Northern Exposure

If you prefer to take a less traveled path, you might consider touring the North side of the Grand Canyon. The mule rides for this portion of the national park are offered through several tour companies, so what you can expect to pay varies a bit.

The costs are approximately:

• $15 to $30 per person - One-hour along the North Rim
• $40 to $65 per person - Five-hour ride
• $95 to $125 per person - Full day ride to floor of canyon with lunch

Qualifications And Rules

There are some qualifications that all participants must meet in order to sign up for a mule tour. First, riders must not weigh more than 200 pounds, must be at least 4 feet, 7 inches tall, and must not be pregnant. In addition, riding a mule requires both upper and lower body strength and good overall muscular fitness, so riders should be in good physical condition, not afraid of heights or large animals, and lastly, be able to speak and understand English. Riders are also required to sign an agreement acknowledging that they understand the risks involved with participating in such a tour, since animals can be unpredictable. Finally, different trips have different minimum age requirements, so check on this when you book your reservations if any children will be accompanying you.

Learn More

If you want to learn more about these or other tour options and find out how to plan for your journey most effectively, you can visit the website of the National Park Service and read about the array of excursions and recommended guidelines.