Our summer trip last year to the Grand Canyon was the first time we have ever been. So naturally, we checked the weather, read some articles, and pretty much winged it when it came to what we thought we should pack and take when visiting.
Water Bottle Or Camel Pack
The first, and most important thing, you should bring with you is a water bottle. Arizona gets hot and you will be doing a lot of hiking when at the Grand Canyon. Hydration is the most important thing when you are visiting. My youngest brother brought his camel pack and I have to say he was probably smarter than us all. Ryan, my youngest brother, and I hiked some of Bright Angel Trailhead and thank goodness we had water. It was so hot and coming back up the trail was brutal.
Snacks
While there are places to eat at the Grand Canyon, it’s expensive. Your best bet is to carry some snacks with you to eat while you are exploring. Don’t leave them in the car because it’s not always an easy walk back. The Grand Canyon is huge and odds are you are going to take the shuttle bus to different parts of it.
Comfortable Shoes
You want to pack comfortable tennis shoes. Keep in mind that your shoes will get really dirty. So I would avoid white shoes. Also, don’t take your $100 Jordans because the red dirt may stain them. There is a difference between hiking, walking and running shoes. Check yours and make sure you wear the right ones for the best comfort.
Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Hats, and Bandanas
You need to pack a pair of sunglasses and a few tubes of sunscreen. There is very little shade, so you want to make sure you are protecting your eyes and skin. On our road-trip to the Grand Canyon, we stopped at White Sands National Monument first so we had bandanas we used there. They came in handy at the Grand Canyon to protect our necks from the heat. We also soaked them in water and wrapped them around our heads during the hike.
Portable Charger and Extra Batteries
The Grand Canyon has so many spots to take pictures that your phone and camera batteries are going to die. You want to make sure that you bring an extra battery for your camera and a portable charger and cord for your phone. Nothing is worse than not being able to document your vacation because you didn’t plan ahead.
What is something that you always take on vacation with you?
I had such a good time at the Grand Canyon! I always make sure to take a pair of sunglasses with me.