experience of its own. That 3 day backpacking trip was a once in a lifetime adventure I’ll never forget. I am a 72 yr old American woman--did the trip in 2010.
@@JulesfromHouston it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, with all the planning and permitting done by someone else. Just had to show up on the right day with tent, sleeping bag and backpack. My sister is 10 years younger and was also able to go. We worked out for 2 months and I dropped about 20 pounds to make up for all the equipment, water and the camera I wanted to take. I had been to the canyon in 1966 on a family vacation, but only on the South Rim (main tourist area). This trip started on the North Rim, mid-May. Still snow on the ground where we started. In the upper 80’s down at Phantom Ranch at the bottom. Was a fabulous, unforgettable trip.
Yes, there is a very emotional response in seeing the Grand Canyon, especially for the first time. No picture or video can relay the enormity and beauty of the Canyon. The first time I saw it, I did get emotional and shed a few tears at its beauty.
Years ago my daughter and I took a 3-day guided raft trip down the Colorado River through part of the Grand Canyon (there are longer trips as well). To truly appreciate its grandeur and magnificence, that's the way to go. Seeing it up close, sleeping under the stars, taking hikes to waterfalls. An experience of a lifetime.
@@ThomasThorson I am so jealous. I thought I had seen it in the mist spectacular way, a small plane that actually flew below the rim, but your trip sounds even better
I live 90 minutes from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's beyond words! What you're seeing is the width in his video. The Canyon is about 7 miles wide, so you're not looking at the length. You cant see the length from the ground nor from aircraft. You can only see the length of the Grand Canyon from space. That's how big the Grand Crayon is. One of Gods master pieces.
All my life I've heard how seeing the Grand Canyon in person was an almost spiritual experience. I saw the pictures, was in awe, but doubted the gravity. Then I experienced it in person. I will never forget the immensity and gorgeous display.
Peaceful. I was just there in June. When you look out into the distance, nature just envelopes you. The sight, sounds (or no sounds), and smells. It recharges your soul.
Native to AZ and when I visit the Grand Canyon I forget so many people travel from around the world to see it because it's in our "backyard". It really is breathtaking and hope everyone gets a chance to visit and enjoy Northern Arizona.
My parents took us from Massachusetts to the West coast for a three week vacation, when I was fourteen years old. They took us to as many points of interest as they possibly could. Mostly California, but we went to Reno, Tahoe, Las Vegas, The Hoover Dam, Tiajuana, MX, and, for the icing on the cake, we flew through the Grand Canyon in a small plane. It was positively GLORIOUS! I am now fifty six, and woud love to take my wife to see Grand Canyon. I know I would appreciate it a lot more than I did as a child.
I’ve been to the Grand Canyon three times and I highly recommend anybody that is lucky enough to see it to take the time to go to the north rim as well. Because so much of the American West is breathtaking beautiful it is referred to as God‘s country. The term originated in America in the mid-1800s when trying to describe or convey its beauty to others. A few years ago I took my 14 year year-old niece on one of my trips out west, we visited Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Bryce, and Zion national parks (my brother asked me not to take her to the Grand Canyon because he wanted to be the one to give her that experience ). Before we left I was trying to explain how beautiful the West was and that when we left she would feel a profound sadness and she rolled her eyes at me. Two weeks later when we were leaving Yellowstone she said to me with teary eyes I don’t know why I’m crying but it feels very sad to leave this place. I was really glad she was one of the people that really gets it. This is just my personal opinion but I think that people that look at the Grand Canyon and see nothing but a big ditch have a glitch in their brain making them unable to recognize and appreciate such beauty.
I think part of what makes a lot of people think that the Grand Canyon is just a big ditch/hole in the ground is that, as so many people who have left comments here have said, they’re getting that impression from pictures and videos of it that they’ve seen, and none of them do it justice compared to being there in person and looking over the (in my case) south rim for the first time. I would not necessarily call it the most beautiful place in the world I ever seen, but I would call it the most awe-inspiring. That’s my one (hyphenated) word for it. I’ve never been to a place that literally made my breath hitch when I first gazed upon it. It’s the most amazing spot on earth that I have yet seen…
@@peterbarbera5485 On one of my visits to the Grand Canyon a waitress at the Chili’s restaurant in Flagstaff greeted us with “let me guess you drove all the way out here just to see the big ditch”. I have also met a few people who took side trips from Vegas to see the Grand Canyon and said they didn’t get what the big deal was, it was just a big ditch.
I so wanted to see the Grand Canyon, it is 1,000 miles from where I live. But I am almost 77 years old and cant travel far, so these videos will have to do. So Thanks to all of you who share with those of us unable to see this Beautiful place !!!
I’m from beautiful San Diego, CA, but when I first saw the Grand Canyon I couldn’t hold back the tears. It was overwhelmingly beautiful and awe-inspiring. It made me feel as if there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish if I set my mind to it. ❤
The first time I went there I camped overnight, watching the sun set and then enjoying the sun rise is awe inspiring. The evening sky is full of stars like you never see. You feel so small and so connected in an indescribable way.
As Americans we take our country for granted. It's absolutely beautiful. The Grand Canyon. The Rocky Mountains. Yosemite. Niagara. Beautiful deserts. Smokey Mountains. Incredible wildlife. A Massive coast line. And so many other beautiful places I left out.
There's plenty of us americans who know what we've got and love it to death, good and bad we take in stride. I could spend the rest of my days traveling and I'd still never see all that I wish to before I pass
@@kingjellybean9795 I agree. I've visited places from Washington State to Florida, Texas to Montana and many states in between. I will never be able to see all I want of my country in what's left of my lifetime.
Europeans see the images of URBAN Manhattan with all of the concrete jungle seen in the musical West Side Story, but less than fifty miles away, less than an hour's drive, there is Upstate New York with forests and small mountains, I shall say tall hills (I have seen the Rockies) of a GREEN landscape, not brick and concrete...
The most astounding to me was Yellowstone. Also, I once worked and lived at a guest camp in Colorado which bordered Rocky Mountain National Park, so I took hikes into it every day. Pure beauty.
When I was 60 I backpacked from the North rim to the south rim. Believe me when I say You could spend the rest of your life trying to come up with a bunch of words to describe the Grand canyon and fall terribly short. You cannot describe the feeling with just one word.
@@user-calm_salty It's important to understand that wonder doesn't equal proof of a god. It's easy to confuse getting chills with ghosts. It's biology creating experience that has to be explained. Like water plus a perspective beyond one human lifetime equals the Grand canyon, the Hawaiian islands, the stars, the planets, and most everything else. I hope your belief in a god helps you, but it doesn't appear to be benefiting your understanding of geology specifically.
I'm an American and went to the Grand Canyon for the first time in 2022. It is breathtaking -- it literally takes your breath away. The scale of it is what you miss when you aren't there in person. It makes you feel so small and reminds you that Earth is a wonderous place.
As someone that lived over 50 years in Arizona, I will say driving the extra 6 hours to get to the north rim is worth it. The north rim lodge restaurant was really good when we stayed there. It cantilevers over the north rim of the canyon. Frankly they could serve you cold hot dogs and stale chips and would still be one of your most memorable dinning experiences.
Took the family last year. Flew into Vegas stayed a night at Caesars Palace next day drove to Williams AZ stayed at train station hotel next day rode train into GC hiked etc stayed at lodge on rim next day explored until train back to Williams for the night. Then back to Vegas 3 nights at MGM. Beatles love, shopping etc. The family loved it. Best trip so far. Been on three continents 7 countries for context. The Grand Canyon railway is the best way to do it if with kids. Fantastic place for whole fam
Magical!!! A friend and I hitch hiked here with 35 hits of Purple Haze in 1975. Stayed at the campground and shared with many people. Hung out with a Havasupai artist for several days who told us things about the place that''s not in the tourist pamphlets. That week is etched in my mind forever. The Canyon takes your ego, crumples it up and throws it over the edge. Life-changing!
Imagine how big it could possibly be and it is much bigger. Imagine how deep it could be yet it is much deeper than that. Imagine how beautiful it could possibly be.
My wife wanted to do sunrise and sunset photography of the canyon. The second evening thunderstorms moved through. I asked, she said we are going cause who knows when we will get back. The storms kept many tourist away, only a few dozen people. The rain was ending as we approached the rim....There was a rainbow extending nearly halfway into the canyon. It was there for nearly an hour. We got tons of photos and yes it brought tears to my eyes.
9:22 that's the typical US Newspaper station. We had them all over the city here in Evansville Indiana. You put in US Quarters for the price, and the door unlocks. Some people used to steal them and then sell them on the corner in the business district during AM commute.
