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Ranger Minutes are short audiocasts or videocasts in which a park ranger shares interesting stories and information about Grand Canyon National Park. Learn more about the the nature, science, history and culture of the canyon with a park ranger as your guide.
While visiting Grand Canyon National Park, attend a free Ranger program or guided walk. Downlad the current schedule here.
iPod, and iPhone Owners... These podcasts are available for free download from the on the iTunes Music Store.
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Mountain lions (Puma concolor, also called cougars or pumas) inhabit the canyons and forests of Grand Canyon National Park and are the region's only remaining large predator. Learn more about this secretive animal's behavior, and habits.
- Credit / Author:
- Lori Rome
- Date created:
- 2007-03-07
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Located three miles west of Desert View, Tusayan Ruin provides a look into the lives of the ancestral Puebloan people who called Grand Canyon "home" 800 years ago.
- Credit / Author:
- Brian Gatlin
- Date created:
- 2007-03-17
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The secret to the Ponderosa pine's success is how well it has adapted to fire. What can people who live in fire-prone areas learn from the tree's defenses?
- Credit / Author:
- Haley Bercot
- Date created:
- 2009-05-09
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Park Ranger Joseph Felgenhauer describes a simple way to remember how the Grand Canyon was shaped over time: D.U.D.E. The letters stand for: Deposition, Uplift, Down cutting and Erosion.
- Credit / Author:
- Joseph Felgenhauer
- Date created:
- 2009-03-21
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Park Ranger Haley Bercot shares some interesting facts about this majestic animal. What should one do if they sight an Elk? How close should one get? Can elk be dangerous?
- Credit / Author:
- Haley Bercot
- Date created:
- 2009-09-09
Elk are frequently seen in and around Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In this Ranger Minute, Park Ranger Haley Bercot shares some interesting facts about this majestic animal. What should one do if they sight an Elk? How close should one get? Can elk be dangerous? Many visitors see large wild animals that seem tame and therefore approach far closer than they should. For safety's sake stay at least 50 feet away from the elk!
Never approach wild animals. Photograph all wildlife from the safety of your vehicle. Use telephoto lenses and observe quietly. It is dangerous, and illegal, to feed wild animals in a national park. Violators will be fined. Wildlife can become dependent upon handouts and lose their ability to hunt and forage. Such animals lose their fear of humans. They can become aggressive and bite, kick, or gore. Many are struck by cars while searching for handouts. Help us keep wildlife wild. Never feed or approach wildlife.
For more videos about wildlife safety please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/safetyvideos.htm
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In the natural world, when plants and animals benefit each other we call it a symbiotic relationship. (This video has open captions)
- Credit / Author:
- Lori Rome
- Date created:
- 2008-05-05
Teamwork in the Natural World – Grand Canyon National Park Hi, I’m Ranger Lori, and I want to share with you some examples of teamwork here in the natural world at Grand Canyon National Park. Imagine life without friends or family. We rely on each other for care and support. Well, so do plants and animals. When plants and animals benefit each other we call it a symbiotic relationship - and here at the Canyon we have lots of examples. The yucca moth pollinates the yucca. The yucca provides the moth’s offspring a food source. Tassel eared squirrels need ponderosa pines for their food. The squirrel spreads fungi which brings nutrients back to the tree. A hundred years ago, wolves lived at the Grand Canyon. Wolves and ravens had an interesting relationship. Ravens have keen eyesight and flight and are able to locate carcasses, but unable to penetrate through the thick Hides - so Ravens would find wolf packs and lure them back to the carcass, the wolves would open it up and together they would share a meal. Yum, Yum. See, everybody wins with teamwork. Perhaps one of the most interesting relationships, out there, is that between the coyote and the badger. Now, both animals are found on both rims, but badgers, are rare, and almost never seen. Both animals depend upon small mammals for a food source, things like chipmunks, pocket gophers and squirrels. (Badger Noise) I think I hear a badger!? Wait over here. Look, badgers! Badgers have excellent sense of smell, but have poor vision. Now they catch their prey by using those powerful claws and digging down into the earth and eating burrowing animals - and they’re fast. Now, they can dig down 10 feet in just a matter of seconds. Wow! Now, coyotes - coyotes are very different. They've got the long legs, and the keen vision - so they catch their prey by pouncing on it from above. Now, when the two team up, the prey don't stand a chance. See, burrowing animals build escape routes as well as the main entryway into their underground homes. So, with a badger and a coyote up top, there's nowhere to go. If they come to the surface, they’re pounced on by a coyote. If they stay underground, they’re dug up and eaten as a snack by a badger. See, everyone wins with teamwork, well, except for the squirrel, that is. What scientists have found, is that when coyotes, team up with badgers, they’re much more successful. So, we can learn a lot from the natural world, and in this case, the example of the success of teamwork.
