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Most people miss out on some of the most amazing views of the canyon, but that doesn’t have to be you! Check out this itinerary before you go.
The South Rim
When speaking about a visit to the Grand Canyon, most people are usually referring to the South Rim. This is the hub of all visitor activity with many conveniences such as lodges, restaurants, visitor centers, tour guides, and shuttle buses. The majority of trails and viewpoints are within a few miles of each other, making it possible to see a lot in a short amount of time.
The South Rim is a spectacular place to experience the beauty and grandeur of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River that carves its way through it. While you may find it unpleasant to navigate through the crowds of people, it is well worth any effort it might take to finally get to peer over the edge of the rim and gasp in wonder and awe at the canyon below.
5. Mather Point
That moment when you catch your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon will forever be etched into your memory. For many people, this experience takes place at the dramatic Mather Point. The powerful Colorado River has carved a magnificent chasm in the earth that drops a vertical mile below your feet. Words and pictures will fail to convey your sense of wonder and amazement!
What You Need to Know
Because of its proximity to the Visitor Center, Mather Point will likely be bustling and full of excited energy. Views along the rim range from the Bright Angel Trail to the west, the South Kaibab Trail to the east, and the stunning North Rim straight ahead.
Getting Here
The short trail to Mather Point leaves from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, with signs pointing the way. You can also take the orange shuttle line to the Mather Point stop.
6. Lower Tunnel via the Bright Angel Trail
Consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous hikes in the country, the Bright Angel Trail is also one of the Grand Canyon’s most beloved trails. Even a short hike along the Bright Angel Trail provides a greater appreciation for the canyon and its enormity!
What You Need to Know
Once privately owned and only available to those willing to pay a hefty toll, this route to the Colorado River opened up with the establishment of the national park.
The trail to the 2nd Tunnel is 1.5 miles roundtrip, and pets are not permitted on this trail. Be prepared with plenty of water, good hiking shoes, and food, even if you are just planning on exploring a short section of the trail.
For more information about my favorite short and easy hikes at the Grand Canyon, take a look at this itinerary.
Getting Here
The trail starts west of the Bright Angel Lodge in the Grand Canyon Village.
7. Grandview Point
The view from Grandview Point is stunning, but the real intrigue of this stop is enhanced by a tale of two men who contributed to a fascinating era of mining and early tourism in the Grand Canyon. While little remains to indicate the area’s colorful past, if history interests you, a stop at Grandview provides an intriguing glimpse into the olden days.
What You Need to Know
A stop at Grandview Point provides a beautiful view of the canyon below. You’ll find an interpretive sign that briefly explains the history of the area and the Grandview Trail that leads to Horseshoe Mesa (where the mining took place) and eventually all the way to the Colorado River.
Getting Here
Grandview Point is located along the Desert View Drive, east of Grand Canyon Village.
8. Desert View Watchtower
Perched on the edge of the Grand Canyon lies the Desert View Watchtower! Explore this unique building and the surrounding area, then stick around for a magnificent sunset view.
What You Need to Know
Designed and built in the 1930s, this building is not meant to be a replica of a real Native American tower, but a celebration of the rich history of the area. There are a few narrow staircases to navigate to the very top, but even the first room (meant to resemble a kiva) was unique and inviting.
The Desert View Watchtower is the highest point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the views are alluring.
Getting Here
The Watchtower, Visitor Center, trading post, and campground are located just inside the East Entrance of the Park along the Desert View Drive.
9. Hermits Rest Road
Stand on the edge of the canyon rim and gaze out to some of the most phenomenal and heart-pounding views in the world. A breathtaking collection of the best Grand Canyon Vistas above the rim can be found along the Hermits Rest Road.
What You Need to Know
Private cars are not allowed on this road from March 1 to November 30, so be sure to catch the free shuttle bus (the red line) that picks up near the Bright Angel Trailhead (pets are not permitted on the park shuttles). Set aside about three hours if you are planning on getting off at every stop along the way. I highly recommend traveling the whole route if you have the time!
Taking the shuttle all the way to Hermits Rest proved to test the patience of our baby. If you have small children or a limited amount of time, you may want to consider a condensed experience.
If you’d like more information about the stops, as well as how to effectively navigate the Grand Canyon Shuttle, take a look at this itinerary.