An interesting fact about the canyon is that the rim is at an elevation of 7000 feet (2.1 km). It’s up high, and it’s desert but in season it gets cold and snowy. When you realize the canyon was eroded by the Colorado River over the eons, you might envision the river just digging down deeper and deeper. But what actually happened was the surrounding land was geologically uplifted to a high elevation while the river “fought” that tendency and managed to maintain its flow, cutting its way through.
@@Big_Tex Big Bend is also fantastic, we took a 2-day canoe trip down the Rio Grande there. Camped on a sandbar on the Texas side, but had lunch on a sand bar in Mexico. Amazing hiking and fossil trails as well. Visiting all of the state parks in Texas is a monumental goal. I envy your drive and enthusiasm.🤠
It actually did not happen over “eons”. GOD created this glorious place during the super-powerful flood He sent over the whole earth thousands of years ago, during the time of Noah. Noah’s Arc still sits atop Mr. Ararat today right where the Scriptures say it rested.
My first impression of the Grand Canyon was that it couldn't be real. It was simply too beautiful, too mesmerizing, too out-of-this world. It quite simply took my breath away.
I've driven by several times over the years, but never stopped to actually take the road there, until 4 months ago. I must say that it is Breathtaking to actually see. What surprised me most was that from the parking lot you walk towards it expecting some initial preview, but then parting some pine trees, you see a railing and BAM! there it is, right in front of you. Literally, your standing at the edge of the cliff looking over miles of canyon.
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was from the South Rim, not far from where they were standing, at a similar time of day. Seeing their reactions, I both smiled, and shed a tear. One word to describe my emotional response - overwhelmed. There are places in this world that are humbling to look upon, and place mankind in perspective. I feel that this is one of those places.
The Grand Canyon is a colorful desert canyon that commands respect. I live in northern Arizona (where the GC is located). Sadly, I see many people that are so out of touch with nature that they don’t appreciate it. It’s nice to see the emotions it brings to others that do. I appreciate your reaction & the vlog of the couple that shared their experiences. Thank you.
Being from Arizona, I’ve been there many times. It’s MASSIVE! If you fly into Phoenix, you drive to Williams (a couple of hours is nothing here) then can take a train from Williams, to the Grand Canyon. Beautiful ride and there’s a fake robbery (Think “bad guys” on horseback like in old Westerns) on the way back for the kids. I suggest getting a tourist deal that includes a hotel room and a tour bus.
Yes, I’ve been there, my parents took,us on vacation and even as a child it was awe inspiring. One of my sisters lives just outside Williams, AZ, where they’ve stopped for the night. It’s close enough for my sister to see the rim in the distance from her front porch. One word to describe it? INCREDIBLE! Yes Las Vegas is about four and a half hours drive to the Grand Canyon. That an old style newspaper box, you put in the amount required, usually about $1.00 and then pull down the front door and take your newspaper.
One word when I saw the Grand Canyon: God! I’m not a religious guy. But when you walk up and see a bit at a time and then the whole thing, you slowly come to feel so small. It’s overwhelming in the most wonderful way. I stood there for thirty minutes just looking before we started walking around. Looking out I tried to figure out why exactly I was so overwhelmed by it. It’s not the height, it’s not the age or the time it took to form, it’s not even the vast size of this giant gouge in the earth. It’s simply a glorious sight with no real explanation of its power. And when you’re that overwhelmed, and at such a loss for explanation, you think of God. They say (and I know from anecdotal experience) that even committed atheists often pray when they face the prospect of death - I think being confronted all of a sudden with the smallness and utter contingency of human life brings out a visceral sense that there’s something out there larger than us in every sense. That’s the feeling I had when I was standing there.
That’s very beautiful, what you wrote. I’m a Christian and I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon but the first time I saw the Milky Way without any light interference and saw just how many millions of stars are in the night sky…I cried. I felt so small and yet so loved because I thought of the verse in Psalms “when I consider the skies and the works of your hands, what is man that you think of us?” We are so small and insignificant and yet God loves us each personally.
Flying into Vegas is not only a convenient way to reach the Grand Canyon - there are several other parks that can be incorporated into the trip at the same time, routes, and numbers of parks can be adjusted depending on how much time you have available.
I took my son to see the Grand Canyon for the first time last month. He’s 24 and he was so emotional when he saw it. He said it almost made him afraid because of its vastness. Truly magnificent and indescribably beautiful. Videos and pictures can’t give it justice. One of the natural places on earth you have to see with your eyes to appreciate its wonder.
My first emotion at the Grand Canyon: overwhelming. A great holiday is fly to Las Vegas, catch a GREAT show or two there, gamble a little (even though gambling odds in LV are usually not very good). Then drive to the Grand Canyon and stay there at least over night. Emotions of other people I witnessed at the Grand Canyon ranged from overflowing exuberance to stark terror, where a lady became unable to walk. Her husband and another Good Samaritan couple hovered over her to get her turned around and led her away from the rim.
My husband, young daughter and I did a 5 hour helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, left from the Las Vegas airport. It was the best experience of my LIFE! The pilot had a fantastic mix-tape for the entire flight of different music, from classical, rock and even Elvis “Viva Las Vegas” for the return flight into town at night, seeing all the Las Vegas casinos signs lit up. The helicopter landed on the upper rim of the canyon for a picnic lunch. We saw desert squirrels hiding in the rocks near the picnic tables. They were so cute! The pilot was amazing! He flew at different levels and speeds through the levels of the canyons so we could see the various colors and striations, layers of the of the dirt/rocks. So beautiful. We could see the levels of the river and how the river changed its level from the rainfall, the banks of the river and we even saw kayaking crews and some of the donkeys on the trails. But we saw the donkeys while we were at a safe distance, through our binoculars. Then the pilot flew out into the open desert where there were no roads or houses, just miles of open desert and mountains. We saw a “dust devil”, which is like a tornado out in the desert but without any rain. Just wind kicking up sand off the desert floor and suddenly spinning it into a circle, and it suddenly rises up into the air with more sand into circular funnel like a tornado. Just amazing and beautiful all at once! Before we returned to Las Vegas the helicopter had to refuel. And the “gas station” was out in the desert! I was just fascinated by that! It has a huge fence around it that the helicopter just landed inside of, no people, just big metal tanks. The pilot “self-serviced” his own helicopter. We were allowed to walk around and look at all the desert life while the pilot did his job, just as long as we stayed within the area that was marked with painted lines, like a safety zone. I have some beautiful photos from that trip. And some memories that I will never forget!
Awe inspiring. Pictures and video do not do it justice. When I visited The Grand Canyon we also spent a weekend in Las Vegas. It was very convenient to see when I visited my dad in Phoenix,Arizona. Much love from Michigan!
Also, I have never been to the grand canyon on the surface but I flew over it and it was awe inspiring... it was far more massive than any picture or video van convey!
I live in very south Louisiana. I went to the Grand Canyon as a young teen and remembered how amazing it was. This past summer I took my teen to the grand canyon. I told her that pictures can never capture it. The Grand Canyon isn’t something you see, it’s something you experience. It touches you. You feel it. The light dances on the surface of it. Every moment it looks different. We stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway hotel and rode the train to the canyon. The second you could see it peak through the trees, it took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t expect such a visceral reaction to seeing it. But, it really is majestic. You just want to sit and watch it and breathe it in. You barely even want to speak when looking at it. It’s definitely a must see experience. My daughter loved it and was amazed at what it was like and understood that pictures really can’t capture the awe of it.
I went to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1998. It was just after 4th of July (we stayed w/my uncle in Phoenix for the 4th then left the next day). The temperature change from the lower elevation to the canyon is very noticeable. We had on shorts & t-shirts, then changed into pants and sweatshirts. We looked around then found a small path that started to go down into the canyon. We decided to stay there and watch the sun set from just below the rim of the canyon. It was amazing and something I'll never forget. It was so beautiful.
I've lived near the Grand Canyon for 30 years and have experienced it in many ways...river trips, backpacking, and more hikes than I can count. There really are no words or pictures that can capture this place. I'm heading there next weekend and can't wait.
