How often do Arizonans get up to the Grand Canyon? (Phoenix: college, campgrounds)

[Champ le monstre du lac]

I was just watching a PBS program "Grand Canyon Serenade" which has some outstanding video footage of the canyon. I've been to the canyon once and did the 9 mile round trip hike down Bright Angel to Indian Garden and back up to the rim. It was incredibly rigorous to do in one day, but I loved the challenge of it. I want to go back again, there so much to explore and I think I'd like to do the North Rim (in season) next time.

But that got me wondering how often people that live in Arizona and have easy access to it go up and visit. When I was hiking there I ran into people from all over the world. Do people that live in the Valley or Tucson take the opportunity to explore up there, or do they prefer other parts of the state? I realize I'll probably get a variety of answers here.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6tNoCKED9w

[paradiseca]

I have often thought more people from Germany know more about Arizona than Arizonians. Go to the Grand Canyon in May or early June. You will have to look pretty hard to find an Arizona plate in the campgrounds. After Germans you will find people from states like Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc who visit the park. So people from Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Britain, etc. know more about Arizona than natives. I think that's kind of cool.

[cjs123]

I lived in AZ 23 years before getting to the Canyon, but I made up for it with subsequent visits.

I think many people hold off on seeing what is close by, maybe because they figure they can get there anytime...?

When traveling elsewhere I've had people say to me that I'd seen more of their local area than they had.

I like that video.

[corydon]

Worked with a guy who was born and lived in Phoenix, he was about 35 and never been to the grand canyon....

But I do not think folks from Germany and so on know more about the state, They never did know it was in Arizona till they booked a vacation.... And Tombstone is more famous than Phoenix in Europe......
To say they know more about AZ is just ridiculous.

[Valley Native]

Grand Canyon is a nice but brief summer getaway trip for me. I try to go every other year at least. One of the best things to do is to stay overnight in Williams and take the train to the Canyon. This is convenient in so many ways. It eliminates the hassle of driving, waiting in traffic lines, and paying a separate park entrance fee. The park fee is actually included in the train fare, so basically it's a one shot deal as far as cost.

Many visitors to the Grand Canyon are also visitors of Las Vegas ... and some of these people who know very little about geography actually believe the Grand Canyon is adjacent to Vegas, or some kind of natural attraction located in Nevada instead of Arizona. A lot of this is because some vacation packages include both Vegas & the Canyon, so they somehow link the two together. In reality, the Grand Canyon is Arizona's crown jewel that no other state can claim.

[locolobo13]

I haven't been there since '86. In college in the 70s I backpacked in there a few times. Maybe 4 or 5. As kid of 8 in the 60s we visited the south rim. That's the extent of my visits.

[Colt AZ]

How often do Arizonans get up to the Grand Canyon?

I've been over to Disneyland several more times than I've ever been to the Grand Canyon, which has been only ONCE ever!

When I'm inside Disneyland, I observe many different tour groups of people from other countries, and they are speaking many different languages other than English.

Seems to me that National Parks and other attractions are mainly for tourists, and the natives aren't as excited about such things.

[thinkalot]

Originally Posted by paradiseca

I have often thought more people from Germany know more about Arizona than Arizonians. Go to the Grand Canyon in May or early June. You will have to look pretty hard to find an Arizona plate in the campgrounds. After Germans you will find people from states like Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc who visit the park. So people from Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Britain, etc. know more about Arizona than natives. I think that's kind of cool.

How does going to the Grand Canyon make a person know more about Arizona than a person that lives here?

Never been there, no plans on going.

[BIG CATS]

I try and get up there at least once every two years. Last time I went was last October, which I planned to hike a good amount, but I couldnt get around to it. I plan to hike the Bright Angel trail this summer sometime, maybe May or early June hopefully.