This Is The Most Popular U.S. Travel Destination Of The Summer

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The results are in: The Grand Canyon is officially the most popular destination in the U.S. this summer.

TripAdvisor recently ranked the trendiest vacation spots in the country and it’s no surprise that the awe-inspiring landform clocked in at number one. The colorful gorges and mesas of the Grand Canyon are recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The entire canyon is nearly 300 miles long and a mile deep, with views stretching as far as the eye can see.

The park’s South Rim won the title of most popular in the U.S. and it really is the perfect jumping off point for your canyon explorations. The South Rim is home to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and several museums, as well as a historic walking trail along the top of the ridge.

Caught between past, present and future. #sunrise #grandcanyon

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There are trails for every level of hiker, whether you prefer a short day trip to soak up the views or want to make it all the way to the canyon’s base. Start on the Rim Trail and go as far as your feet will take you (although overnight treks in the canyons do require a permit).

One of my favorite views from within the Grand Canyon, with our 16-person raft looking so tiny docked at the shore. A final parting shot before returning to the rest of the world, the real world, after a very special immersive 8 days with @grandcanyonww

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The lucky few who planned far ahead of time and booked a rafting trip down the Colorado River also launch from the southern side. Rafting isn’t the only way to explore the bottom of the canyon; you can also choose a pack mule ride to carry you up and down the steeper sections of the trails.

Rain clouds breaking up this afternoon at Maricopa Point on the South Rim of #GrandCanyon #NPS101 #Arizona July 25, 2017 #TravelTuesday -mq [Image description: Bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds floating above a vast Grand Canyon landscape of colorful buttes and peaks that are most illuminated off in the distance.] (NPS/M.Quinn)

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Don’t worry, even if you missed out on the summer’s hottest destination, the canyon’s South Rim is open year-round. So move the Grand Canyon up on your bucket list! It’s clearly the place to be.

Here’s the rest of TripAdvisor’s top fifteen are:

1. Seven Falls – Colorado Springs, Colorado
2. Chapel of the Holy Cross – Sedona, Arizona
3. Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts
4. Kualoa – Kaneohe, Hawaii
5. St. Louis Cathedral – New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Pikes Peak – Colorado Springs, Colorado
7. High Roller – Las Vegas, Nevada
8. Garden of the Gods – Colorado Springs, Colorado
9. Gateway Arch – St. Louis, Missouri
10. Grand Teton – Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
11. Louisville Mega Cavern – Louisville, Kentucky
12. Tahquamenon Falls State Park – Paradise, Michigan
13. Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina
14. Minnehaha Park – Minneapolis, Minnesota