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was the absolute BEST TIME I EVER HAD! Please don’t forget to see the Meteor Crater while you’re driving across the US. There are so many things we saw every year during our drive from Georgia to California and back, to visit my parents. We also enjoyed night-fishing on the coast, just 5 miles from my parents home. You are going to LOVE your time here, and no one will be surprised if you decide to come back… or even stay! Take care brother, and stay safe. 👍
One word... inexplicable. Words can't explain it. Every time someone "new" comes to visit me in Las Vegas we plan a whole day for the Canyon and/or Death Valley. I never will shy away from visiting. There are many ways to visit and enjoy the Grand Canyon.... staying up top... North Rim, South Rim are US Park Service and 4 hours' drive away; and Western Rim which is on Hualapai Nation which is 2.5 hours away and offers two views (Eagle Point and Guano Point), as well as some additional experiences such as zip lining, helicopter rides even rafting on the Colorado river down in the canyon itself. There are also 3-day/2-night ATV tours across the desert and to the Grand Canyon. A completely different experience since it's completely remote and just a small group. Another fantastic place just to see the creativity of nature is Canyonlands and Arches national parks in Utah.
I was eighteen flying to California my first airplane ride,when the pilot stated if you look to your right you will see a wonder THE GRAND CANYON. It brings tears to my eyes the most beautiful sight of God’s majesty sights. Absolutely awe inspiring. This is from a woman that has gone to Hawaii nine times,seen Niagara Falls many times since. It belongs to everyone in this world a gift to all from God.
The Grand Canyon evokes so much emotion when you experience it. Deep down you know it's not just the majestic vistas or stunning colors but the feeling that the same forces that created it also created you. It's a very spiritual place of reflection and magnanimity. Great reaction video.
Notice they stopped in Williams before going to the Canyon. It’s a 3 hr drive from Vegas to Williams, and another 1 hr drive from Williams to the Grand Canyon entrance. If visiting the Canyon I’d NOT drive there from Vegas, you’d lose too much time on the road - instead you’d want to stay overnight in Williams or Flagstaff or better yet, a cluster of hotels right outside the gate in a spot called Tusayan. Devote at least a couple days to seeing the Canyon! It’s too overwhelming for one day.
We stayed at the Cameron on the Navajo Reservation. It is a lovely place on the highway from Flagstaff to Tuba City, Paige and Lake Powell. I stayed there 2 times.
It's incredible. Pictures can't relate the breathtaking beauty of the colors, immence size and depth. It's a mile deep in places. It brings tears to your eyes when you first see it.
I learned how to drive when I was 45 years old. That summer I drove 15,000 miles over 10 weeks enjoying our beautiful country. I had planned one entire day at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The view was glorious, stunning. However, after about a half an hour, I realized that I had been seeing it in 2 dimensions like a picture or a film. Suddenly, the view shifted, and I saw it as it really existed. I was thunderstruck and spent an additional two days.
!! I'm actually so glad to read this. I thought I was the only one who's eyes were stuck in 2D mode for the first several minutes of viewing the Grand Canyon. It really did take awhile for my eyes to realize the sheer scale of what I was looking at!
I went to the north rim of the Grand Canyon several years ago. It truly is unexpected. There is an emotional element to it. I would suggest staying near Kaibob National Park. I stayed at some cabins that were also housing for some of the hotshot firefighters in the area. There are backtrails that lead to remote canyon overlooks. Seeing a sunset or sunrise and being absolutely alone in this wilderness while gazing into the canyon is a life changing experience. No campfires please, and leave no trace.
Andre, I was part of a busload the first time I came here--back in '82. At the end of the summer, after returning to the USA, I stopped by again, and took a mule ride to the halfway point. Then, in the '90s, I backpacked to the bottom 3 times--twice from the south rim, and once from the north rim. It was amazing every single time. Also, those last 3 times, I went all the way to Phantom Ranch at the bottom. I also went twice to nearby Havasu (HAVE-uh-sue) Canyon, home of the Havasupai (have-uh-SUE-pie) tribe, who are known as the "people of the blue-green water". My first sight of it was nothing short of breathtaking. One thing that makes it spectacular, if you have the time to stay a few hours, is that as the sun's rays hit the rocks at different angles, it actually changes color. Another place just a few hours away is Bryce Canyon, which also has unbelievable colors. The drive from "Lost Wages" is about 6 hours. I know many people think Las Vegas is a dream, but personally, I view Vegas as a dump. The improvement between there and Grand Canyon is at the opposite extreme.
@@Big_Tex, the key was in the training beforehand. I was a runner back then, and knew of a hilly route on some streets here, to the point that it even had a name--the monster. Every Sat. for several months before departure, I ran that 10K route. Then, I returned to my car, changed to my hiking shoes, put on the backpack, and everything else I'd be packing in in AZ, and walked the same route, slowly increasing the loops up to 4. Last was up in WI to a lake with a roughly 20 mile shore path, of which I also completed the entire route. By the time I got to Grand Canyon, it was a breeze. Instead of groaning, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the experience. I can easily say that at that time, I was undoubtedly in the best shape of my life.
My parents took me when I was 14---and it changed my life. You are shown how small you are in the world--and how so very connected you are to our Earth.
I was born in AZ and the grand canyon is the most beautiful, breathtaking place in the world! I cry every time I'm there. Living in TX now and I want to go back just to see it again.
@@sicastra you should check out the "grand canyon of Texas" Palo Duro Canyon. We went in the winter and rented a stone cabin on the rim which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. That night there was a thunderstorm with snow, which I had never seen before in my life. The thunder echoed through the canyon all night and we woke up to a dusting of snow that made the canyon look incredible! Also, it is not as deep as the Grand Canyon and there is a road you can use to drive down to the bottom, where many people camp and hike. If you've never heard of it (and sadly most Texans have not), seriously consider a trip - you won't regret it! 🤠
The Grand Canyon is majestic. I was lucky to be there for over seven days during the spring time...a great time to go because you can experience a wide variety of weather...and see the Grand Canyon in the snow, in the rain and in the bright sunshine. Absolutely amazing!! Took many photos!
When I was a kid, my dad really wanted us to go on this road trip to see the South West and the Grand Canyon was on the itinerary. I joked “we’re going to see a hole in the ground.” However when you see it for yourself, your mind is contradicting itself. It’s overload with the grandness trying to comprehend it’s not a painting, but the real thing. Your mind then goes blank trying to process it, to try to take it in. It’s considered a world wide under for a valid reason.
Photos never do the Grand Canyon justice. It truly brings meaning to the word "awesome." Your tummy feels funny, it makes your heart full and puts a smile of wonder on your face. I live in Arizona and have seen it more than once but it never fails to be magic!
It is surreal. When I saw it you didn't think it was real. And not like a green screen CGI but like looking at a huge portrait. It was a work of art. Highly recommend.
It's like standing outside in a big storm, you feel small, weak, and helpless. It's been there way before modern humans existed and will be there well after were gone.
No video, camera picture or painting can convey the immensity of the place. The feeling of being dumbfounded in the face of immensity (and beauty). It's like being a flea, standing at the foot of an elephant. I've never been to Vegas, and I don't care to ever go.
I live in Arizona and have for the past twenty years. Describe the Grand Canyon in one word? That's actually impossible because it can only be experienced. There's simply no way to describe its scope in words. I hope you get the chance to experience it one day! Much love from AZ!
I used to work for a company that flew helicopter and airplane tours over and below the rim of the Grand Canyon. It's pricey, but if you want to fly from Las Vegas to the GC check the safety records first before choosing the company. You'll end up going with my former employer if you value paying a little more for exceptional safety, and I completely agree with that decision. I can say I visit about 2 to 3 times a year, even after no longer working for the tour company. The drive is just about 90 minutes to the West Rim (boring, not worth it) and about 5 hours to the South Rim (maybe 6 hours if you take Route 66). Trust me, go to the South Rim and avoid the Hualapai scammers at the West Rim.
My one word description: OVERWHELMING. The combined immensity and beauty of the landscape is what gets you. I was taking pictures at the edge on one visit and realized a few hours had gone by as I just watched the changing light and its affect on the scene. Most people only visit the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, but the north rim is spectacular in a different way. There, you are in amongst the side canyons. Also, it is at a higher elevation, so you are in evergreen forests rather than the desert. Because of that elevation, snowfall causes the north rim close during the winter.
It is INCREDIBLE!!😊
It is ❤
I have been to Grand Canyon more times then I can count starting at 4 years old - 57 now - it's a new experience everytime too - different scene from winter, spring , summer & fall - north rim is closed in winter due to major snow - was born in 4 corners area in Arizona - travelled all of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico & Colorado - just these 4 states alone have so much to offer with different terrains & such natural beauty - I love this country 🇺🇸 🙏😇💕
@european-reacts you don't realize how gigantic it is until you stand at the edge. It looks surreal. The video doesn't do justice at all. The grand canyon is way way way better in person. I was completely speechless.
There are other canyons in America almost as beautiful, but nothing as GRAND as the GRAND CANYON... Not even close... Seeing it for the first time is like seeing the ocean for the first time, awe inspiring... You will NEVER forget this moment...