Getting Here
The Hermits Rest Shuttle picks up near the Bright Angel Lodge and Trailhead. Parking in the area is limited, so it is likely that you will need to take the blue shuttle line to get to the Hermits Rest Route Transfer.
10. Trail of Time
Stroll into the past and discover the history of the Grand Canyon along the Trail of Time. With each step, you’ll venture deeper into the creation of the canyon, with hands-on displays including spotting scopes and rock samples.
What You Need to Know
The Trail of Time is a segment of the popular Rim Trail, which provides stunning views of the Grand Canyon below. This trail is great because of the canyon-edge views and the informative signs that teach about the formation of the canyon!
This trail is 1.3 miles one-way. Wheelchairs and strollers are perfect for this flat and paved trail.
Getting Here
The Trail of Time runs between the Yavapai Point and Geology Museum and the Verkamp’s Visitor Center. You can travel the trail in either direction. If starting at Yavapai Point, you will begin at year one and travel back in time billions of years. From Verkamp’s, the trail starts billions of years ago and works its way to the present.
I suggest parking at the Visitor Center and utilizing the blue and orange shuttle lines to reach your destination.
11. Cedar Ridge via the South Kaibab Trail
A gorgeous hike that provides sweeping views along a dramatic ridgeline is exactly what you will find along the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge. Prepare to be blown away by the spectacular beauty of the area and to get a glimpse of what the Grand Canyon looks like from below the rim.
I’ve dedicated a whole post to this fantastic day hike! Click here for a detailed description of the trail to Cedar Ridge.
12. Moran Point
A breathtaking and magical view of the Grand Canyon awaits you at Moran Point. Spectacular formations vibrantly colored with reds and oranges glow in the afternoon sun. The sparkling Colorado River finally makes an extended appearance for your postcard-worthy photographs.
What You Need to Know
Moran Point was named for Thomas Moran, a painter who traveled to the Grand Canyon with John Wesley Powell in 1873. Moran’s interpretation of Western American landscapes through his paintings greatly influenced the establishment of many national parks.
The powerful (and elusive) Colorado River is one of the many forces behind the creation of the stunning canyon. Because of the twists and turns of the rocks, plus the thousands of feet of elevation between the rim and the bottom of the canyon, seeing the river is rare. This stop provides an excellent view of the river!
Getting Here
Moran Point is located along the Desert View Drive, a few miles east of Grand Canyon Village.
Have a great time at the Grand Canyon. Happy trails!
Click NEXT to see the Ultimate Guide to the Grand Canyon.
Hi Ash! we are thinking of going to the Grand Canyon, from Las Vegas, for 4 or 5 days between January 22 and 26. We are worried about the weather, does it justify going at that time of year? It’s our first time in a park in the USA.
It’s snowy that time of year, but it can be absolutely magical :) I would read through this post to get a good idea of what it’s like in January!
Hey Ash,
So, sadly it’s going to rain when we go but we still want to risk it all and go hike a little. Do you think that’s a good idea? Do you have some things we can do indoors at the Grand Canyon? Because of the rain.
There are a bunch of interesting buildings/museums at the Grand Canyon Village. The IMAX movie in Tusayan is also popular. Have fun — stormy skies in the Grand Canyon can be incredible!
Hello Ash:
We are planning to come for the first time around mid March 2023. We will be accompanied by a 10 and 13 year old. I am thinking South rim will be interesting. What would be the top 3 trails that can be done in 2-3 nights we stay there? Also, do you think we may need to bring full winter gear for the evenings there?
Hey there,
You’ll get all of my suggestions for the South Rim in this itinerary. You’ll definitely want to watch the weather…it can get quite cold in March!
Hi Ash,
My husband and I are arriving at the Grand Canyon May 28th leaving May 31st. . We are staying at Yavapai Lodge. We are both in our 60’s. What would be the must sees while we are there? We like to hike but not long hikes. Is there a drive inside the park from the south rim to the north rim so we could visit both areas? Any advice you could give me would be great. Thank you
I’d just work your way through this list — it includes my favorite stops. For the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails, you can hike as far as you feel like going or just skip those altogether. Hermits Rest has some beautiful overlooks as well as Desert View Drive. The Rim Trail is awesome for an easier hiking option. You’ll have to drive about 4 hours to get from the North Rim to the South Rim — there’s not a direct route between the two. Have a great trip!
