Plan Your Visit to Grand Canyon National Park
This Grand Canyon travel guide helps you plan a first trip without spending hours figuring out which viewpoints, hikes, and stops are actually worth your vacation time. The Grand Canyon is enormous, but you don’t need to see every overlook to understand why people stand at the rim staring into it much longer than they expected.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and how to spend your time without rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint. I’ve also included the experiences that make a first Grand Canyon trip memorable, from watching the sunrise at Mather Point and walking part of the Rim Trail to peering into the canyon from Desert View Watchtower and hiking below the rim for a completely different perspective.
READ 13 Incredible Day Trips from Flagstaff Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park at a Glance
Best area for a first visit: South Rim
How much time: 1 full day for South Rim highlights; 2–3 days if you want to hike and explore at a slower pace
Best time to visit: Spring and fall for cooler hiking temperatures
Best sunrise: Mather Point
Best easy walk: Rim Trail
Best hike below the rim: Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail
Best scenic drive: Desert View Drive
Don’t miss: Desert View Watchtower
Where to stay: Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, or inside the park
Closest larger city: Flagstaff
Getting around: Free park shuttles serve much of the South Rim, with routes changing seasonally
Good to know: Temperatures below the rim can be dramatically hotter than temperatures at the top
Before you go: Check current trail closures, water availability, shuttle schedules, weather, and heat warnings
Grand Canyon National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do at Grand Canyon National Park
1. Watch the sunrise from Mather Point
2. Walk a section of the Rim Trail
3. Hike below the rim on Bright Angel Trail
4. Hike part of South Kaibab Trail for wide-open canyon views
5. Explore the Trail of Time
6. Stop at Yavapai Geology Museum
7. Ride the shuttle along Hermit Road when it is operating
8. Visit historic Grand Canyon Village and Hopi House
9. Drive Desert View Drive and stop at the overlooks
10. Climb the stairs inside Desert View Watchtower when access is available
Where is Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is in northwest Arizona. It is 277 miles long, 6,000 feet deep, 18 miles wide, and covers 1,217,262 acres of land. The Colorado River divides the canyon. It is possible to see glimpses of the river from the rim walk. At its widest, the river is 300 feet across. At its deepest, it is 85 feet deep. The distance across the canyon rim is 10 miles yet it is a 220-mile (5 hours) drive between the North and South Rims.
Which Side of the Grand Canyon is Best to Visit
The canyon is split into the North, South, and West Rims. The South Rim is considered the most beautiful and receives 90% of the visitors to the Grand Canyon. Although not as popular as the South Rim, it is possible to visit the North Rim. The West Rim has become increasingly popular due to its skywalk. The Grand Canyon Skywalk and Havasupai waterfalls are located on tribal lands. The East Rim is an unofficial area of the Grand Canyon. The East Rim includes Antelope Canyon, Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Navajo Bridge, Cameron Trading Post, and Lake Powell.
How to get to Grand Canyon National Park
The best way to visit Grand Canyon National Park is to fly to Flagstaff Arizona and rent a car. The park is a 90-minute drive from Flagstaff and an easy day trip destination. It is also easy to visit highlights of the East Rim from Flagstaff making the city the perfect base for planning a northern Arizona adventure.
It is possible to visit the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas Nevada or Phoenix Arizona. The drive is around 4 hours. Shuttle and bus service is available between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. Both cities offer organized day trip opportunities.
Grand Canyon National Park Entrance Fees and Park Hours
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The entrance per vehicle is $35 and $30 per motorcycle. If you are entering the Grand Canyon on foot, including on the Grand Canyon Railroad, entrance is $20 per person. Shuttle service within the park is free. If you plan to visit nearby National Parks, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass to save money.
Where to Camp at Grand Canyon National Park
Mather Campground is open year-round for tent and RV camping with no hookups. Restrooms, showers, and laundry are available. Leashed pets are allowed. Reservations are suggested, the campground is usually full by noon.
Trailer Village has paved RV sites with full hookups. Leashed pets are allowed. Reservations are suggested.
Desert View Campground has space for tents and small RVs with no hookups. Reservations are required. This area is closed in the winter.