@@european-reacts Andre, the reaction they had is extremely common to people who see the Grand Canyon in person for the first time because the grandeur and enormity of it is staggering to the psyche and knocks the wind out of most visitors. People also often become dizzy and disoriented because the sheer scale of GC overwhelms the senses until people are able to adjust. The whole experience is mesmerizing and for the 500 billionth time underscores that America is really, really, really, REALLY BIG.
Native American here. I have been multiple times at many different ages. Nothing can prepare you for the sight of the Grand Canyon. No photographs, paintings, nothing can truly represent to size and beauty of it.
Truth!
It's hard to get your brain to accept the size of what you are looking at. Several minutes down Bright Angel trail with nothing visually changing followed by the few hours climb back up help but not as much as you'd think. I came away with a better definition of the word vast.
@@M-S_4321 I did the mule ride with overnight at the bottom. Unreal. Scary as hell but worth it.
@@Kevin6059 My mother did that years ago and said the same thing. She also said she came away with a newfound appreciation for mules.
@@M-S_4321 Much smoother ride than horses. They like to walk on the edge though just to mess with you.
I was a tour guide for a southwest tour. The Grand Canyon was one of the stops. When we let people out of the bus by the south rim. Almost everybody went silent and most cried!! The scale and emotions was unbelievable and they said so. They couldn’t believe their eyes and couldn’t hold the emotions. I’m crying as I write this. You have to be there to understand!!
No matter how much you know about its statistics, no matter how many pictures you see, even an IMAX movie, you’re never prepared for the first sight of Grand Canyon. You actually nailed it. It’s because it’s a place you don’t just see with your eyes, you see it with your soul.
This is the best summary of my first experience seeing the Grand Canyon!
well put!
For me, it was like looking at a photograph. You can't see the side of the canyon that you're on, because it's too steep, and you're (hopefully) not quite enough of an idiot to step all the way to the edge; and the other side is so far away that the fact that you're looking through air becomes relevant, visibly reducing the clarity of your view. Then you drive a couple of miles down the road to another lookout point, and look across at... exactly the same photograph, because the canyon is so large that the mile or two that you've moved along the rim, makes basically no difference.
Your comment is a fact.
Same.
I'm an Arizonan, born and raised, and I've been to the Grand Canyon several times. If I could only use one word to describe it, it would be, "awe." That's what you feel when you see it in person.
If you go there, you should also visit Sedona. It's not that far away, and is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the world. So beautiful that it's spiritual for many people.
Make a great two- or three-day circuit of these stops plus Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater. Northern Arizona is incredible. (And don’t get me started on the paradise that is Havasu Falls.)
@@wscottwalters74Don't forget Canyon De Chelly.
I have visited the Grand Canyon multiple times, from multiple directions.
No photograph, no video can truly prepare you for the scale and grandeur of it - the mind struggles to truly take it all in.
I live in Phoenix Arizona, and I can tell you this: pictures can not do it justice. When you see the Grand Canyon in person it is beyond comprehension. Your brain has trouble processing what you are seeing it is so massive and beautiful. You have to see it in person to truly understand the magnitude of it. It is truly one of the most amazing sights you can behold with your eyes. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it. Need to go back for sure. Spectacular.
When I went to The Grand Canyon, it made me feel small and insignificant. There are places in nature that humble you. The Grand Canyon is one of those.
I completely agree.
Cause we are "small" and "insignificant". I've seen it once and it's just amazing to see it.
yes, that and the Giant Sequoias, makes you feel wonderfully insignificant
YES! Exactly.
Us Native American tribes hold it sacred; a bringer of life in the high desert. I had to show my Swedish girlfriend (at the time) when she wanted to see my reservation. She was emotional in Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Shiprock, Canyon De Chelly and the Petrified forest. The Grand Canyon is like looking into the past and seeing what our ancestors saw as well. That feeling is indescribable.
Northern Arizona is one of the most beautiful places in the US followed by the Sonoran Desert. Arizona is magical isnt it?
I got to ride my horse through Canyon De Chelles.
@Latnman101 Sonoran desert is beautiful for sure but its more than aesthetics for my tribe. Blessings 🙏
I love Sedona
I couldn't agree more. In my experience of ALL those places, I had no words! I just felt like a minuscule spec on the earth up against the forces that created those wonders!
It was always my dream since childhood to see the grand canyon, and my father would say, "We will someday." Well we never were able to go. Well on May 10, 2014 my father passed away. He was the most amazing and compassionate man I've ever known. Well on May 10, 2018, I went to the Grand Canyon and I stood on the South rim and looked up and said, "We made it dad. We made it." And I stood there and cried. A woman had heard me, and came up and just held me as I cried. Then it became a miraculous joyful moment. I will never forget.
😂❤
Thank you for sharing. That made me tear up a bit. I finally got to see it in 2011 and was amazed by how big it really is. You just can't get the size from comments and flat pictures.
Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you finally made it to the Grand Canyon. Your story really hit my heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. The Grand Canyon is definitely a beautiful breathtaking site. The first time you see it and every time after.❤️✌️🌼
Sooooo poignant, Darlin’! Teared up, flowed over and said a prayer for y’all! May GOD continue to Bless and Awe You and Yours!!! ❤️🔥🙏🙏🙏❤️🔥
I’ve been watching these tourists react to America videos for a couple hours now and it has made me realize i need to be more present and appreciate the country im so blessed to have been born and raised in, thank you for the perspective!
I don’t agree that Americans take our country for granted. The very fact that our National Parks have millions of visitors every year is proof that Americans are traveling this great nation and appreciating all it’s beauty. 🇺🇸❤️.
True! We live in Portland, Oregon and we go out every Sunday to explore. We are right in the middle of so many different beautiful places! Desert, beach, forest. Sometimes we will go hike around some of the falls, sometimes we will go up the mountain and over it into the desert, or the other direction to the coast and hike through the forest to the beach. We definitely appreciate how lucky we are to be so close to so much beauty.
I agree. I'm from Texas and this is one of my favorite destinations.
been to 49 of our 50 states including puerto rico, doing alaska next year to finish them off. love my country
@@jacquesbreaux6788 I've been to 43 but haven't been up in the North east but working on it. Hope to go to Alaska soon.
I heard so many languages when I was at the Grand Canyon that I realized its not only so many Americans come here but also people from all over the world.
Incomprehensible. Your eyes see it, but your brain can't understand it. The size and volume is unfathomable. There is no photo, no words, no way to accurately describe it.
It was touching to see how much it affected her, but it was more touching how much it affected him that it affected her so much. She's a lucky girl. My mom cried, too. She said she could feel God. Something as vast as The Grand Canyon reminds us how small we are and how fleeting our time here is. We are so small in the grand scheme of time and you feel the history around you.
That's exactly what happened when I visited. My brain couldn't understand what my eyes were seeing. It's an amazing feeling.
Many years ago my husband lost his job and to cheer him up I suggested we get out of Los Angeles and go to the Grand Canyon. We drove and got there after dark with snow flurries as we parked outside our motel, a nice one. He thought the snow dancing around was dirt until we got our of the car...he was born in southern California and had never seen snow so that was a first for him! We spent the next day at the Grand Canyon and with each passing hour of the sun the colors changed, all of them beautiful. Clouds came and that changed the look. We decided to stay another night and booked a room in the original hotel at the Grand Canyon. Our room was old and not really luxurious other than size (huge) but it had a humongous deck which was right at the edge of the canyon. I'm a very early riser so while having coffee saw the daybreak there and it began snowing! I mean to tell you I cried I felt so honored to see the beauty of the canyon and the peacefulness of it all.Wonderful experience for both of us.Highly recommend everyone go.
Lovely experience and well shared! Thanks! ❤️🔥🙏🙏🙏❤️🔥
What a beautiful experience. It sticks doesn't it? For the rest of our lives.
I rafted through the Grand Canyon with friends for six days from Lee’s Ferry to somewhere past Lava Falls. At night we slept on top of the sleeping bag (it was early June) falling asleep to the sound of the murmuring river and watching the shooting stars above. It was probably the most sublime experience of my life. I recommend that trip to all who are harboring a dream of the Grand Canyon.
ASTONISHING. It's the largest single thing you can see on the surface of the earth. It completely fills your field of view; it's literally bigger than your eyes can see. it's breathtaking. Something everyone should see once in your life, as it makes you aware of just how tiny we are in this universe.
Yes! It completely fills your field of vision and that’s what blew me away. Its massive expanse blew me away.
Yes, nothing can prepare you for the scale of it.
Technically, it would be the largest single *lack* of something. Namely ground. Since it's a hole.
