GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
“You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view…
…as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.”
— JOHN WESLEY POWELL (FULL ACCOUNT HERE)
Welcome to the Ultimate Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guide
Encompassing miles and miles of the most spectacular display of erosion anywhere on the planet, Grand Canyon National Park is both inspiring and overwhelming.
One look into this magnificent and massive chasm in the earth’s crust is all it takes to discover what beauty truly is! Explore the North and South Rims with this trip planning guide to one of the most iconic destinations in the world.
GRAND CANYON AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Arizona
What It’s Famous For: A massive canyon and the beautiful river that carved it
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 8,803 feet above sea level (Imperial Point)
Established: February 26, 1919 — this is national park #10
Size: 1,218,375 acres — this is a large national park
Crowd Levels: High, with around 4.5 million visitors each year — this is the 4th busiest national park.
COMMON GRAND CANYON TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is the Grand Canyon, and how do I get there?
The Grand Canyon is in northern Arizona, and there are two sections of the park to visit (separated by a 4-hour drive).
I suggest flying into Las Vegas. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is the Grand Canyon open year-round?
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend at the Grand Canyon?
You’ll want at least 4-5 days to see both rims of Grand Canyon National Park.
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?
If you’re just getting started with your Grand Canyon trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: March or November
- Travel during the summer: June
- Go backpacking: May or October
- Save money: November – February
- Have a unique adventure: December
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect at the Grand Canyon — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO AT THE GRAND CANYON
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Bright Angel Point
- Angels Window and Cape Royal
- Coconino Overlook
- Point Imperial
- Mather Point
- Cedar Ridge
- Lower Tunnel
- Grandview Point
- Desert View Watchtower
- Hermit Road
- Trail of Time
- Moran Point
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot in Grand Canyon National Park in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do at the Grand Canyon:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Guided walks
- Evening programs
- Tusayan Museum and Ruin
WITH KIDS
- Trail of Time
- Jr. Ranger program
- Desert View Watchtower
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Biking
- Kolb Studio or Hopi House
- Scenic drives
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- The Rim Trail
- Ranger programs
- Desert View Scenic Drive
This massive list of things to do at the Grand Canyon will cover the travel needs of your entire group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, this post also includes high-adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do in winter, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best easy hikes at the Grand Canyon.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around the Grand Canyon.
Cedar Ridge Trail Guide
For a fabulous day hike below the rim, hike to Cedar Ridge via the South Kaibab Trail!
GRAND CANYON ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to the Grand Canyon, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the park — no more research needed!
LODGING AT THE GRAND CANYON
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Grand Canyon area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in Grand Canyon National Park and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to most viewpoint and trailhead parking areas with your own car, but not all. All points of interest at the North Rim can be accessed by car. The Grand Canyon Village area and the Desert View Scenic Drive at the South Rim can also be accessed by car.
If you want to get to the activities along the Hermit Road or hike the South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim, you’ll need to take the required free park shuttle — private vehicles are not permitted in these areas for most of the year.
Be advised that traffic jams are extremely common at the Grand Canyon and parking lots are almost always filled to capacity! If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can easily ride the shuttle or get parking without having to circle parking lots, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
If you are in an RV, bus, van, or are towing a trailer, it will be extremely difficult to find parking in most areas of Grand Canyon National Park. Many parking lots aren’t big enough to accommodate oversized vehicles.
If you’re visiting the South Rim, I highly suggest parking in Tusayan or the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and renting an e-bike or making use of the free shuttles.
If you are visiting the North Rim, you won’t be able to drive the Cape Royal Road with a vehicle over 22 feet in length. That greatly limits the points of interest that you can access at the North Rim.
You can learn more about all of these roads here.
Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Grand Canyon Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Disclosure: This Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash