Those native to the Grand Canyon region including the O’odham and Piipaash people have been in on this quietly tasty plant for centuries. Not only can you eat theimposing prickly pear, it’s also good for you. Your mother will be happy to know that these cacti are high in antioxidants and fiber, and a solid source of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.

You can snack on the purple fruit of the prickly pear as well as the pads of the cactus —that’s the main green part with the spiky stickers. While the prickly pear is also known as the devil's-tongue, it can be just heavenly to cook with. Some say that it tastes a bit like watermelon.

At this website, you can pick up an array of prickly pear products including coffee grounds, lemonade, margarita mix, syrup, salsa and marmalade. We also feature apparel, locally made jewelry and artwork and much more.

You might be sitting there thinking, “Maybe it’s good for me, but I still don’t know about eating a cactus.” In that case, consider that prairie dogs, jackrabbits, bats, iguanas and coyotes also dine on this desert staple (this may or may not sway your decision). Regardless, there are 18 species of prickly pear within the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Further, the prickly pear is as tough as it looks. It can withstand temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which you might expect from a cactus. But this plant can take the cold, too, tolerating temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the prickly pear is hardy, you might consider planting it in your garden. Just keep in mind that this cactus reproduces and spreads quickly.

Finally, if you’re looking to impress at trivia night, the prickly pear is the official cactus of Texas and it’s featured on the Mexican coat of arms.

Now, you’re on your way to becoming an amateur eremologist (a scientist who studies desert features and phenomenon). The best in prickly pear tastes and authentic Grand Canyon keepsakes can be found right here.

Approximately 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year. Before this unique natural world became a national park, 11 different tribal nations called this beautiful living landscape home, and still do.

Native people are the very first to exist in harmony with the high desert and canyon environment, and their artistry endures into the present day through living tribal artists and artisans.

Traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon National Park include:

• Havasupai Tribe (Havasu’baaja)
• Hopi Tribe (Hopisinom)
• Hualapai Tribe (Hwal’bay)
• Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians (Nungwu)
• Las Vegas Paiute Tribe (Nungwu)
• Moapa Band of Paiutes (Nungwu)
• Dine’ (Navajo) Nation
• Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (Nungwu)
• San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe (Nungwu)
• The Pueblo of Zuni (A:shiwi)
• Yavapai-Apache Nation (Yavap’e-Nnee)

Today, the park shares boundaries with three federally recognized tribes: the Dine’ (Navajo), Hualapai and Havasupai. The Desert View region represents the physical and cultural gateway from Grand Canyon National Park to the Dine’ (Navajo) and Hopi reservations.

Indigenous people have been an inextricable part of the land for centuries. Ancestral and Modern Pueblo Peoples developed complex irrigation systems in the harsh desert landscape. This enables them to grow crops such as beans, corn and squash, known as the revered “Three Sisters.” The Dine’ (Navajo) rely on horses for transportation. One of the oldest living cultures in documented history, the Hopi cultivate cotton to make cloth.

The 11 tribes of the Grand Canyon region are also well known for their artistry and craftmanship. Their creations — silver jewelry often embellished with turquoise and coral (generally representing the sky and earth), woven baskets, hand-made textiles featuring natural dyes, thrown pottery and more — are extremely popular. Native American art often contains symbols and signs of their culture, heritage and beliefs, honoring nature and their ancestors.

Traditional Native American artwork of the region includes the sand paintings and hand-woven rugs of the Dine’ (Navajo), the Kachina dolls and pottery of the Hopi and inlay jewelry of the Zuni Pueblo, among many others.

There is much to learn from the Indigenous people of the American Southwest. These groups have long been celebrated for their artistry and craftmanship. When you purchase an elegant bracelet or intricately woven basket from a Native American artist, you'll take home a piece of art rooted in ancient history and living cultural connections.

Strengthen the original spirit of the canyon country. Peruse authentic, native-made creations today.

The thing about natural wonders of the world is that there’s only seven of them. There’s the Grand Canyon, northern lights, Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Victoria Falls, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro and Paricutin, Mexico. With such a limited supply, you need to take good care of them.

That’s what Delaware North seeks to do with its lodging and retail operations at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. This effort takes several shapes. It includes a focus on locally made and authentic Native American retail products, among several other important environmental priorities.

“Working in the national parks is very meaningful to Delaware North and we want to take care of these special places,” said Kaitlin Christiansen, environmental/risk manager, Delaware North at Grand Canyon. “So, we look to minimize packaging waste from our vendors. Reducing single-use plastics is a key priority and our new plush vendor uses plastic-free shipping. We’re always seeking to take small steps that add up over time.”