@@pacmon5285 yes. Which is why, I think, people who have never been there sometimes have a difficult time getting up the enthusiasm to visit. (“Why on earth would I want to visit an enormous hole in the ground?”).
Only people who have been there can understand. Frankly, when I went, it was on a National Parks tour, and I was much more excited about seeing Yellowstone and Grand Teton, for example, than the Grand Canyon. But now I’m glad it was on the itinerary. Amazing.
There is also another canyon called Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, it is said to be four times bigger than the Grand Canyon. I am sure both are beautiful.
I live in Arizona - home to the Grand Canyon. I confess that for 20 plus years my attitude was one of disinterest. I thought it would be nice, but I didn’t feel the draw to make the drive to see it. I finally went and… Everyone is right. This place is special. It touches your heart in ways hard to describe. It’s more than just a pretty view, it has a feel you have to experience for yourself.
I grew up in paradise, Hawaii. But the first time I visited the Grand Canyon, I finally knew what God's country really was. The depth of the canyon is so deep and unexpected. Because it is below ground level, you don't know what to expect until you're at the rim. You feel like God just touched you.
Oh from a Hawaii resident that says so much.
as someone who grew up in AZ, I actually think Waimea (?) canyon on Kauai was a smaller, prettier version of the Grand Canyon when I finally visited it.
@@Sunset553I haven’t been to Grand Canyon but Canyonlands National Park, canyon after canyon as far as the eye could see, river just gnawing over eons and eons. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. All I could think was “God, Ancient of Days”.
@@kaysnyder3882 I did think I should see some regular canyons first. I should check out Canyonlands. This might all be a dream. Physically I’d need to be be stronger
What I think is funny is those of us from the states who visit your absolutely stunning home feel the exact same way as you when you visited the Grand Canyon
I am an American. I have driven along I-40 "past" the Grand Canyon access exits many times. Over my life, I'd heard all these fantastic words about it. Last Oct., my wife & I actually went there. Indeed, no words do the scene justice. One simply must go to appreciate the scale of it. Will admit, had me choked up as I sat in the ampitheater of the Maher Lookout area. Wow. If can some day go, do so...
When I walked up to the edge I honestly got emotional as well.being an American I still get emotional at the beauty here. I am sure each country has beauty but the vastness of the west is just awe inspiring!
You just can't imagine what it feels like to walk up to the edge of that awesome natural wonder. It really pulls your breath right out of you, like a gut punch. And catch the colors waking up in the morning as the sun rises. I've never seen rock walls actually come to life before that moment. Awe inspiring
On a plane trip to Las Vegas my plane flew lower and slower over the entire grand canyon on a beautiful sunny day. The captain even announced he was doing this since we were ahead of schedule. I had a window seat and was overwhelmed by the beauty and how huge it is. Thank you pilot! I hope I get to see down close some day. Either way, it is a memory I'll never forget.
Definitely go.
Much, much, much better than Las Vegas! And cheaper!
In a word the Grand Canyon is BREATHTAKING. Everyone says this but it really is true - pictures cannot do it justice. The first time I saw it my heart beat faster and I actually held my breath as a bird flew right over my shoulder and soared out over the vast openness of the canyon.
My wife and I were shocked when we simply walked across the parking lot and across the street and there was the Grand Canyon. It just blew us away that you could walk right up to the edge with no barrier and the drop was several thousand feet down. Absolutely breathtaking. And as the sun went down you just couldn’t believe the colors. Truly an amazing place to visit.
Definitely, make sure you start each day with your camera ready to take many photos and wear it around your neck...so it is easy to get to... I highly suggest getting to the rim before sunrise...and and hour before sunset...photos of the Grand Canyon at these times are most dramatic and beautiful. Have all the equipment you will need to take very many photos (at least a hundred or more..not kidding) and/or hours of video.
I saw it for the first time this year. Incredible, awe inspiring and unbelievable.
Everyone has seen it in pictures and movies, but you haven't seen it until you see it with your own eyes. There's no other explanation. It's impossible to describe it. It's almost so impressive there are not words for it. It's a sight to behold that you just have to see it to appreciate it the immensity and scale of it. It's beautiful and stunning.
Absolutely not over rated.
I was stunned when I saw it the first time. My mom talked me into it and I'm so glad she did. I got emotional as well. Pictures and videos just cannot prepare you for the experience. Several years later I took some of my students from Arkansas to San Francisco--about 11 years go. None of them had seen the Grand Canyon, so I made the trip on our way back. They weren't that excited about it because I think all of them wanted to just get home, that is until they saw it. They were stunned, and spent a few hours just silent. They still thank me for the side trip.
what a wonderful thing you did for your students
As a teenager in the Boy Scouts I backpacked through portions of the Grand Canyon over three Easter breaks. As many here have said, the scenery is literally breathtaking, arguably the most stunning panorama on the planet. Down in the canyon your perspective shifts as local terrain narrows the views and reveals a variety of colors and rock formations, plants and animal life.
On the first trip we hiked the South Rim Hermit's Rest Trail over to the Bright Angel Trail (famous for its mule trains). The first trail was in such bad condition (slides, boulders, etc.) that it was closed 2 weeks after our trip. Near the end of the trip we crossed a bridge over the Colorado River to a campground on the North Shore. It was a balmy 24C that afternoon, a beautiful sunny day on the river at roughly 2000' elevation. Perfect t-shirt weather. The next morning we hiked out up the Bright Angel trail and set up our tents at a campground not far from the trail head, on the South Rim (elevation 7,200' ) . We bedded down for the night... and woke to freezing temperatures and an April snowstorm.
The following year my troop hiked down from the South Rim to the Havasupai Reservation, passing through the village there. We saw many of the famous waterfalls, eventually making the day trip from a campground all the way down to the Colorado River. The scenery along the watercourse is very impressive (google Havasupai Reservation and Mooney Falls). I highly recommend the strenuous trip, but you MUST obtain reservations first (there's a lottery system--space is limited and demand is high). These days you can helicopter in/out if you can afford it (and the tribe has space available on the flights).
My third trip took us through the Navajo Reservation down to the Rainbow Bridge. Back then the site was a mile or more from Lake Powell, but I've seen photos of the lake extending beneath it in years since. On that trip I remember sleeping in the open in and waking to a herd of wild mustangs moving through our camp in the moonlight, one of the most remarkable things I've ever experienced.
I was able to do a 3 day backpacking trip starting on the North Rim (8000ft elevation) and taking 2 days to descend to the river (about 2500ft elevation, I think). and 1 day to hike out to the South Rim (about 7000 ft elev.). Standing on the rim and looking out into it is indescribable and photos never do it justice. I’ve stood on the rim and watched a storm taking place over the canyon, but not where you are at. If you ever get a chance to go to it, please take the time (and plenty of water) to walk at least a mile or so down one of the trails. The feeling below the rim is a totally different experience . If you get the chance to hike down to the river, that is another experience of its own. That 3 day backpacking trip was a once in a lifetime adventure I’ll never forget. I am a 72 yr old American woman--did the trip in 2010.
@@kathleenlange1823 you go doing that at almost 60! You're my new hero! 🤠
@@JulesfromHouston it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, with all the planning and permitting done by someone else. Just had to show up on the right day with tent, sleeping bag and backpack. My sister is 10 years younger and was also able to go. We worked out for 2 months and I dropped about 20 pounds to make up for all the equipment, water and the camera I wanted to take. I had been to the canyon in 1966 on a family vacation, but only on the South Rim (main tourist area). This trip started on the North Rim, mid-May. Still snow on the ground where we started. In the upper 80’s down at Phantom Ranch at the bottom. Was a fabulous, unforgettable trip.
When I walked up to see it , I fell to my knees . It took my breath away.
Yes, there is a very emotional response in seeing the Grand Canyon, especially for the first time. No picture or video can relay the enormity and beauty of the Canyon. The first time I saw it, I did get emotional and shed a few tears at its beauty.
“Vast” is the word that comes to mind. It literally takes your breath away.
Years ago my daughter and I took a 3-day guided raft trip down the Colorado River through part of the Grand Canyon (there are longer trips as well). To truly appreciate its grandeur and magnificence, that's the way to go. Seeing it up close, sleeping under the stars, taking hikes to waterfalls. An experience of a lifetime.
@@ThomasThorson I am so jealous. I thought I had seen it in the mist spectacular way, a small plane that actually flew below the rim, but your trip sounds even better
I live 90 minutes from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's beyond words! What you're seeing is the width in his video. The Canyon is about 7 miles wide, so you're not looking at the length. You cant see the length from the ground nor from aircraft. You can only see the length of the Grand Canyon from space. That's how big the Grand Crayon is. One of Gods master pieces.
