2019 Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Events
The Grand Canyon is all set to celebrate 100 years since its designation as Grand Canyon National Park on 26 February 1919. With nearly 6 million visitors every year, Grand Canyon remains one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world. Even after 100 years, the iconic landscape continues to fascinate nature lovers and adventure seekers. As expected, the national park is going to host a grand celebration to commemorate 100 years of such a spectacular natural wonder. But before I proceed to the details of upcoming events, let’s just first glance through some of the useful facts about Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park Facts
| Car Hire Tip:Rent a car in Winslow, a city in Arizona’s Navajo County. For the fact that Winslow is just 136 miles away from South Rim, you can reach your destination in just 2 hours via I-40 W and US-180 W. |
Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Events on 26 February 2019
Grand Canyon National Park 100th Birthday Celebration
The founders day celebration will feature a concert by Grand Canyon and Flagstaff schools choir and cake cutting ceremonies at Historic Village, Desert View, and Visitor Center. You can put your signature on the park’s birthday card, share memories, and enjoy the cake.
| Date | 26 February 2019, Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 am |
| Location | Desert View & South Rim Village |
| Entry | Free |
Kolb Studio Tour
Led by a park ranger, the tour is dedicated to Kolb brothers – Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. A magnificent structure in South Rim, Kolb brothers’ 1904 home is a memorable photography studio overlooking the massive Grand Canyon. As the guided tour is restricted to 15 people, you should contact the Kolb Studio at +1-92863-82771 well in advance for free tickets.
| Date | 26 February 2019, Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Time | 1:00 pm |
| Location | Kolb Studio |
| Entry | Free |
Park Ranger Program: Critter Chat
A perfect event for those interested in understanding Grand Canyon’s expansive ecology, Critter Chat offers deeper insights into the lives of the park’s wild inhabitants. As the national park is remote at most of the places, it is quite interesting to know how its dwellers survive amid such a rugged climate.
| Date | 26 February 2019, Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Time | 4:00 pm |
| Location | Grand Canyon Visitor Center |
| Entry | Free |
Park Ranger Program: Geology Glimpse
For a national park close to the size of Connecticut, there has to be gregariously diverse geology. This program will tell you the story behind Grand Canyon’s unique geology, covering the Colorado River system and the extraordinarily large tributary canyons’ system.
| Date | 26 February 2019, Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:30 am |
| Location | Yavapai Geology Museum |
| Entry | Free |
Grand Canyon National Park Car Parking at South Rim
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Car Parking – Whether you plan to arrive at the Village area from Desert View Drive or South Entrance Station, you’ll see signposts directing you to the Visitor Center Parking Complex. While there are 4 parking lots namely, Lot 1, 2, 3, and 4, only Lot 1 permits entry of RVs (recreational vehicles) and vehicles with trailers.
Parking at Village Historic District and Market Plaza – You can also park your car at the village center and market plaza. Parking lots are named as – Lot A, B, C, and D, with only lots B and D permitting RVs and vehicles with trailers.
| Car Parking Tip: Reach the park area by 9 am and you’ll find ample car parking space. Do not park on the roadside unless directed or clearly indicated. |
Airports Near Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
Scottsdale Airport (SCF) – Pick up your rental car at Scottsdale Airport and reach South Rim Trail, Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, AZ in about 3.5 hours. The airport is nearly 225 miles south of the national park.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Hire a car at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, take I-17 N, and you’ll reach Grand Canyon Village, AZ in less than 4 hours after covering 230 miles.
McCarran Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) – As the Grand Canyon Village, AZ and McCarran International Airport are on the same latitude, many tourists rent a car in Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. You can also pick your car hire at Las Vegas Airport, take US-93 S and I-40 E, and cover 277 miles within 5 hours.
Explore the serene wilderness like never before with a car rental in Grand Canyon. While the park is open, the partial government shutdown may have an impact on the public transport service in Grand Canyon. Let your wandering spirit discover something new because adventure is out there!