Hi,
My wife and I would like to visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon, it will be the first visit for both of us. I’ve done some preliminary research and found that March to May is one of the best times to visit. It appears to me that staying in the park makes a lot of sense considering how busy we’ll be when we’re there.
Looking at almost all of the hotels in the park, they appear to be booked for this May. Could that be true? Is necessary to book hotel reservations a year in advance? Do you have any suggestions for lodging for this May that would make sense for us? We selected May due to weather; however, if the weather on the south rim would be mild enough in April, we would consider visiting then.
Thanks for your help.
Craig
Hey Craig,
Yes, the hotels really do need to be reserved a year in advance! You can always watch for cancellations. We often stay in Tusayan, which is just a short drive from the South Rim. It’s not as convenient as being in the park, but it’s still a great location for exploring around. Overnight temperatures can still be quite cold in April at the South Rim, but daytime temperatures are usually nice. I think you’d have a fabulous trip in either April or May :)
We spend two nights at Phantom Ranch. I can only say: go for that’s permit. Greatest hikes i did.
That’s awesome that you were able to get reservations at Phantom Ranch! And I agree…hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was one of the best hikes I’ve ever done as well!
This is such a great resource! My husband and I are in Australia and dream of visiting the Grand Canyon someday. We came so close, visiting Las Vegas in 2015, but our trip in Vegas was too short to make it out to the Grand Canyon. We tossed up flying by helicopter out to the Western Rim, but when we found out it wasn’t part of the park we passed, vowing to come back and give the North and South Rims the justice of our time we felt they deserved. It’s still on the bucket list, so I’ll be bookmarking your wonderful guide til then!
Hope you make it there soon!
My husband and I will be in Vegas for New Year’s and plan to lodge in Kanab, Utah from Jan 2nd-5th. We’re not opposed to driving to Flagstaff for shuttles for our visits to the Grand Canyon, if the weather permits.
Any suggestions?
That’s a really long drive, so I personally wouldn’t day trip from Kanab. If you want to visit the South Rim, I’d book lodging down in that area and then loop back to Vegas from there!
My husband and I purchased your Yellowstone & Grand Teton 7 day tour two years ago and it was great! We will be in Vegas for business and extended our trip two days and hope to do the Grand Canyon in February. Does your GC tour cover winter? Thanks!
It does work in the winter, though there may be some seasonal closures due to weather. If you plan on hiking down into the canyon at all, you’ll likely need microspikes on your shoes — it can get really icy. Have fun!
Watch your young kids real close.
There are places from the top of the trail that have no security fence at all. It’s a straight drop
of 1 mile all the way down.
This would definitely ruin a
family outing.
Thanks for pointing out that the North Rim will be quieter and more relaxing. My husband and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon. It’ll just be the two of us so I want it be as relaxing as possible. I’ll definitely follow your advice and make our vacation spot on the North Rim!
It’s great….definitely more relaxing and quiet. Enjoy!
My daughter and myself are leaving from central Arkansas and heading to Az on May 26th. We want to make a stop at the Grand Canyon then head up to Page, Az on our way to Utah, then Co. What would you suggest as far as a place to stay for a night near the North Rim. Also, we will have our mini Australian Shepard. What is the policy for dogs in the area?
You can look here for the Grand Canyon’s pet policy: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/pets.htm
If you don’t have reservations at the North Rim Lodge, you can look into staying at Jacob Lake or the Kaibab Lodge. Places to stay in the area are pretty limited…and even staying in Jacob Lake puts you about an hour from the North Rim activities.
Have fun!
Hi Ash,
What a great resource you are! We are just starting to plan a trip to the Grand Canyon. We will be traveling for about a week (possibly an extra day or two) during the third week of April. I guess we’re kind of late in planning. We’d like to add some other sites (Bryce, Zion, Arches) on our trip, but am feeling a little overwhelmed with creating an itinerary. Want to maximize what we see, but not at a rushed over zealous pace. Any recommendations as to what is manageable? We can fly into Flagstaff, Phoenix or Las Vegas — any recommendations on which makes the most sense? We were initially thinking of RVing, but heard it can still be quite cold so we might just opt for lodging. Any advice (in addtion to what you have already provideded here) would be greatly appreciated
Flying into Flagstaff would be the least amount of driving, but all of those airports are frequently used for the trip you are describing. If you really have your heart set on seeing Arches, you could make it work….but it would probably make your trip feel rushed. The Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon are all pretty close to each other, so you could definitely make that work in the amount of time that you have! It’s up to you and what you want to see while you’re here!
