Visit Grand Canyon National Park

Visit Grand Canyon National Park and experience one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world!

A tour is the best choice for experiencing the spectacular views of the Grand Canyon National Park.

When planning your trip, keep in mind there are four areas to visit.

Visit Grand Canyon - Planning Your Trip

Grand Canyon South Rim

The South Rim is open year-round and ideal for first time visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park; especially if you are traveling with children.

The busiest time of year is during the summer months.

If you want to avoid crowds, visit Grand Canyon National Park during the winter months (November through February).

Lodging at the Grand Canyon Village is booked well in advance, especially during the summer months. Be sure to make reservations as far ahead as possible.

Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim is open seasonally from May 15th to October 15th.

The Grand Canyon Lodge provides the only lodging inside the National Park on the North Rim.

Lodging is booked well in advance, so make reservations as far ahead as possible.

Mule Rides are available to Supai Tunnel and to Uncle Jimmy Owens point. North Kaibab Trail is a popular spot for self-guided hiking.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can ride an ATV or take a Polaris Ranger tour.

Grand Canyon East

The Grand Canyon East, is also known as “Desert View”, is a part of the South Rim.

There is a separate entrance and visitor area that contains a campground, picnic area, restrooms, parking lot, restaurant, gas station, Trading Post, Market Place, and Visitor Center.

The Desert View East Rim is ideal if you are limited on time or if you want to avoid the crowds typical at the Grand Canyon Village.

Grand Canyon West

The Grand Canyon West is a popular destination for tours from Las Vegas.

The West Rim is much closer (118 miles from Las Vegas) versus the South Rim (approximately 350 miles).

The premier attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, located at Eagle Point.

In the shape of a horseshoe, the Skywalk is a glass bridge that extends 70 feet into wide open space from the edge of the canyon.

While visiting Eagle Point be sure to visit Native American Village and tour authentic Native American dwellings.

Other must see attractions include Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch.

Visit the Grand Canyon in Four Hours or Less

Grand Canyon Tours

Tour prices range from $100 for a bus trip to a little over $500 for a tour that spans a few days or includes a boat trip, helicopter ride, and a Skywalk visit. Explore the Grand Canyon Tours available below:

Boat Tours
Bus Tours
Multi Day Tours
Train Tours

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Las Vegas Tours

Visiting Grand Canyon

South Rim Things to Do

Attend a Free Ranger Program - Learn more about the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon with a park ranger as your guide.

Stop by the Visitor Center or a Museum - The South Rim offers a variety of museums and information centers that house exhibits and provide park information.

Watch the Park Orientation Film Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder – The film is shown at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, is 20 minutes long, and starts on the hour and half hour.

Walk or hike the Rim Trail – Start from any viewpoint in the village or along the Hermit Road and greenway. You can also backpack overnight below the rim (a permit is required).

South Rim Mule Trips (offered year round) – Three hour trips travel along the canyon rim. Overnight rides go to the bottom of the canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch.

Walk the Trail of Time – The path contains information about the canyon’s geologic history and samples from each layer of the canyon.

Ride a Bicycle – Bicycle rentals are available, as well as guided bicycle tours March 15 – October 31. Other dates are available pending weather.

Tour the Scenic Hermit Road – Free shuttle bus service runs March 1 – November 30. Commercial bus tours are also available, or you can travel by foot or bicycle.

At Desert View Point, Climb the Historic Watchtower – The Watchtower is a replica of the prehistoric towers found on the Colorado Plateau. Enjoy a panoramic view that extends for more than 100 miles on a clear day.

Visit Tusayan Ruin - The remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village is 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.

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 may be arranged by any Lodge in the park (transportation from park lodges to the Dam is included).

North Rim Things to Do

Visit the North Rim Visitor Center - 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.

Attend a Free Interpretive Ranger Program - Learn more about the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon with a park ranger as your guide. Offered daily throughout the season; between May 15th and October 15.

Take a Day Hike - Experience the wild and remote feeling of the North Rim. Appreciate solitude hiking the trails, and enjoy an awe-inspiring view. Watch mule deer and turkeys feeding in mountain meadows.

North Rim Mule Trips (offered May 15 through October 15) - One-hour rides along the rim and half-day rim or inner canyon trips are usually available on a daily basis. Register in the lobby of the Grand Canyon Lodge (on the North Rim) at the Canyon Trail Rides Desk, open 7am-5pm daily.

Tour the North Rim Scenic Drive - During the season, Point Imperial and Cape Royal are reached via a winding scenic drive.