ArizonaRealCountry.com 31 March 2018 Things To Do   WELCOME CENTER: Free. Pick up a park map at the Welcome Center which features a park store, orientation video and activity schedule. Visitor Center and parking lot gates open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. SCENIC DRIVES: Free. Drive the two paved rim drives to the overlooks which provide excellent views of the canyon below. Allow 2 hours to visit 3 overlooks on the North Rim Drive;best for morning photos. Allow 2 hours to visit 7 overlooks on the South Rim Drive;best for afternoon photos. Overlooks open year round. SELF GUIDED HIKE: Free. Hike the one public trail starting at the White House Overlook on the South Rim. Allow 2 hours to hike 600 feet down and back up the switchback trail to the White House Ruin. Restrooms at overlook and bottom of the trail. No pets allowed on the trail. RANGER-LED PROGRAMS: Free. Enjoy a Ranger Program including hikes and talks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check at the Welcome Center for current activity schedule. CANYON TOURS: Fees required. Contact a private company for a tour into the canyon by hiking, horseback or vehicle. Tours require a backcountry permit and hiring an authorized guide. No pets allowed on tours. CAMPING: Fee required. Camp at the Cottonwood Campground with sites available first-come, first-serve. No showers or hookups. Call Navajo Parks and Recreation Department at 928-674-2106 for details. SUGGESTIONS IF YOU HAVE 2 Hours - Visit all 7 overlooks on South Rim Drive OR all 3 overlooks on North Rim Drive. 1/2 Day - Visit all 10 overlooks on South and North Rim Drive OR visit the South Rim Drive and hike White House Trail OR take a half day canyon tour. 1 Day - Visit all 10 overlooks on South and North Rim Drives PLUS hike White House Trail OR visit all 10 overlooks PLUS take a half day canyon tour OR join an all-day canyon tour. 2 Days - Visit all 10 overlooks on South and North Rim Drives, hike White House Trail AND join an all-day guided tour. Check for details at the Welcome Center Sign up for hikes in person; first 15 people MARCH: Archaeology Month; Hikes and Programs APRIL 1: Park’s Birthday; Light refreshments served to celebrate establishment of park.  APRIL 21-29: National Park Week; Clean up of trails, campground and community roadside. MEMORIAL DAY THRU LABOR DAY: Ranger led talks and hikes; Summer Schedule. JUNE 1: Treaty Day; 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of 1868; Special programs and hikes during month. AUGUST 25: Founder’s Day; Special program to celebrate the creation of the National Park Service. SEPTEMBER 29: National Public Lands Day; Clean up shoreline at Tsaile and Wheatfields Lake. OCTOBER 31: Halloween Costume Contest; 1st to 4th Place winners receive gift certificates. NOVEMBER: Native American Heritage Month; Special programs and hikes. March 2018 FREE EVENTS Enjoy a tour into the canyon by vehicle, horseback or hiking!