I have itineraries available for all of those parks that make it much easier to plan out your trip. You can find them here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ Feel free to email me at ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com with any further questions you have. I’m happy to help with the specifics.
Hi Ash!
My wife and I are would like to visit the Grand Canyon sometime late May or early June, if will be our first time to the GC. I was wondering what Itinerary would be best for us we will have a week! Also we will be flying out from Ny so where would the best place to start from? If it’s possible we would like to do both north and south rim and Brice national Park if time let’s us. Thanks for any info!
Happy Holidays!
Rob
Hi Rob, I’m going to send you an email so that I can answer your questions more thoroughly!
Hi Ash,
We are looking at planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, in your opinion, what is the best time of the year to go?
I really enjoy late in the fall {late October/early November} or early in the spring {late February/early March}!
What would you recommend doing if you’re going the first weekend of Februrary?
Hey Emily! I would still work my way through the list for the South Rim. The viewpoints and trails at the rim of the canyon should still be accessible. You may run into snow and ice on the corridor trails — South Kaibab and Bright Angel — so you’ll have to play that by ear when you get there. Getting some Yaktrax or something similar for your shoes will help if you still plan on hiking. But really it will just depend on how much snow is there when you go. Have fun!
Hi Ash, great tips and awesome photos!
We’re traveling from vegas to south rim just for a day.
What would be the best area to cover that is achievable in the day and where to stop for the sunset?
Would really appreciate your thoughts. We don’t have a clue what we’ll do once we’re there and would really want to make the most of it. We’re a family traveling with a 11 yr old girl and 9 yr old boy
Cheers
Garry
Hey there Garry,
I’ve got a plan all laid out for you in my 1-day South Rim itinerary. It’s what I would recommend based on the amount of time you have in the park. You can find it here: https://dirtinmyshoes.leadpages.co/grand-canyon-itinerary/
Have fun!!
Ash
we are planning trip to the south rim and ride the train to the canyon is this money will spent am I going to see the beauty
The train ride just takes you from Williams to the South Rim, you won’t actually see the Grand Canyon from the train. It’s a fun experience, but you’ll definitely want a plan of things to do once you get to the Grand Canyon so that you can enjoy the South Rim when you get there!
Hi we will be coming from Las Vegas up to Yellowstone is there an entry not far from this route
The West Yellowstone entrance would probably be the fastest way in to Yellowstone if you’re coming from Vegas. Have a great time!
Hey Ash!
Making a 3 day stop at the Grand Canyon after a few days in Vegas. Have a place reserved that is about 30 miles south of the South rim park entrance. Definitely visiting the South rim! Curious though, the Havusa Falls…doable in a day trip, one of those 3 days? Or more worth while to see and experience the south rim? Seems like a good drive and long hike in/out…dont want to over do it and stretch us too thin. Thanks for any advice!
A trip down to Havasu Falls actually takes a good deal of planning to get permits and campsites. It’s not recommended to hike down and back in a day…and yeah, it’s quite a haul to even get to the trailhead. I would definitely save it for another trip and give yourself more time to enjoy the area. The South Rim is an awesome place to start and you can easily spend 3 days in that area alone.
Have a great time!!
Hi! My husband and I are planning a super last minute road trip the last month of May, obviously there are no more reservations at the campgrounds right now. Do you know what time is best to arrive for a first come first serve site? Any other recommendations as far as snagging one early? We just purchased our itinerary :) Thank you for all your advice!
As early as possible :) No later than 7:30 or 8 though!
We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon in Mid May. We have made reservations in Kanab, Utah. Is that too far from the South rim to make day trips?
Yeah Kanab will be a VERY long drive to the South Rim :( The North Rim is within driving distance though and is opening for the season on May 15!
Suggestions? Would Tuba City be better? Or would it be just as fast to drive from Flagstaff?
If you can’t find anything in Tusayan, I would stay in Williams. Tuba City and Flagstaff are both a pretty long drive….I always recommend staying as close to the park as possible to maximize sightseeing time.
My family of 8 people (2 people in their late 50’s and 6 people in their mid-20s to early 30’s) are taking a week to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time this July. I love your helpful list of things not to miss! Do you think it’s possible for us to plan to do almost all the things on your list? Or is that biting off more than we can chew?