Those steps include updated water fixtures, enhanced refrigeration and new LED lighting in stores. It means minimizing packaging as much as possible and not selling bottled water. The Delaware North team focuses on a circular economy, which is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. This is put into practice as both batteries and cigarette butts are recycled. Plus, leftover cardboard is baled and backhauled by a grocery vendor while plastic bottles and aluminum cans are taken by our beverage partner, Pepsi, to recycling facilities.

At the South Rim, our environmental efforts have focused primarily on three areas: purchasing, waste and water/energy.

Our priorities at the South Rim include:

Purchasing

• Purchase and use environmentally friendly products whenever available and feasible
• Ensure 70% of retail products sold are made in the United States
• Dedicate 50% of Desert View Trading Post retail space to culturally tribe-specific handicrafts, jewelry and artwork
• Ensure that at least 30% of foods purchased are local, sustainable and/or organic
• Purchase 90% of food ingredients within 190 miles of the property
• Purchase hormone- and antibiotic-free meat products
• Provide 100% of coffee, tea, chocolate and hot chocolate from fair-trade or rainforest-certified sources
• Offer at least 40% of beverage menu items without added sugar

Waste

Working directly with the National Park Service, Delaware North achieved 57% waste diversion from the landfill in 2020 — with a goal to achieve Zero Waste over the life of our contract through the following practices:

• Using reusable cups, dishware and silverware at Yavapai Tavern and Restaurant when possible
• Donating Canyon Village Market food products nearing expiration to local food pantry to benefit the community
• Educating guests on the impact of straws through The Last Straw campaign, using straw-free lids at our coffee operations and providing phade® compostable straws when requested
• Responsibly sourcing recyclable or compostable single-use packaging whenever possible
• Recycling electronic waste with an environmentally ethical, zero-waste-certified company twice a year
• Donating usable construction items, furniture and soft goods to local charities and communities
• Issuing all new employees reusable cups for use in the workplace
• Using refillable bottles and washable rags for cleaning
• Recycling cigarette butts collected from our facility into plastic lumber used to make items like the picnic tables in front of the Canyon Village Market and Desert View Market
• Only offering paper bags and reusable bags in stores

Water/energy

Water/energy is a key priority at the Grand Canyon as well. Our goal is to reduceboth water and energy use 40% by 2025.

“We’re always looking to purchase materials that are compostable with the least environmental impact,” shared Christiansen. “We sell reusable bags made from plastic bottles and feature an Eco Shop area of the store that highlights sustainable products. We look to reuse packing peanuts and share food that is nearing expiration with a local food pantry. It’s many tactics aligned with one larger, overarching goal.”

Today, Delaware North is working to ensure that future generations can also enjoy the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon.

Odds are, you’re picturing a brightly lit desert scene. But this is only the half the story. Grand Canyon National Park also has a dark side that’s just as spectacular as its sunny daytime appearance.

Far from the light pollution that obscures the skies in urban areas, this International Dark Sky Park gets extremely dark at night. Here, the night skies come alive.

Light pollution is sneaky. It’s really about what you’re not seeing. City lights obscure the stars, planets and comets that reside right above our heads. That’s a shame. And it’s a reason to journey to the Grand Canyon to view night skies as they appeared before the Industrial Revolution.

At the remote Grand Canyon, you can observe constellations, meteor showers and moon phases. Plus, on clear, moonless nights, the Milky Way itself.

If you’re ready to see starry nights at a whole different level, be a part of the 2024 Grand Canyon Star Party. Taking place June 1 through 8, this is a can’t-miss event for amateur astronomers of all experience levels. During the Star Party, the entire park becomes one enormous observatory. With free astronomy talks and telescopes for guests to use, it’s a star lover’s dream scene.

The South Rim is awash in ideal viewpoints for stargazing. To really soak up the best views, you’ll want to venture out in the park to the premierstargazing spots. Such as Yavapai Point, Mather Point, Desert View, Moran Point, Lipan Point and more. Check them out for yourself — you’ll be happy you did.

Need lodging for your celestial journey? Yavapai Lodge’s Stargazing Package includes overnight accommodations, binoculars, LED headlamps with white and red night-vision lights, a pocket star finder, a National Geographic night sky guidebook and more. Yavapai Lodge is located just steps from the South Rim, close to all the prime night sky viewing spots.

And if you’re looking for a night vision flashlight to use on your stargazing trip or Dark Sky apparel and drinkware, we have you covered.

The stargazing at the Grand Canyon is as good as anywhere on Earth. Make plans now to be awestruck under the stars with your favorite people.

Coming Soon!