Phantom Ranch has dorm rooms and cabins at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This is the only lodging below the canyon rim and reservations are required.
Backcountry Camping Permits are available.
Facts About the Grand Canyon
- The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
- The Grand Canyon was designated a national monument in 1908 and a national park in 1919.
- Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site, it is illegal to remove anything including rocks or wood.
- The Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai, Paiute, and Hualapai Native American tribes reside in the canyon.
- It would require 1–2 quadrillion gallons of water to fill the Grand Canyon.
- There are over 1,000 caves in the Grand Canyon.
- Grand Canyon National Park is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
- There is very little light pollution at the Grand Canyon and it is possible to see the Milky Way.
- Rock squirrels are the Grand Canyon’s most dangerous animal, don’t feed them, they bite.
- The Pink Rattlesnake is only found in the Grand Canyon.
- There is a 1:400,000 chance of falling into the canyon.
Best Time of Year to Visit Grand Canyon National Park
Summer is high season at the Grand Canyon. Expect limited accommodation, crowds, and long wait times for the park shuttle. Rain is common in July. March through May and September through November are shoulder seasons. The crowds are thin and the temperature cools, be sure to pack warm clothes and wear layers. You may find snow on the canyon in November. Winter months are cold and snow is common.
How Many Days Do I Need at Grand Canyon National Park
You will need one day to complete the canyon’s rim walk and at least 2 days if you wish to hike to the bottom of the canyon.
Things to Do at Grand Canyon National Park
- Watch the sunrise from Mather Point.
- Walk or rent a bike and enjoy the views on the Rim Trail.
- Take a bike ride along Hermit Road.
- Climb the Desert View Watchtower for panoramic views of the Palisades of the Desert.
- Join a Ranger-led program.
- Hike to the bottom of the canyon and visit Phantom Ranch.
- Take a mule ride into the Grand Canyon.
- Learn about the canyon’s formation, geology, and history on the Trail of Time.
- Check out the arts and crafts at the Hopi House.
- Relax in the lobby of the El Tovar Hotel.
- Stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and check out the exhibits, watch the IMAX movie, and shop for a souvenir.
- Check out the exhibits at the Yavapai Museum of Geology.
- Browse the art at the Kolb Studio, and watch artists paint the canyon in September.
- Stop for an ice cream cone on the deck of Bright Angel Lodge.
- Ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams Arizona to the South Rim of the park.
- Go whitewater rafting on the Colorado River to Phantom Ranch then hike out of the canyon.
- Enjoy a Grand Canyon helicopter ride.
- Check the Grand Canyon National Park Service website for current events.
Popular Trails and Hikes at Grand Canyon National Park
Be sure to review these hiking tips from the National Park Service before starting out. Hiking to the bottom of the canyon will take between 4-6 hours. For every hour you hike down, plan 2 hours to come back up. It is not recommended to hike to the bottom and out on the same day. Consider hiking down at least part of one of the trails during your visit. Click on each trail for a map to plan your hiking route.
Rim Trail is a 13-mile round trip mostly paved trail with shade. The trail is popular for the incredible views down into the canyon.
Bright Angel Trail is a 7.8 miles one way hike to the bottom of the canyon. This is a steep dirt trail with some shade. Water is available on the trail.
South Kaibab Trail is a steep 6.3 miles one way dirt trail to the bottom of the canyon. This trail offers great views but has little shade and water is not available. Consider this hike at sunrise.
Hermit Trail is a 7-mile round trip unmaintained strenuous trail for experienced desert hikers.
Grandview Trail is an unmaintained strenuous trail with large steps and drop-offs. The trail to Coconino Saddle is 2.2 miles roundtrip, and Horseshoe Mesa is 6.4 miles roundtrip.
Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
- Arrive before 9 am to avoid long lines at the entrance gate.
- Dress in layers and expect temperature changes.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
- Use the free shuttle to make the most of your time.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Bring a picnic lunch with you.
- Learn bear safety.
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks
Sites Near the Grand Canyon Worth Visiting
Horseshoe Bend, Marble Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell, Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument, West Rim Skywalk, Route 66, Oatman Arizona, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
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