I think a week is definitely doable! I suggest 3 days at the South Rim to get all of that done and 1.5-2 days at the North Rim if you’re planning on driving up there. I’ve laid out what I would do here: https://dirtinmyshoes.leadpages.co/grand-canyon-itinerary/
Hope that helps! Shoot any other questions you have my way {ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com}
Thank you for your input!! We are planning a trip to Las Vegas and wanted to take a short road trip to the Grand Canyon. Originally we were thinking we would hit Bryce Canyon and then head down to the North Rim. But the trip is in April so thanks to your info, we now know we won’t have road access. Is the Grand Canyon West owned by the Hualapai worth visiting? Is it a good representation of the Canyon or should we skip that and travel all the way down to the South Rim? I would appreciate your input as we have never traveled to the area.
Wendy, I definitely think the extra drive to the South Rim is worth it! Especially if it’s your first visit to the Grand Canyon, the West Rim is not the best place to start {in my humble opinion :)}. Lots of people who want to see the Grand Canyon from Vegas end up at the West Rim, but if it were me I would most certainly recommend going to the South Rim instead. I think you’ll be really glad you did!
Hi, thanks to you I found out that the facilities at the North Rim are opening May 15, but we will be there around May 9. Do you know if the lookout points and trails will be open at the time we’ll be visiting?
Hey Aukje! I’m not 100% sure, but I actually don’t even think that the road to get to the North Rim will be open at that time. They close the road every year from about November – May. I would call the Grand Canyon to find out for certain, but you may have to go to the South Rim instead!
HI Ash,
My family and I are driving to Oklahoma from California in a couple weeks and wanted to see the Grand Canyon on our way. We will have a 3 year old with us and are just stopping for a day. Any suggestions on how we can get the most out of our visit with a little one and only one day?
Hey Marshay,
For one day on the South Rim, I would recommend hiking part of the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail (Bright Angel is easier) and then catching the red shuttle line that travels out to Hermits Rest. You don’t have to go all the way to the end — that might prove to be too much for the 3 year old. Mohave Point is a good turnaround spot. Then if you have any time left, I recommend driving out to some of the viewpoints along the Desert View Drive :)
Ash thank you for getting back to me! So after some more consideration we do want to have a good experience at the Grand Canyon and have decided not to camp.
Today I found available lodging at the Yavapai Lodge in the SR village but not run by the National Park system. Should I reserve or just stay in Tusayan? Room at Yavapai is much cheaper…buts sometimes you get what you pay for if you get the gist! Your thoughts please!
The Yavapai is run by a concessionaire for the NPS and is a good budget-friendly option if you want to be right in the park. I have never personally stayed there, but generally what you will find in any park lodging (unless you spend the big bucks :) ) is a very basic room without any frills. Some don’t have AC or heat, private bathrooms, TVs, etc. You will get a nicer room in Tusayan, but at the Yavapai you are paying for location, not comforts or amenities. I think you would have fun staying in the park just as long as your expectations for the room aren’t too high!
Dear Ash I truly enjoyed your tips on the Grand Canyon! We will be visiting in Sept. 23rd I made a reservation in Tusayan for 2 nights. I missed out on any lodging at the South rim,seems to be all booked. However, we are not opposed to bare roots tent camping which is 90 percent cheaper! My concern is night time temps. From what I have read daytime temps will be approx 70 degrees and lows in the 40’s. Can you offer any more advise? We will be entering from the East entrance as traveling from Bryce. Any info will be greatly appreciated!
Hey Cathy,
Yeah it does cool down quite a bit at night at that time of year. I’ve been there in October and it was chilly :) We don’t camp at that time of year because we have a little toddler who kicks off all of his blankets so we usually opt for a hotel instead. But if everyone bundles up and you get a good fire going, you will probably be just fine! We’ve stayed in the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan before and it is still quite convenient to the South Rim — I didn’t have a problem staying there at all. And it surprisingly was a pretty budget friendly option for being so close to the Grand Canyon. I understand wanting to save some money!
Hello,
I’m wanting to go to the grand canyon and Vegas the end of November. There will be 5-9 of us.
We want to end in Vegas. We are planning on going to the NFR -opening night. Do have any suggestions for Grand Canyon. Where to go and what to see. it is a short trip. It’s a week Monday thru Saturday
Hi Kathy! You’ll find all of my suggestions in the Grand Canyon Itinerary. Have fun!