#8 Grand Canyon

#8 Grand Canyon
Location: North Rim & South Rim, AZ
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Major Attractions:
South Rim Overlook - most photographed canyon in the world
North Rim Overlook

Number of Attractions: 7
South Rim, North Rim, Cape Final, Roosevelt Point & Point Imperial Overlooks. Kaibab & Cliff Spring (North) Trails. Wooded North Rim, Desert in Canyon & South Rim

Accessibility:
Grand Canyon's magnificent overlooks and Cliff Spring are all accessible by car or short trail. Kaibab is a backpacking trail (mandatory to stay overnight at camp near Colorado River). This is the only trail at a lower elevation in the canyon. Your best chance at touring the bottom of the canyon is by raft, if the river is not swollen like it has been in 2011.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main road, overlooks, and trails are maintained very well. In the summer, the South Rim is very hot in the afternoons, but it's still enjoyable. The North Rim is mostly wooded.
(http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/AZNPSGRCA:13)

Amenities:
Only two on-site campgrounds are reserved throughout the season. There are adjoining National Forest campgrounds and private grounds which you'll find more accommodating. Lodges are mostly booked as well. No amenities along the Kaibab Trail.

Conclusion:
I know what you're thinking... how could I rank the Grand Canyon #8? On most lists, GC is ranked #1. I've accounted for the view from South Rim or North Rim being larger and more expansive than any other canyon view. However, great views of a canyon 2 times deeper than any other isn't the end-all for a National Park. Variety in landscape and interaction with all dimensions of the attractions are essential to a great experience. Cliff Spring offers some respite from staring out from numerous overlooks (must see).

Unless you're a backpacker, you won't get a good view of the bottom of the canyon. If you venture to the South Rim, you'll only see desert. There are few beginner or novice trails near the canyon. There is no reasonable view of the Colorado River unless you go whitewater rafting. And the best views are limited to the lodges, not the campgrounds.

On a budget, you can find a more interactive experience at another park with more attractions, trails, and campgrounds. But if you have money to burn, a spectacular stay at a lodge and tours down the Colorado River beat any experience in the continental U.S. Certainly a must see, just don't pass up the rest of the parks.