As an Arizona native, I have spent multiple spring breaks and summers camping and hiking with my family in Grand Canyon National Park. As one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canyon is one of the most well known and most frequently visited places in the world, and for good reason! Around six million people venture to Northern Arizona each year to see the breathtaking natural phenomenon for themselves. Sadly, most travelers only visit the Grand Canyon for a few hours, and many people only see the Grand Canyon from its South Rim. To truly experience the wonder, history, and wildlife of the Grand Canyon, you should stay awhile, disconnect, and most importantly, hike! Grand Canyon National Park has something for each person and each skill level. The Grand Canyon is more than just beautiful views, it is a truly awe-inspiring place that every person should experience in their lifetime.
2+ days
Best Time to Visit: March through May or September through November for cooler weather and less crowds
Getting Around: car
Currency: US Dollars
If you are visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time and you only have a few days to do it, I would recommend exploring the South Rim, and that is where this guide will focus on. However, if you do have the time and the means, I would highly recommend making the four-hour drive to the other side of the canyon to spend some time at the North Rim. The North Rim offers a completely different experience than the South Rim. On the North Rim, you can find fewer crowds (even in peak season), cooler temperatures, and an additional 1000 feet of altitude. However, the North Rim has a shorter visitation season and is only open from mid-May to mid-October each year due to heavy snowfall in the winter.
If you’re most interested in the Grand Canyon Skywalk, then head to Grand Canyon West (which is not part of Grand Canyon National Park). The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located in the most accessible part of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and offers the surreal experience of walking 70 feet out over the Grand Canyon, with nothing but glass between you and the bottom of the canyon.
Where to Stay
El Tovar – a renowned landmark of the South Rim, El Tovar Hotel was built in 1905 and has housed many famous guests such as Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, Albert Einstein, and Paul McCartney. El Tovar exudes rustic elegance and is arguably the best location to stay within the National Park. The lodge provides accommodation, the best fine dining in the park, a lounge, and a gift shop.
Bright Angel Lodge – a more affordable option than the iconic El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge is charming and historic in its own right. This rustic lodge was built in 1935 and is a registered National Historic Landmark.
Phantom Ranch – the only accommodation located below the rim of the Grand Canyon. Phantom Ranch can be reached by hiking, mule, or rafting the Colorado River. There are dormitories available to hikers or private cabins for rent. Space is extremely limited and you must make reservations in advance here. Phantom Ranch is a true bucket-list stay!
Camp – there are multiple campgrounds located within Grand Canyon National Park and just outside the park. If you have the gear and want to immerse yourself in nature, consider Mather Campground, located within the National Park, for just $18 per night. Check out more South Rim camping options here.
Where to Eat
El Tovar Dining Room – the best fine dining within Grand Canyon National Park. Set within the historic lodge of the same name, El Tovar offers truly spectacular views of the canyon while you enjoy your meal.
Maswik Pizza Pub – skip the flatbread and grab a fresh pizza or two! The perfect casual meal after a long day of exploring Grand Canyon National Park.
Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe – the perfect place to start your day with fresh bagels, affordable food, and fast service.
Yavapai Tavern – a great place to unwind and refuel with casual bar food and counter service.
Canyon Village Marketplace and Deli – pick up snacks for your hike here, or fresh fruit and sandwiches to take away and enjoy a picnic on the South RIm.
Where to Hike
Bright Angel Trail – the most popular hiking trail from the South Rim, revealing stunning views that cannot be experienced from the rim. This trail is well maintained throughout the year and is frequently patrolled by park rangers. It also offers seasonal water sources at various times throughout the year. The total length of the trail (from Grand Canyon Village to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River) is about 10 miles, however, I would not recommend attempting to hike to the entire trail and back in one day (and neither would the National Parks Service) unless you are a well prepared, experienced hiker in peak physical condition. The trail has many switchbacks and you can make your hike as long or short as you want. Consider hiking to the 3 mile resthouse or to Indian Garden and enjoying snacks and water there before hiking back up. Keep in mind, you can choose how far you hike down into the canyon but once you are down there, you have no choice but to make the difficult hike all the way back up!
