GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Mules will take guests on a new route past the grandeur of the Grand Canyon National Park on the Canyon Vistas Mule Ride. Xanterra South Rim concessioner introduced this four-mile, three-hour route along the canyon’s rim to replace the Abyss Overlook Mule Ride, which had run since October 2009.
The Canyon Vistas Mule Ride starts five miles east of the Grand Canyon Village. Groups up to 20 will spend two hours in the saddle plus an interpretive van ride from the Grand Canyon Village to the Yaki Barn, where the mules depart and return from. Wranglers will stop the group six time along the trail to talk about geologic formations, human history, fire ecology and more.
“Mules have long been an important part of the Grand Canyon’s rich history, and these large, sturdy creatures have been a valuable and much-loved traveler attraction since they were first offered to visitors in 1887,” said Jon Streit, general manager of Xanterra South Rim. “We are indebted to the National Park Service for its enthusiasm and hard work in creating this new trail and assisting with the development of the interpretive material.”
The mule ride will run twice a day from March 15 through Oct. 31 and once a day from Nov. 1 through March 14. Water, water bottles and rain jackets are available on the ride.
Xanterra South Rim also operates six lodges in Grand Canyon Village, interpretive motorcoach tours, restaurants and gift shops in the park.
To book a mule ride, visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com/mule-trips-716.html.
