Things To Do

 

Taking a 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.

Here are some suggestions to assist you in personalizing your 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 Grand Canyon nature, science, history and culture with a park ranger as your guide.
South Rim Village Ranger Program Schedule
South Rim Desert View Ranger Program Schedule and Cultural Demonstrations

Learn how youth can become Junior Rangers

 

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 visitor 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 9 am and the last showing is at 4 pm daily.

 

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 Yavapai Museum of Geology and Verkamps Visitor Center 1.2 miles (2 km) along the canyon rim. View photos here. The path contains information about the canyon's geologic history, as well as samples from each layer of the canyon. More...

 

Did you bring your bicycle with you? Read about South Rim bicycling.

Also available are bicycle rentals & guided bicycle tours, weather permitting. Bright Angel Bicycles is located by the Visitor Center. They also operate a coffee bar/café with a "grab & go" menu targeted towards bicyclists and pedestrians.

 

Tour 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...

 

Take a trip out on 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.

South Rim Desert View Ranger Program Schedule and Cultural Demonstrations

 

Tusayan Ruin
is the remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View. Tusayan Museum has exhibits that help bring the pueblo to life. Admission is free. Hours: 9 am to 5 pm. There are also ranger-led tours of the ruins daily More...

 

South Rim Mule Trips are offered year round.

The Canyon Vistas Ride is a 3 hour trip that travels along the canyon rim.
Overnight Rides go to the bottom of the canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch. More..

 

Participate in a Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute Learning Adventure
The Grand Canyon Conservancy 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. Download 2019 Schedule of Classes.

 

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.

 

Capture Grand Canyon in Photos
Taking photos is a great way to make your Grand Canyon trip last. Whether you share them on social media or compile them in a scrapbook, having great photos of your adventure is the best souvenir. Here are some suggestions about the best times of day to shoot and, insider information about popular photo hot spots.

 

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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The North Rim (has a short season) May 15 through October 15 each year.

 

The North Rim is open for "dawn to dusk" day use through November 30, 2018.

The following services have closed for the winter: Grand Canyon Lodge, food services, general store, North Rim Campground, Canyon Trail Rides, Visitor Center and park ranger programming.

To find out what this means, and when the North Rim will be fully open again, visit this link >

 

North Rim Visitor Center

Is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. Closed for the Winter.

• 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.

 

North Rim Ranger Programs

Have ended for the 2018 season. Interpretive programs are free and will be offered daily throughout the 2019 season; between May 15th and October 15th.

• Visit the North Rim Park Ranger Program webpage for more information.
• Learn how youth can become Junior Rangers

 

North Rim Day Hiking

During the season, 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.

 

North Rim Mule Trips

Have ended for the 2018 season.
Are offered May 15 through October 15, of each year.

• One Hour Ride Grand Canyon rim. 1/2 Day Trip to Uncle Jim Point
• Inner-Canyon 1/2 Day Trip to Supai Tunnel on the North Kaibab Trail More..

 

Tour the North Rim Scenic Drive (photos)

During the season, Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via a winding scenic drive.

• Driving to both points, with short walks, and several stops at pullouts along the way, can take 4 to 5 hours.
• Point Imperial is 11 miles/ 18km - 20 min. one way.
• Cape Royal is 23 miles/ 37km - 45 min. one way.

 

"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!