The Grand Canyon: Ranger Programs and Camping

Up at 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Was it majestic? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Um, nope.

My favorite thing about visiting national parks? The park ranger programs. On this lovely summer day, we caught a ranger program all about California Condors. They are fascinating creatures, I tell you. Did you know that they vomit on their predators, mate for life, raise their young until the age of 1 1/2 (which is why a female lays an egg only once every two years), and pee on their feet to stay cool? We also caught a program that helps visitors discover fossil remains that are scattered throughout the canyon.

Brachiopod

Mollusk (clam)

Ancient Sponge

Ancient Coral

(Click here to learn more about the science-y stuff I learned about these fossils. I'd attempt to tell you myself, except that would be very foolish of me.)

We even saw elk! Elk butts, to be precise.

For Your Rolodex:

If you're looking for a true national park camping experience, I recommend Mather Campground on the South Rim of the canyon.

Mather Campground (AZ)
P.O Box 129
Grand Canyon AZ 86023

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
36.05278, -112.11444