Grand Canyon National Park, 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, can sweep you off your feet with its size and beauty. Most visitors access it from popular South Rim and less crowded North Rim, but if you looking for even more intense experience, head to the park’s best hidden secret – Tuweep Area. You will be welcomed there by spectacular views and the whisper of the wind. There will be no cars, no infrastructure, no other people around – just overpowering beauty of nature.
Tuweep Area-the Best Kept Secret of the Grand Canyon National Park
Over the years, my credit cards earnings let me see many beautiful places without breaking my budget. One of these places is Grand Canyon National Park.
Located in northwestern Arizona, the park is one of the world’s top natural attractions. With over five million visitors per year, it is the second most popular park in the USA.
I visited it three times before, but each time I felt that something was missing. I loved the views from both South and North Rim, but I did not get the intimate connection with nature I am looking for when visiting natural wonders.
For my fourth visit, I decided to fill this gap. It took me a while to read internet publications about different ways to see to park, but finally I narrowed it down to a jeep tour to the Tuweep (also known as Toroweap) Area of the park.
How to get to Tuweep Area
Located in Kanab, UT, Dreamland Safari Tours is the exclusive regional provider to Tuweep Area. Loaded heavy duty 4×4 Suburbans carry up to 8 passengers in air conditioned comfort. Their tours offers unique off-road adventure with plenty of scenic locations.
Why to Take a Tour
A Tuweep Area tour is expensive, around $200 per person, so naturally I was looking for other options. I was traveling with a group of friends. It was tempting to take one of our rental cars and drive on our own but the risk of damaging a car on the rough dirt road was too high.
Also, having a knowledgeable driver/guide lets you see the area in more details. He will tell where the best views are, where to pose for a great photo, and where to use an extreme caution. He will also have lunch ready for you and even clean up after you!
The Ride
It takes about two hours on a dirt road to reach the canyon. At first it is a very easy ride. The road is well maintained and wide. I was even thinking that a regular car would be able to negotiate the terrain.
In the midsection, the scenery becomes more interesting and the road becomes rougher. Closer to the canyon, it became obvious that only high clearance SUVs would be able to reach the end of the trail.
Toroweap Point
This dramatic and remote overlook is characterized by 3000 foot sheer canyon walls. The vibe was exactly what I was expecting – pristine and mesmerizing!
There were no people, no rails, no signs, no pavement, no buses, no commercialism. The area was vast but you could easily see the other side of the canyon and the river below.
We were allowed plenty of time to explore. There were many spectacular overlooks. Some seemed to be especially designed by nature for visitors to sit and enjoy the views.
Photo opportunities were fantastic. The never ending views of the canyon framed with trees, shrubs, and boulders, shades of orange and red, and sun reflecting in the river below – truly a marvel of creation!
Lunch
Our lunch, included in the price of the tours, was served at the picnic table close to the edge of the canyon. For the price of the tour, I was expecting a better variety but the food was tasty and satisfied our appetite. Drinks were also provided.
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