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Some of most unique structures along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon were designed by Mary Colter, Chief Architect and Decorator for the Fred Harvey Co./ Santa Fe Railroad.
- Credit / Author:
- Erin Huggins
- Date created:
- 2011-06-13
The Colorado River had a hand in carving out the beauty of the canyon that we see today.
Mary Colter designed very beautiful unique structures they can be seen both above and below the rim
I'm Ranger Huggins and this is a Ranger minute.
Mary Colter was an architect and artist who was inspired by this landscape and the Southwest to create six very unique structures here at Grand Canyon National Park.
She was first hired by the Fred Harvey Company in 1901 and she went on to define what southwestern architecture is.
The Fred Harvey, Mary Colter partnership resulted in six designs here at Grand Canyon National Park.
Herrmits Rest, the Lookout Studio, the Bright Angel Lodge, the Hopi House, Phantom Ranch, which is located bottom of the canyon, and number six, the Desert View Watchtower, that you can see behind me.
Built in the 1930s the Watchtower, like many of Colter's designs, was intended to be organic, or as if the structure itself was rising up out of the earth.
Mary Colter refered to this as, "a re-creation of an old Indian watchtower."
She was known as, "a bit of a perfectionists," and she meticulously hand-picked many of the individual stones that make up this 70 foot tall structure.
The National Park Service is not only protecting the obvious natural history of Grand Canyon National Park, but also the cultural and human history of the park as well.
Mary Colter's architecture, designs and legacy will forever be preserved at Grand Canyon for future generations to enjoy.
I'm Ranger Huggins and this has been a Ranger minute.
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Women have played an important role in Grand Canyon's history from the beginning. Rangers Davis and Daly discuss 3 women important to Grand Canyon's architecture, culture, and ranger heritage.
- Credit / Author:
- E. Davis, M. Daly
- Date created:
- 2010-03-23
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Whether walking, hiking, running, or strolling, the canyon rim trail is a must during your visit to Grand Canyon -- get out and go Explore!
- Credit / Author:
- Brandon Torres
- Date created:
- 2011-10-03
Hi, I'm Ranger Brandon Torres, we're here at Grand Canyon National Park. We're about 7,000 feet on the South Rim. Today we're going to talk about some fitness opportunities on the paved pathways system.
If you want to hike down into the Grand Canyon, that's a whole different deal. You should check out some other videos. Over here we have the paved pathways system and it's a great way to get out and see the park.
The recently extended and improved rim trail provides 13 miles of paved pathway along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This paved trail provides outstanding opportunity to exercise your body when you come to visit. You should really plan on spending some time walking, hiking, running, bicycling, walking your dogs, walking with your kids or strollers while contemplating the amazing views.
The convenient free shuttle bus system provides bus stops about every 1.5 miles or less to help vary your adventure and your view.
A great starting place is the Visitor Center at Mather Point where parking and information about the rim trail and shuttle bus stops are available.
At the Visitor Center you can also rent bicycles. Bike rentals and interpretive bike tours are available. The entire rim trail is not open to bicycles so shuttle drop off or pick up is available. What most folks do is combine bike riding on the Greenway sections of the rim trail, with the Hermit Road...
The Hermit Road is nice as it has shuttle bus traffic only during the summer. Remember, if you wish for a shuttle bus to pass, you must pull over and stop.
Signage is important along the rim trail. The rim really is right next to the trail, so if it say’s to get off your bike or biking is prohibited; it’s probably a good idea to listen. Always give pedestrians the right of way and watch out for runners.
Everyone should use good trail etiquette by giving courteous warnings when coming up from behind. A nice “on your left" or "on your right” goes a long way to help everyone work together and be friendly along the rim trail.