I've been to the Grand Canyon, and I'll have to say it was a spiritual experience. It really puts things into perspective.😊😊
Absolute TRUTH!!
All my life I've heard how seeing the Grand Canyon in person was an almost spiritual experience. I saw the pictures, was in awe, but doubted the gravity. Then I experienced it in person. I will never forget the immensity and gorgeous display.
Peaceful.
I was just there in June. When you look out into the distance, nature just envelopes you. The sight, sounds (or no sounds), and smells. It recharges your soul.
Native to AZ and when I visit the Grand Canyon I forget so many people travel from around the world to see it because it's in our "backyard". It really is breathtaking and hope everyone gets a chance to visit and enjoy Northern Arizona.
Entrancing!! I visited the park in 2018. You just have to see it in person to truly understand its captivating beauty!!
I love how awestruck he was and that he put his camera down to enjoy the moment without any device.💕
Probably 1 of my earliest memories as a child. It was so beautiful, I’ve never forgotten it
My parents took us from Massachusetts to the West coast for a three week vacation, when I was fourteen years old. They took us to as many points of interest as they possibly could. Mostly California, but we went to Reno, Tahoe, Las Vegas, The Hoover Dam, Tiajuana, MX, and, for the icing on the cake, we flew through the Grand Canyon in a small plane. It was positively GLORIOUS! I am now fifty six, and woud love to take my wife to see Grand Canyon. I know I would appreciate it a lot more than I did as a child.
I’ve been to the Grand Canyon three times and I highly recommend anybody that is lucky enough to see it to take the time to go to the north rim as well. Because so much of the American West is breathtaking beautiful it is referred to as God‘s country. The term originated in America in the mid-1800s when trying to describe or convey its beauty to others.
A few years ago I took my 14 year year-old niece on one of my trips out west, we visited Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Bryce, and Zion national parks (my brother asked me not to take her to the Grand Canyon because he wanted to be the one to give her that experience ). Before we left I was trying to explain how beautiful the West was and that when we left she would feel a profound sadness and she rolled her eyes at me. Two weeks later when we were leaving Yellowstone she said to me with teary eyes I don’t know why I’m crying but it feels very sad to leave this place. I was really glad she was one of the people that really gets it. This is just my personal opinion but I think that people that look at the Grand Canyon and see nothing but a big ditch have a glitch in their brain making them unable to recognize and appreciate such beauty.
I think part of what makes a lot of people think that the Grand Canyon is just a big ditch/hole in the ground is that, as so many people who have left comments here have said, they’re getting that impression from pictures and videos of it that they’ve seen, and none of them do it justice compared to being there in person and looking over the (in my case) south rim for the first time.
I would not necessarily call it the most beautiful place in the world I ever seen, but I would call it the most awe-inspiring. That’s my one (hyphenated) word for it. I’ve never been to a place that literally made my breath hitch when I first gazed upon it. It’s the most amazing spot on earth that I have yet seen…
@@peterbarbera5485 On one of my visits to the Grand Canyon a waitress at the Chili’s restaurant in Flagstaff greeted us with “let me guess you drove all the way out here just to see the big ditch”. I have also met a few people who took side trips from Vegas to see the Grand Canyon and said they didn’t get what the big deal was, it was just a big ditch.
I so wanted to see the Grand Canyon, it is 1,000 miles from where I live. But I am almost 77 years old and cant travel far, so these videos will have to do. So Thanks to all of you who share with those of us unable to see this Beautiful place !!!
I’m from beautiful San Diego, CA, but when I first saw the Grand Canyon I couldn’t hold back the tears. It was overwhelmingly beautiful and awe-inspiring. It made me feel as if there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish if I set my mind to it. ❤
The first time I went there I camped overnight, watching the sun set and then enjoying the sun rise is awe inspiring. The evening sky is full of stars like you never see. You feel so small and so connected in an indescribable way.
As Americans we take our country for granted. It's absolutely beautiful. The Grand Canyon. The Rocky Mountains. Yosemite. Niagara. Beautiful deserts. Smokey Mountains. Incredible wildlife. A Massive coast line. And so many other beautiful places I left out.
There's plenty of us americans who know what we've got and love it to death, good and bad we take in stride. I could spend the rest of my days traveling and I'd still never see all that I wish to before I pass
@@kingjellybean9795 I agree. I've visited places from Washington State to Florida, Texas to Montana and many states in between. I will never be able to see all I want of my country in what's left of my lifetime.
@@kingjellybean9795 Agreed! And Ditto on the traveling!
Europeans see the images of URBAN Manhattan with all of the concrete jungle seen in the musical West Side Story, but less than fifty miles away, less than an hour's drive, there is Upstate New York with forests and small mountains, I shall say tall hills (I have seen the Rockies) of a GREEN landscape, not brick and concrete...
The most astounding to me was Yellowstone. Also, I once worked and lived at a guest camp in Colorado which bordered Rocky Mountain National Park, so I took hikes into it every day. Pure beauty.
When I was 60 I backpacked from the North rim to the south rim.
Believe me when I say You could spend the rest of your life trying to come up with a bunch of words to describe the Grand canyon and fall terribly short. You cannot describe the feeling with just one word.
I have been to the Grand canyon. When you see it, you realize the artistry of God's hand. It's beautiful, and awe inspiring ❤
No gods necessary, just water and time.
@@joescott778 was that comment really important to you? Andre believes and so do many of us watching.
Our God is an awesome God. The only one who could create this great wonder of the world.
@@user-calm_salty It's important to understand that wonder doesn't equal proof of a god. It's easy to confuse getting chills with ghosts. It's biology creating experience that has to be explained. Like water plus a perspective beyond one human lifetime equals the Grand canyon, the Hawaiian islands, the stars, the planets, and most everything else. I hope your belief in a god helps you, but it doesn't appear to be benefiting your understanding of geology specifically.
@@user-calm_salty Yes. Equally if not more important than someone leaving the God comment.
I'm an American and went to the Grand Canyon for the first time in 2022. It is breathtaking -- it literally takes your breath away. The scale of it is what you miss when you aren't there in person. It makes you feel so small and reminds you that Earth is a wonderous place.
It's indescribable. It's beyond comprehension, really.
As someone that lived over 50 years in Arizona, I will say driving the extra 6 hours to get to the north rim is worth it. The north rim lodge restaurant was really good when we stayed there. It cantilevers over the north rim of the canyon. Frankly they could serve you cold hot dogs and stale chips and would still be one of your most memorable dinning experiences.
Took the family last year. Flew into Vegas stayed a night at Caesars Palace next day drove to Williams AZ stayed at train station hotel next day rode train into GC hiked etc stayed at lodge on rim next day explored until train back to Williams for the night. Then back to Vegas 3 nights at MGM. Beatles love, shopping etc. The family loved it. Best trip so far. Been on three continents 7 countries for context. The Grand Canyon railway is the best way to do it if with kids. Fantastic place for whole fam
The Grand Canyon is breathtaking. I’ve traveled to many places, both inside and outside the USA, and there’s nothing like it anywhere else.
Nothing prepares you for the scale of the Grand Canyon...no matter how many videos you see, the scale of it in person will just blow you away.
Magical!!! A friend and I hitch hiked here with 35 hits of Purple Haze in 1975. Stayed at the campground and shared with many people. Hung out with a Havasupai artist for several days who told us things about the place that''s not in the tourist pamphlets. That week is etched in my mind forever. The Canyon takes your ego, crumples it up and throws it over the edge. Life-changing!
Imagine how big it could possibly be and it is much bigger. Imagine how deep it could be yet it is much deeper than that. Imagine how beautiful it could possibly be.
My wife wanted to do sunrise and sunset photography of the canyon. The second evening thunderstorms moved through. I asked, she said we are going cause who knows when we will get back. The storms kept many tourist away, only a few dozen people. The rain was ending as we approached the rim....There was a rainbow extending nearly halfway into the canyon. It was there for nearly an hour. We got tons of photos and yes it brought tears to my eyes.
9:22 that's the typical US Newspaper station. We had them all over the city here in Evansville Indiana. You put in US Quarters for the price, and the door unlocks. Some people used to steal them and then sell them on the corner in the business district during AM commute.
An interesting fact about the canyon is that the rim is at an elevation of 7000 feet (2.1 km). It’s up high, and it’s desert but in season it gets cold and snowy. When you realize the canyon was eroded by the Colorado River over the eons, you might envision the river just digging down deeper and deeper. But what actually happened was the surrounding land was geologically uplifted to a high elevation while the river “fought” that tendency and managed to maintain its flow, cutting its way through.
