The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking spectacle every time I visit.
The first time I arrived and looked over the South Rim down into the Canyon, I was in awe, nearing disbelief.
While there are all kinds of activities available to families on top of the rim, more adventurous families should consider a family adventure trip as an active and fun alternative.
While the idea may appear daunting at first, it is important to remember that the Grand Canyon is a very well established and policed area.
Simple desert safety is important of course, bring plenty of water and watch out for natural hazards, but with a few simple provisions your family can have an amazing adventure that they will never forget.
The first step is to decide how deep in you want to go.
For a one night stay, it is best to hike down the rim during the first morning and stay overnight at the established campgrounds.
If you decide on hiking deeper into the canyon, you will have to apply for an overnight permit from the Forest Service.
Most experienced hikers advise to pack light, but bring plenty of water and salty snacks.
The water will replace the sweat you produce on the hike, and the salt will replace the electrolytes.
Avoid sugary sports drinks as the ingredients can be counterproductive.
Remember to pack sunscreen, bug repellent, a sleeping bag, a small first aid kit, and supplies to produce a small fire to cook with at the campground.
Anything additional is up to you, depending on your comfort level.
Now that you're packed and have your route mapped out, get to stepping! Begin on an easy trail down and take your time.
Short steps and an easy pace are key.
Everyone in your group should be able to carry on a conversation, and should be slowly drinking water the whole time.
Aim to take a break for ten minutes every hour.
Keep an eye on everyone's feet and legs; if anyone has any "hot spots" in their feet or their legs are cramping up, take a break.
Although it looks daunting at first, the hike down is short and there is no need to hurry.
In not time you will have reached the bottom of the rim! Keep on hiking until you reach your campground, and set up shop there.
You should first establish where your campfire will be as well as your sleeping bags and trash area.
Let everyone in the family know where the "bathrooms" are, and set ground rules for how far family members can go.
I recommend always employing the buddy system.
This means that nobody ventures out alone in case of a sprained ankle or other problem.
Once base camp is set up, have your family explore the area! Some amazing desert flora and fauna can be found at the base of the Canyon.
Bring along a guidebook to desert wildlife and encourage them to identify different types.
Take a few trips around, as the environment will change significantly as the day turns into evening and finally night.
Once darkness sets in, you can enjoy a small campfire and a light meal.
Remember to leave no trash or marks, so the next family can have just as good of an experience.
Seem daunting? Your first family adventure trip is an amazing learning experience! Still, some people prefer to have professionals along to guide them.
There's nothing wrong with that! After your first guided trip you may feel confident enough to go it alone next time.