The rim trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon provides a great way to get out and experience the park. Use the rim trail to get some exercise while out exploring; 13 miles of paved multi-use pathway. Whether walking, hiking, running, bicycling, strolling, gaping, picture taking, the rim trail is a must during your visit to Grand Canyon – get out of the car and go Explore!
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Join Park Ranger Ron Brown for a tour of four parking lots that surround the visitor center. Information includes; the lot that is closest to the canyon, where the restrooms are, the best lot to park an RV, the lot that is closest to the visitor center, etc.
- Credit / Author:
- Ron Brown
- Date created:
- 2012-02-03
Hello, and Welcome to Grand Canyon National Park. There have been a lot of changes to the park recently and one of the things that has changed the most is the parking.
4 miles after you arrive in the park you will come to this sign that represents the beginning of the preferred parking area.
The new parking areas are represented by numbers, colors, and symbols to help you remember where you left your car.
Take this first right turn to enter parking lot number one.
Parking lot number one, the yellow lot, is the best lot to choose if you have an RV or other large vehicle.
Lot one is also called the "Raven" lot and is the closest one to the canyon.
In fact, at the far right or northwest corner of lot one there are several accessible parking spaces that are only a few short steps from the first canyon view.
This short wheel chair accessible pathway leads directly to the canyon rim.
Arriving at the canyon for the first time at this connector to the rim trail can be a thrilling experience.
This is also the easiest way to get to the new Mather Amphitheatre for ranger programs.
Way finding exhibits like this one give an overview and show your current location.
Although those spots are the closest to the views, it is a little bit farther to the restrooms and the Visitor Center from those lot one accessible spaces.
Lot two however is the hub of activity. As you enter the red or "bighorn" lot the canyon is about 100 meters or yards to the north on the right hand side and the visitor center is about the same distance right in front of you.
Lot two fills up pretty quickly but if you can find a place there you will be close to everything.
This entire building is the restroom and it is the first thing you come to at the end of "Bighorn" lot two.
Of course you will want to check the way finding exhibit here too. "You are Here" is clearly marked.
In fact you will probably walk right past the restroom and down this path to get to the visitor center and shuttle bus stops.
There are plenty of restrooms. Just look for them in their own separate buildings in the Visitor Center complex.
Down this path in front of the restroom you will find the water bottle refilling station and the rest of the visitor center.
Lot two is also the parking area closest to the shuttle stops.
Our shuttle busses are all free and they will take you most anywhere you want to go.
Parking lot three is the "blue' or "Swallowtail butterfly" lot and is the more secluded lot farthest from everything. You can usually count on finding parking here.
Even from lot three though, the canyon and visitor center complex as well as the shuttle bus stops are only a short walk to your right down this path.
And as usual, the way finding exhibit will show you your location and the pathways to everything else.
Leaving the first three parking areas and returning to the main road, you will find the directions well marked. The exit of the park is to your left and the lodges and village are to your right.
If you missed the first three parking areas, you can turn right for one additional opportunity to park at the visitor center.
The final visitor center parking area is lot 4 the green or "Collared Lizard" lot.
There are accessible parking places here too, and although they are the farthest one from the canyon they are the closest to the bicycle rental facility, the Visitor Center itself and the Books and More bookstore.
From parking lot four the first thing you will see is the bike rental kiosk.
There's a way finding exhibit here too, but by then you will already see the entire visitor center in front of you.
All of the parking areas surround this visitor center and the brand new "Journey of Wonder" Grand Canyon Movie.
After you have finished your visit and return to the main road you will again find the exit to your left and the Grand canyon Village to your right.
If you come to this intersection you have left the visitor center and parking behind.
The Yavapai Lodge and Market Plaza are to your left and the Grand Canyon Village is about 2 miles straight ahead.
At this point you have passed the parking and the Visitor Center, and if you are still in your car you haven't even seen the canyon yet.
There is a glimpse of it to your right through the trees. El Tovar, Bright Angel, and Maswik lodges are a couple of miles in front of you farther down this road.
Before you get to the village though, you will pass right by the Yavapai Geology Museum. We'll talk about that one next time.
Yavapai Observation Station
The Yavapai Point Trailside Museum was created in 1928 for the observation and understanding of Grand Canyon geology. In this Ranger Minute, Ranger Paul Mayer takes us on a virtual tour of the museum's new exhibits and shows some of the geological features that can been seen through the large picture windows.
Ranger Minute - Sept. 2007 - Duration 3:10
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