Things To Do

 

 

Rim walk in the South Rim Historic District.

There are many ways to experience Grand Canyon.

Individual interests, available time, and the weather
can all influence a visit.

Below are some suggestions to assist you in personalizing your Grand Canyon experience.

Choose Your Destination: --South Rim --- North Rim

 

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The South Rim and Desert View (Open All Year)

 

Attend Free Ranger Programs
Learn more about the the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon with a park ranger as your guide. Download the current Ranger Program Schedule
Kids: Be a Junior Ranger -------- Ranger Minutes (audio-video insights)

 

Stop by the Visitor Center or one of the Museums
The South Rim offers a variety of museums and information centers that house exhibits and provide park information. Learn more about information centers.
Learn about South Rim bookstores and gift shops.

 

Watch the park orientation film, Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, shown at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The movie is 20 minutes long and starts on the hour and half-hour. The first showing begins at 8:30 a.m. and the last showing is at 4:30 p.m. daily.

 

Your phone provides a fun way to learn more about the Park.
Listen to park rangers give 2 minute audio tours at various points of interest on the South Rim, from Hermit Road to Yaki Point, and the North Rim. Learn more...

 

Walking or Hiking
Walk part of the well defined, and mostly level Rim Trail, starting from any viewpoint in the village or along the historic Hermit Road and greenway. Day hike in and around the canyon or backpack overnight below the rim. (permit required)

 

Walk the Trail of Time between the Yavapai Museum of Geology and the Verkamps Visitor Center 1.2 miles (2 km) The path contains information about the canyon's geologic history, as well as samples from each layer of the canyon. Read more here...

 

Bicycle rentals and guided bicycle tours are available between April 1 and October 31. (other times, when weather permits - visit the link for updates) The facility is located by the Visitor Center and they also have a coffee bar/ café with a "grab & go" menu targeted towards hikers, bikers and pedestrians. The Café is open year-round.

 

Tour the Scenic Hermit Road
Offering some of the best scenic views that are available, Free shuttle bus service runs March 1 - Nov. 30, with the road closed to private vehicles. Commercial bus tours are available, or travel by foot, or bicycle. More...

 

Visit the Scenic Desert View Drive
East of Grand Canyon Village, tour in your private vehicle or by commercial bus tour. 25 miles (42 km) one-way. Views of the river at Moran, Lipan and Desert View Points. You may exit or enter the park to the east. (via Arizona highways 64 and 89)

 

At Desert View Point, climb to the top of a 70 ft. tall (21.5 m) stone Watchtower for a panoramic view that extends for more than 100 miles on a clear day. The historic Watchtower is a replica of the prehistoric towers found on the Colorado Plateau and was designed in 1932 by legendary architect, Mary Jane Colter.

 

The Tusayan Museum and Ruin, near Desert View, provides a glimpse into Pueblo Indian life at Grand Canyon some 800 years ago. View indoor exhibits and walk a self-guiding trail through the ruin. How was the life of these early people similar to ours today?

 

Whitewater and Smoothwater raft trips on the Colorado River
Whitewater trips through Grand Canyon last from 3 days to 21 days and require reservations well in advance. Half-day smoothwater trips from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry may be arranged by any Lodge in the park transportation from park lodges to the Dam is included.

 

Visit a Grand Canyon Photo Hot Spot. Lighting is the key to all good photos. When it comes to the Grand Canyon, the lighting is more dramatic during the early morning and the late afternoon. Long shadows bring out depth and texture.

 

Participate in a Grand Canyon Field Institute Learning Adventure
The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers guided educational tours led by expert instructors while backpacking, camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting. Topics include geology, history, archaeology, photography, and more.

 

Journey to Grand Canyon National Park aboard Grand Canyon Railway
From Williams, Arizona (along Interstate 40) the Grand Canyon Railway carries more than 230,000 people by rail to Grand Canyon National Park each year.
Learn more...

 

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North Rim (lodging and food service open May 15 through mid-October)

 

The North Rim Visitor Center is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. This is a great place to start your adventure on the North Rim. Speak with a ranger who will be happy to help with questions you may have about the area. The Visitor Center also features interpretive exhibits, maps, brochures and a bookstore.

 

Free Interpretive Ranger Programs
are offered daily throughout the 2013 season that started May 15th.
Download the 2013 Program Schedule here (270 kb PDF File)

 

Take a day hike through this beautiful scenery. Experience the wild and remote feeling of the North Rim. Solitude can be found hiking the trails, and enjoying an awe-inspiring view. Watch mule deer and turkeys feeding in mountain meadows. Enjoy, discover, and celebrate the unique world of the North Rim.

 

Tour the North Rim Scenic Drive
Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via a winding scenic drive. Driving to both points, with short walks at each and several stops at pullouts along the way, can take half a day. Point Imperial is 11 miles/ 18km - 20 min. one way. Cape Royal is 23 miles/ 37km - 45 min. one way.

 

North Rim lodging and food service are open mid-May to mid-October only.
Read about off-season visits with limited services here.

 

"Traveling Green"
is a great way to help Grand Canyon and other areas you visit reduce carbon emissions, divert and reduce what goes into the waste stream, and to generally help the environment. Go to the Traveling Green page for helpful tips on planning your next green adventure.

Thanks for doing what you can to help protect our environment!