@@Big_Tex hey, just noticed your name and wondered if you've ever seen Palo Duro (the Grand Canyon of Texas). 🤠
@@Big_Tex and it's still rising in response to the melting of the glaciers that once covered half of America!! Geology is astounding!
@@JulesfromHouston No I haven't seen Palo Duro, a shameful omission, I'll get to it someday. I've taken on a mission to see all the Texas state parks.
@@Big_Tex Big Bend is also fantastic, we took a 2-day canoe trip down the Rio Grande there. Camped on a sandbar on the Texas side, but had lunch on a sand bar in Mexico. Amazing hiking and fossil trails as well.
Visiting all of the state parks in Texas is a monumental goal. I envy your drive and enthusiasm.🤠
It actually did not happen over “eons”. GOD created this glorious place during the super-powerful flood He sent over the whole earth thousands of years ago, during the time of Noah. Noah’s Arc still sits atop Mr. Ararat today right where the Scriptures say it rested.
My first impression of the Grand Canyon was that it couldn't be real. It was simply too beautiful, too mesmerizing, too out-of-this world. It quite simply took my breath away.
You need to see it in person. Photos do it no justice. It is beyond imagining.
From California and have been to the Grand Canyon a couple of times. Always breathtaking, definitely a must see if in the States. 🇺🇲
I've driven by several times over the years, but never stopped to actually take the road there, until 4 months ago. I must say that it is Breathtaking to actually see.
What surprised me most was that from the parking lot you walk towards it expecting some initial preview, but then parting some pine trees, you see a railing and BAM! there it is, right in front of you. Literally, your standing at the edge of the cliff looking over miles of canyon.
@mosfet404 So on point, exactly how my wife, son, and myself felt. You explained it perfectly!
That's right, I remember that! It just wallops you in the face all at once.
I'm often disappointed by tourist attractions. The Grand Canyon is awesome. It was like a spiritual experience.
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was from the South Rim, not far from where they were standing, at a similar time of day.
Seeing their reactions, I both smiled, and shed a tear.
One word to describe my emotional response - overwhelmed.
There are places in this world that are humbling to look upon, and place mankind in perspective.
I feel that this is one of those places.
The Grand Canyon is a colorful desert canyon that commands respect. I live in northern Arizona (where the GC is located). Sadly, I see many people that are so out of touch with nature that they don’t appreciate it. It’s nice to see the emotions it brings to others that do.
I appreciate your reaction & the vlog of the couple that shared their experiences. Thank you.
Being from Arizona, I’ve been there many times. It’s MASSIVE! If you fly into Phoenix, you drive to Williams (a couple of hours is nothing here) then can take a train from Williams, to the Grand Canyon. Beautiful ride and there’s a fake robbery (Think “bad guys” on horseback like in old Westerns) on the way back for the kids. I suggest getting a tourist deal that includes a hotel room and a tour bus.
Vegas to the Grand Canyon is a long drive (especially if you go to the south rim). But it's worth it.
Yes, I’ve been there, my parents took,us on vacation and even as a child it was awe inspiring. One of my sisters lives just outside Williams, AZ, where they’ve stopped for the night. It’s close enough for my sister to see the rim in the distance from her front porch. One word to describe it? INCREDIBLE! Yes Las Vegas is about four and a half hours drive to the Grand Canyon. That an old style newspaper box, you put in the amount required, usually about $1.00 and then pull down the front door and take your newspaper.
One word when I saw the Grand Canyon: God!
I’m not a religious guy. But when you walk up and see a bit at a time and then the whole thing, you slowly come to feel so small. It’s overwhelming in the most wonderful way. I stood there for thirty minutes just looking before we started walking around. Looking out I tried to figure out why exactly I was so overwhelmed by it. It’s not the height, it’s not the age or the time it took to form, it’s not even the vast size of this giant gouge in the earth. It’s simply a glorious sight with no real explanation of its power. And when you’re that overwhelmed, and at such a loss for explanation, you think of God. They say (and I know from anecdotal experience) that even committed atheists often pray when they face the prospect of death - I think being confronted all of a sudden with the smallness and utter contingency of human life brings out a visceral sense that there’s something out there larger than us in every sense. That’s the feeling I had when I was standing there.
That’s very beautiful, what you wrote. I’m a Christian and I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon but the first time I saw the Milky Way without any light interference and saw just how many millions of stars are in the night sky…I cried. I felt so small and yet so loved because I thought of the verse in Psalms “when I consider the skies and the works of your hands, what is man that you think of us?” We are so small and insignificant and yet God loves us each personally.
Flying into Vegas is not only a convenient way to reach the Grand Canyon -
there are several other parks that can be incorporated into the trip at the same time,
routes, and numbers of parks can be adjusted depending on how much time you have available.
I took my son to see the Grand Canyon for the first time last month. He’s 24 and he was so emotional when he saw it. He said it almost made him afraid because of its vastness. Truly magnificent and indescribably beautiful. Videos and pictures can’t give it justice. One of the natural places on earth you have to see with your eyes to appreciate its wonder.
My first emotion at the Grand Canyon: overwhelming. A great holiday is fly to Las Vegas, catch a GREAT show or two there, gamble a little (even though gambling odds in LV are usually not very good). Then drive to the Grand Canyon and stay there at least over night. Emotions of other people I witnessed at the Grand Canyon ranged from overflowing exuberance to stark terror, where a lady became unable to walk. Her husband and another Good Samaritan couple hovered over her to get her turned around and led her away from the rim.
My husband, young daughter and I did a 5 hour helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, left from the Las Vegas airport. It was the best experience of my LIFE! The pilot had a fantastic mix-tape for the entire flight of different music, from classical, rock and even Elvis “Viva Las Vegas” for the return flight into town at night, seeing all the Las Vegas casinos signs lit up. The helicopter landed on the upper rim of the canyon for a picnic lunch. We saw desert squirrels hiding in the rocks near the picnic tables. They were so cute! The pilot was amazing! He flew at different levels and speeds through the levels of the canyons so we could see the various colors and striations, layers of the of the dirt/rocks. So beautiful. We could see the levels of the river and how the river changed its level from the rainfall, the banks of the river and we even saw kayaking crews and some of the donkeys on the trails. But we saw the donkeys while we were at a safe distance, through our binoculars. Then the pilot flew out into the open desert where there were no roads or houses, just miles of open desert and mountains. We saw a “dust devil”, which is like a tornado out in the desert but without any rain. Just wind kicking up sand off the desert floor and suddenly spinning it into a circle, and it suddenly rises up into the air with more sand into circular funnel like a tornado. Just amazing and beautiful all at once! Before we returned to Las Vegas the helicopter had to refuel. And the “gas station” was out in the desert! I was just fascinated by that! It has a huge fence around it that the helicopter just landed inside of, no people, just big metal tanks. The pilot “self-serviced” his own helicopter. We were allowed to walk around and look at all the desert life while the pilot did his job, just as long as we stayed within the area that was marked with painted lines, like a safety zone. I have some beautiful photos from that trip. And some memories that I will never forget!
Awe inspiring. Pictures and video do not do it justice. When I visited The Grand Canyon we also spent a weekend in Las Vegas. It was very convenient to see when I visited my dad in Phoenix,Arizona. Much love from Michigan!
When you are there, it is overwhelming. It is so surreal.
Beautiful doesn't even describe it.
You feel like you have entered another world.
Also, I have never been to the grand canyon on the surface but I flew over it and it was awe inspiring... it was far more massive than any picture or video van convey!
I live in very south Louisiana. I went to the Grand Canyon as a young teen and remembered how amazing it was. This past summer I took my teen to the grand canyon. I told her that pictures can never capture it. The Grand Canyon isn’t something you see, it’s something you experience. It touches you. You feel it. The light dances on the surface of it. Every moment it looks different. We stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway hotel and rode the train to the canyon. The second you could see it peak through the trees, it took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t expect such a visceral reaction to seeing it. But, it really is majestic. You just want to sit and watch it and breathe it in. You barely even want to speak when looking at it. It’s definitely a must see experience. My daughter loved it and was amazed at what it was like and understood that pictures really can’t capture the awe of it.
I went to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1998. It was just after 4th of July (we stayed w/my uncle in Phoenix for the 4th then left the next day). The temperature change from the lower elevation to the canyon is very noticeable. We had on shorts & t-shirts, then changed into pants and sweatshirts. We looked around then found a small path that started to go down into the canyon. We decided to stay there and watch the sun set from just below the rim of the canyon. It was amazing and something I'll never forget. It was so beautiful.
I've lived near the Grand Canyon for 30 years and have experienced it in many ways...river trips, backpacking, and more hikes than I can count. There really are no words or pictures that can capture this place. I'm heading there next weekend and can't wait.
