There are quite a few safety precautions to list. The Grand Canyon has its dangers and can be treacherous to explore, but at the same time it is so fascinating and breathtaking. I know you'll have a good time out there
. That said, here's what I have to say about safety precautions:
*Always remain at least 300 feet or greater away from wildlife if possible. Not only is it a national park law, but it is also for the safety of the animals and the visitors. You'll be amazed at how many visitors literally walk right up to the wildlife and stand less thn five feet away
! Even some with professional photography cameras
. It is true that sometimes wildlife show up out of nowhere and you're definitely less than 300 feet away from them, such as while coming around a blind curve on a trail. To try to prevent this, be sure to make a reasonable amount of noise. Since you'll be with your family, simply conversing while hiking should do it.
*July is very hot in the Grand Canyon. If y'all plan on hiking down into the canyon, temperatures can reach or even exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, while up on the rim can reach the 90s at least. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the top killers of Grand Canyon visitors, so be sure to have plenty of fluids. Not only water, but also fluids with electrolytes like Gatorade or Smartwater. I also like mixing Simply Limeade with salt (an at-home Gatorade recipe I learned about while in the Yellowstone area
). Salty snacks and foods high in potassium like bananas are good food sources of electrolytes. Also be sure to bring correct footwear for hiking, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. This is a desert climate, after all
.
*Speaking of deserts, no desert climate can be complete without a couple of venomous critters. Campers in particular at the Grand Canyon tend to frequently encounter rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and scorpions. These guys become even more active at night. Since scorpions and tarantulas can crawl up vertical surfaces, a good idea would be to bring a blacklight. If you're tent camping, it's a good idea to use the blacklight to check for scorpions and tarantulas that could be on the outside of the tent before entering and exiting, and to also check your sleeping bags before crawling in them. Also, never leave the door to your tent or RV open unattended, always check your shoes before putting them on, and should you ever have to set your bag down to take a break while hiking, be sure to check it before putting it back on. If it was opened while on the ground, be sure to check the inside too. Those venomous critters I've mentioned can be pretty sneaky
.
*Always read and follow any signs that can be found at trailheads and along trails. As with any national park, upon arrival, you'll receive a park newsletter. Be sure to read this information. It not only lists safety precautions and regulations, but also park updates, ideas for activities, ranger-led programs, trail closures or openings, and information on park amenities and service locations (visitor centers, medical clinic, food service, etc.)
*If any of y'all are acrophobic or get dizzy spells from heights, then it is best to not stand on or sit on a cliff edge. If this is not the case, always pay attention to where you step. A fall into the Grand Canyon sounds like a really painful way to go for us, but more like a dinner bell for the California Condors
. In other words, use your common sense at all times
.
*For additional information, be sure to check out
www.nps.gov. Click on the state of Arizona, and then click on Grand Canyon National park.
*If Sasquatch is coming, I'm sorry to say he can't come on any park trails. Not only is it for the health and safety of pets and humans, but also wildlife, which can easily pick up pet ailments such as the parvovirus. Besies, he would probably be disappointed to know the Grand Canyon has cats way bigger and more ferocious than him (Mountain lions)
.
*Lastly, as scary as it may sound, do not let all I've mentioned scare you or family members out of having a good time. As long as everyone is well-informed and uses common sense (i.e. no Three Stooges reenactments along the cliff edges
), it should be very fun and memorable for everyone.
I hope this helps. If I can provide any additional information or further elaborate on anything mentioned here, don't hesitate to ask
.