South Kaibab Trail – this trail provides an adventurous and challenging route through the steep canyon. You can take a convenient shuttle system to and from the South Kaibab trailhead throughout the day. I definitely recommend an early morning start for anyone wanting to explore this incredible hiking trail. Dropping nearly 5,000 feet in elevation in seven miles between the South Rim and the Colorado River, the trail has no water sources available, and much of the route is exposed to the sun and radiating rock formations. Don’t let the challenges dissuade you from day hiking the South Kaibab though, as the route displays stunning views of the expansive canyon not seen from the rim. Consider day hiking to places like Ooh-Aah-Point (1 mile down) or Cedar Ridge (1.5 miles down), which are both great turnaround points. For a longer hike, try hiking the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point (3 miles down), which provides the first glimpses of the Colorado River from the trail.
South Rim Trail – an easy, paved trail with minimal elevation change that runs about 7 miles along the south rim of the canyon. This route also includes the Trail of Time, a series of markers indicating how far you have travelled mapped onto geological timeline of the canyon. You can also find many scenic viewpoints here. Be sure to stop at Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Powell Point for some iconic scenery and photo opportunities. Note: Yavapai Point is one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset!
Rim to Rim – the ultimate Grand Canyon adventure! Although this hike takes a lot of preparation and planning, a rim to rim hike is the perfect way to spend time at both sides of Grand Canyon National Park. Most people start at the North Rim, taking the North Kaibab Trail down through the canyon and then taking Bright Angel Trail up to the South Rim. The rim to rim hike is nearly 23 miles in total, and while some hardcore athletes complete this hike in one day, I would recommend slowing down and taking a few days for a more immersive experience. Spend a night at Phantom Ranch or one of the various other campgrounds below the rim. In addition to preparing for the hike, keep in mind that you’ll need to arrange for a driver to drop you off on the North Rim and pick you up from the South Rim once you complete the hike.
Note: If you plan on hiking in the canyon (which you definitely should if you are able), plan ahead and come prepared with plenty of water. I recommend packing a Camelbak or similar pack with a bladder full of water and food such as trail mix, apple slices, peanut butter sandwiches, and granola bars. Start your hike early in the morning, especially in the summertime when temperatures can increase quickly. Wear a hat, as some parts of each trail are not shaded. As a general rule for most trails in the Grand Canyon, plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it takes to hike down. Always check the weather and conditions of the trail before you embark. We encountered ice at the top of Bright Angel Trail when we hiked in early March and David had to slide on his butt at some points! Check out more helpful tips about hiking in Grand Canyon National Park here.
What to Do
Walk the Trail of Time – embedded in the South Rim Trail, the Trail of Time is a great way to understand the history and geological significance of the Grand Canyon. Brass markers line each meter of the trail, representing the depth of the canyon as well as the varying rock formations of the time period. There are also multiple exhibits along the route that display rock samples from over 70 geological layers that make up the Grand Canyon.
Go Stargazing – to make the most out of your visit to the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend staying in the National Park until after dark to have an incredible stargazing experience. As an honored International Dark Sky Park, the Grand Canyon is one of the best places in the world to see stars, with minimal light pollution and distance from major cities. Head to any viewpoints along the rim for an unobstructed view of the night sky. Note: The park shuttles only run for one hour after sunset, so you will likely have to drive your own car. Be sure to bring a flashlight!
Take the Shuttle Along Hermit Road – if you are worn out from hiking, you can take the complimentary shuttle along Hermit Road all the way out to Hermit’s Rest. Hermit Road mirrors the Rim Trail and the shuttle will stop at each major viewpoint along the road. Hermit’s Rest is the last stop on the route and was constructed in 1914 to resemble an old miner’s cabin. It’s also a great spot to grab a hot chocolate on a chilly day.
View the Sunrise at Mather Point – there are many places to take in the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, however, Mather Point is by far the most popular. From a large point jutting out from the rim of the Grand Canyon, you have a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the rising sun over the canyon.