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was the absolute BEST TIME I EVER HAD! Please don’t forget to see the Meteor Crater while you’re driving across the US. There are so many things we saw every year during our drive from Georgia to California and back, to visit my parents. We also enjoyed night-fishing on the coast, just 5 miles from my parents home. You are going to LOVE your time here, and no one will be surprised if you decide to come back… or even stay! Take care brother, and stay safe. 👍
One word... inexplicable. Words can't explain it. Every time someone "new" comes to visit me in Las Vegas we plan a whole day for the Canyon and/or Death Valley. I never will shy away from visiting.
There are many ways to visit and enjoy the Grand Canyon.... staying up top... North Rim, South Rim are US Park Service and 4 hours' drive away; and Western Rim which is on Hualapai Nation which is 2.5 hours away and offers two views (Eagle Point and Guano Point), as well as some additional experiences such as zip lining, helicopter rides even rafting on the Colorado river down in the canyon itself.
There are also 3-day/2-night ATV tours across the desert and to the Grand Canyon. A completely different experience since it's completely remote and just a small group.
Another fantastic place just to see the creativity of nature is Canyonlands and Arches national parks in Utah.
I was eighteen flying to California my first airplane ride,when the pilot stated if you look to your right you will see a wonder THE GRAND CANYON. It brings tears to my eyes the most beautiful sight of God’s majesty sights. Absolutely awe inspiring. This is from a woman that has gone to Hawaii nine times,seen Niagara Falls many times since. It belongs to everyone in this world a gift to all from God.
The Grand Canyon evokes so much emotion when you experience it. Deep down you know it's not just the majestic vistas or stunning colors but the feeling that the same forces that created it also created you. It's a very spiritual place of reflection and magnanimity. Great reaction video.
Notice they stopped in Williams before going to the Canyon. It’s a 3 hr drive from Vegas to Williams, and another 1 hr drive from Williams to the Grand Canyon entrance. If visiting the Canyon I’d NOT drive there from Vegas, you’d lose too much time on the road - instead you’d want to stay overnight in Williams or Flagstaff or better yet, a cluster of hotels right outside the gate in a spot called Tusayan. Devote at least a couple days to seeing the Canyon! It’s too overwhelming for one day.
We stayed at the Cameron on the Navajo Reservation. It is a lovely place on the highway from Flagstaff to Tuba City, Paige and Lake Powell. I stayed there 2 times.
It's incredible. Pictures can't relate the breathtaking beauty of the colors, immence size and depth. It's a mile deep in places. It brings tears to your eyes when you first see it.
I learned how to drive when I was 45 years old. That summer I drove 15,000 miles over 10 weeks enjoying our beautiful country. I had planned one entire day at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The view was glorious, stunning. However, after about a half an hour, I realized that I had been seeing it in 2 dimensions like a picture or a film. Suddenly, the view shifted, and I saw it as it really existed. I was thunderstruck and spent an additional two days.
Wow, welcome to 3d
!! I'm actually so glad to read this. I thought I was the only one who's eyes were stuck in 2D mode for the first several minutes of viewing the Grand Canyon. It really did take awhile for my eyes to realize the sheer scale of what I was looking at!
I went to the north rim of the Grand Canyon several years ago. It truly is unexpected. There is an emotional element to it. I would suggest staying near Kaibob National Park. I stayed at some cabins that were also housing for some of the hotshot firefighters in the area. There are backtrails that lead to remote canyon overlooks. Seeing a sunset or sunrise and being absolutely alone in this wilderness while gazing into the canyon is a life changing experience. No campfires please, and leave no trace.
Andre, I was part of a busload the first time I came here--back in '82. At the end of the summer, after returning to the USA, I stopped by again, and took a mule ride to the halfway point. Then, in the '90s, I backpacked to the bottom 3 times--twice from the south rim, and once from the north rim. It was amazing every single time. Also, those last 3 times, I went all the way to Phantom Ranch at the bottom. I also went twice to nearby Havasu (HAVE-uh-sue) Canyon, home of the Havasupai (have-uh-SUE-pie) tribe, who are known as the "people of the blue-green water".
My first sight of it was nothing short of breathtaking. One thing that makes it spectacular, if you have the time to stay a few hours, is that as the sun's rays hit the rocks at different angles, it actually changes color. Another place just a few hours away is Bryce Canyon, which also has unbelievable colors.
The drive from "Lost Wages" is about 6 hours. I know many people think Las Vegas is a dream, but personally, I view Vegas as a dump. The improvement between there and Grand Canyon is at the opposite extreme.
You’ve done it right, I’ve never hiked to the bottom - because I really don’t like the idea of hiking back up 🤣
@@Big_Tex, the key was in the training beforehand. I was a runner back then, and knew of a hilly route on some streets here, to the point that it even had a name--the monster. Every Sat. for several months before departure, I ran that 10K route. Then, I returned to my car, changed to my hiking shoes, put on the backpack, and everything else I'd be packing in in AZ, and walked the same route, slowly increasing the loops up to 4. Last was up in WI to a lake with a roughly 20 mile shore path, of which I also completed the entire route. By the time I got to Grand Canyon, it was a breeze. Instead of groaning, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the experience. I can easily say that at that time, I was undoubtedly in the best shape of my life.
My parents took me when I was 14---and it changed my life. You are shown how small you are in the world--and how so very connected you are to our Earth.
I was born in AZ and the grand canyon is the most beautiful, breathtaking place in the world! I cry every time I'm there. Living in TX now and I want to go back just to see it again.
@@sicastra you should check out the "grand canyon of Texas" Palo Duro Canyon. We went in the winter and rented a stone cabin on the rim which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. That night there was a thunderstorm with snow, which I had never seen before in my life. The thunder echoed through the canyon all night and we woke up to a dusting of snow that made the canyon look incredible! Also, it is not as deep as the Grand Canyon and there is a road you can use to drive down to the bottom, where many people camp and hike.
If you've never heard of it (and sadly most Texans have not), seriously consider a trip - you won't regret it! 🤠
The Grand Canyon is majestic. I was lucky to be there for over seven days during the spring time...a great time to go because you can experience a wide variety of weather...and see the Grand Canyon in the snow, in the rain and in the bright sunshine. Absolutely amazing!! Took many photos!
When I was a kid, my dad really wanted us to go on this road trip to see the South West and the Grand Canyon was on the itinerary. I joked “we’re going to see a hole in the ground.” However when you see it for yourself, your mind is contradicting itself. It’s overload with the grandness trying to comprehend it’s not a painting, but the real thing. Your mind then goes blank trying to process it, to try to take it in.
It’s considered a world wide under for a valid reason.
Photos never do the Grand Canyon justice. It truly brings meaning to the word "awesome." Your tummy feels funny, it makes your heart full and puts a smile of wonder on your face. I live in Arizona and have seen it more than once but it never fails to be magic!
It is surreal. When I saw it you didn't think it was real. And not like a green screen CGI but like looking at a huge portrait. It was a work of art. Highly recommend.
It's like standing outside in a big storm, you feel small, weak, and helpless. It's been there way before modern humans existed and will be there well after were gone.
No video, camera picture or painting can convey the immensity of the place. The feeling of being dumbfounded in the face of immensity (and beauty). It's like being a flea, standing at the foot of an elephant.
I've never been to Vegas, and I don't care to ever go.
the Cirque Du Soleil shows are worth it, completely
I live in Arizona and have for the past twenty years. Describe the Grand Canyon in one word? That's actually impossible because it can only be experienced. There's simply no way to describe its scope in words. I hope you get the chance to experience it one day! Much love from AZ!
I used to work for a company that flew helicopter and airplane tours over and below the rim of the Grand Canyon. It's pricey, but if you want to fly from Las Vegas to the GC check the safety records first before choosing the company. You'll end up going with my former employer if you value paying a little more for exceptional safety, and I completely agree with that decision.
I can say I visit about 2 to 3 times a year, even after no longer working for the tour company. The drive is just about 90 minutes to the West Rim (boring, not worth it) and about 5 hours to the South Rim (maybe 6 hours if you take Route 66). Trust me, go to the South Rim and avoid the Hualapai scammers at the West Rim.
My one word description: OVERWHELMING. The combined immensity and beauty of the landscape is what gets you. I was taking pictures at the edge on one visit and realized a few hours had gone by as I just watched the changing light and its affect on the scene.
Most people only visit the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, but the north rim is spectacular in a different way. There, you are in amongst the side canyons. Also, it is at a higher elevation, so you are in evergreen forests rather than the desert. Because of that elevation, snowfall causes the north rim close during the winter.