
A combination of mild weather and dropping gasoline prices resulted in a bustling Christmas holiday in Grand Canyon Village. Thousands of visitors each year choose Grand Canyon as the place to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. An even greater number visit the park on the day immediately thereafter.
These “day trippers” from nearby Flagstaff, Sedona, and Prescott bring their holiday houseguests to share the region’s greatest attraction. Of course, the canyon itself is only part of the spectacle, as local merchants add to the holiday spirit with seasonal decorations inside and out.
Getting below the rim during this time of year often proves a bit trickier given the snow and ice that typically blanket the upper tiers of the trails. However, this year it’s a mute point as the Grand Canyon is patiently waiting for the first “big one” of the winter season.