What to pack for Grand Canyon

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you’re planning to visit the North Rim take warm clothes even at the height of summer. We didn’t have anything quite warm enough to cope with the freezing temperature of our first evening there, and I ended up wearing both of the thin cotton jumpers that I’d packed, one on top of the other. I recommend a fleece for the chilly evenings – you’ll need it for walking between your cabin and the lodge, or if you want to participate in the evening events programme or simply take a stroll outside to see the sunset and/or stars.

Days can be warm though, even on the North Rim and certainly on the South, so thin cotton tops or t-shirts and light-weight trousers or shorts are fine. You’ll want comfortable shoes for walking, even if only on the shorter trails, and obviously proper hiking shoes and other equipment are needed if you’re planning to hike down into the Canyon.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Sunscreen with a high SPF is a must. This is desert country, after all, and even in the chill of the higher elevations the sun can burn you. There are no other real hazards, though flies can be a nuisance and you might want to take repellent and an itch relieving cream. There are shops in all the more developed areas so if you forget anything it shouldn’t be a problem – apart from prescription medicines naturally, which you should always take when you travel.

Photo Equipment: Take plenty of memory cards and/or film – you won’t be able to stop pressing that shutter button! A wide-angle lens is a must to capture these sweeping panoramas, but a zoom is useful too for wildlife and also to pick out interesting rock formations.

Miscellaneous: A torch might come in handy, although the pathways between lodge and cabins are fairly well lit.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Wear sensible shoes, sunglasses and you may want a hat

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You may also want to take sun lotion as its hot in the desert. Also take some travel sickness pills if you're flying there.

Photo Equipment: Don't forget your camera!

Luggage and bags: Small caryon bag and a backpack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Shorts, tees, boots, thick socks, hat, umbrella....all the things needed to do some canyon hiking.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Plenty of sunblock and bug repellent

Photo Equipment: Digital camera, memory card, card reader, video camera

Miscellaneous: Refillable water bottles

Luggage and bags: Pack as light as possible for overnight hikes into the Canyon. Do NOT bring anything that is not absolutely essential. Make water your heaviest item when going into the Canyon. Whatever you bring down, you will have to bring back up with you. We went in June and the temperature at the bottom of the canyon never went below 95, even at night so sleeping bags are optional as is the tent. Remember, you don't want to have to haul it back out if you don't use it when your there.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Good hiking shoes are very important. Make sure to have head gear or at least a towel to put over your head to keep the sun from scorching you in the summer heat.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Always bring a basic medical kit, including gauze, ace bandages, and bandaids. Also bring plenty of sunscreen and/or Aloe vera ointment for sunburns.

Miscellaneous: Bring dry food. Mountain meals are great as all they require is hot water and you can eat right out of the bag so you don't need any dishes. Try to make items serve multiple purposes to reduce bringing extra things.

Miscellaneous: Depending upon what time of year it is and how quickly it gets dark, you may need a flashlight. I was hiking last August and found myself trying to hike up the Soutrh Kaibab trail when I ran into another family with kids. I had the presence of mind to pack a flashlight. I asked the other family how they would be able to see going back up the trail - especailly with kids.

They were thankful I had a flashlight. I was happy about it too.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Because the Grand Canyon is very dry and has little humidity, you will notice big swings in temperatures.

The heat spikes early during the day and then drops like a rock at night. A jacket or sweatshirt would be a very good idea.