There are few places in the world that match the sheer grandeur of Grand Canyon National Park. Experience this unforgettable destination to its fullest with this list of the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park!
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What to Know Before You Go
Location: Grand Canyon National Park (South and North Rims), Arizona
Hours: open 24 hours a day daily (North Rim closed mid October – mid May)
Entrance Fees: $35 per vehicle
Pet Policy: pets are NOT allowed
Distance Between Rims: approximately 4 hours driving
Closest Town(s) to South Rim: Tusayan, Williams, and Flagstaff, AZ
Closest Town(s) to North Rim: Jacob Lake and Page, AZ and Kanab, UT
Closest Airport(s) to Grand Canyon National Park: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park
The answer to this common question is two-sided, because there are two rims you can visit at Grand Canyon National Park, the North Rim and the South Rim.
The North Rim and the South Rim are separated by a 4 hour drive. Being further north and higher in elevation, the North Rim receives more snow than the South Rim, therefore affecting the best time to visit this particular region of Grand Canyon National Park.
Best Time to Visit the North Rim:
The best time to visit the North Rim is summer. Trails, park roads, lodges, and facilities are open and operating in full. Temperatures are moderate and welcoming. Arguably the best reason to visit the North Rim in the summer is there are far fewer visitors to the North Rim than the South Rim.
Note that the North Rim roads are closed from mid October – mid May, so while it is still possible to visit during shoulder seasons, your options are early fall and late spring.
Best Time to Visit the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park:
The South Rim is open daily, meaning you can experience all the best highlights of the South Rim year round, but there are still a few things to consider when choosing your season to visit.
Summer months are the busiest time of year at the South Rim. Park roads, trails, visitor centers, lodges, and other facilities are all open, which is great for accessibility, but it does equate to busier trails, more crowded buildings, and harder to snag parking spots.
When it comes to hiking at the South Rim in summer, it is important to keep in mind that temperatures at the top of the South Rim can be drastically different from temperatures within the canyon, for those interested in popular inner canyon trails. Temperatures within the Grand Canyon in summer can easily soar into the triple digits. However, there are also several fantastic rim trails to enjoy with more moderate daytime temperatures, especially if you plan to start earlier in the day.
The shoulder seasons of fall and spring are also great times to visit the South Rim, though temperatures can be a bit chillier during the morning and evening hours. The major advantage to visiting the South Rim during fall and spring is avoiding the majority of the summer crowds.
It is possible to hike both rim and inner canyon trails on the South Rim in winter, but it is important to consider the environmental elements before committing. This desert environment sees a surprising amount of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures during the winter, which are not ideal conditions for hiking steep trails or trails along high canyon walls.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to do at the South Rim during the winter, if the hiking conditions are not ideal, as all of the Visitor Centers, park buildings, and other facilities remain open during the winter.
Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
- Check the Forecast – Grand Canyon sees it all: brutally hot temperatures, flash floods, ice, sleet, snow, thunderstorms, even tornadoes!
- Leave Pets at Home – pets are not allowed!
- Always Stay on Designated Trails
- Bring Plenty of Water
- Supervise Children at All Times
- Plan Accommodations in Advance
- Bring All Necessary Hiking Gear for Trails
- Use Protection from the Sun
- Have a Pre-planned Itinerary
- Don’t Swim in the Colorado River!
Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
- Hiking Trails
One of the best ways to get to know Grand Canyon National Park is by hiking its many exhilarating and stunning trails. These trails vary in length and degree of difficulty, as well as the type of hike. There are rim hikes that overlook the Grand Canyon gorge, shady, canopied hikes through the thick Kaibab National Forest, and inner canyon hikes that will test your endurance while allowing you to witness an undiscovered side of the park.
Below are the 6 best hikes in Grand Canyon National Park:
1. The Bright Angel Trail
Length: 19 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Very Difficult
Elevation Gain: 4,478 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 10 – 12 hours
While the Bright Angel Trail is arguably the toughest hike on the South Rim, it is also a park favorite for several reasons. It is easily accessible, practical, and centrally located in the heart of Grand Canyon Village close to parking, facilities, shuttle stops, lodges, restaurants, and other amenities. It is well maintained, easy to follow, and has bathrooms and water refill stations. But most importantly, it is an icon because it is thrilling!
The Bright Angel Trail has the unique ability to suit the needs of various visitors. A Rim to River hike is perfect for those looking for an all day challenge hiking to the bottom of the canyon at the Colorado River and back up again!
For those looking for a smaller taste of the inner canyon, you can hike to several great “turnaround” spots with great views, like the 1.5 or 3 Mile Resthouses.
For the overnight campers, there’s the lush inner canyon oasis at Havasupai Gardens Campground, midway down the Bright Angel Trail, or the Bright Angel Campground, located within sight of the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon!
2. The South Kaibab Trail
Length: 14 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 4,872 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 10 – 12 hours
The South Kaibab Trail is similar in many ways to its South Rim sibling, the Bright Angel Trail. You can hike the South Kaibab Trail all the way to the bottom of the canyon. It contains some of the best views in the park. And you can customize it for shorter hikes by turning around at various scenic landmarks along the trail, like Ooh Aah Point or Cedar Ridge.
While the South Kaibab Trail is shorter than the Bright Angel Trail it is generally less crowded, mostly because it is not as centrally located or easily accessible. The trailhead is reachable only by the free park shuttle or taxis. One other important difference to note is there is no water on the South Kaibab Trail. That being said, many visitors would agree that the South Kaibab Trail possesses slightly more impressive views than the Bright Angel Trail.
3. The Rim Trail
Length: 12.7 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 583 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 5 – 6 hours
For those that want to enjoy stellar views without the climb out, the Rim Trail delivers! This trail is the heart of rim hiking on the South Rim. It is almost 13 miles long and parallels much of the South Rim, but also provides easy access to everything that is located on the South Rim.
From the trail, you can reach everything between Hermits Rest on the west end, to the South Kaibab Trail on the east end. In between there are uninterrupted views, plenty of park buildings and facilities, and multiple overlooks like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Hopi Point. The Rim Trail is perfect for various ages and abilities, as it is flat, well maintained, and easy to follow. You can choose just how much of it you want to hike, or hop on and off the free park shuttle that stops at multiple places along the Rim Trail.
4. The North Kaibab Trail
Length: 27.4 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 6,620 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: Recommended overnight
The North Kaibab Trail is one of the most beloved hiking trails on the North Rim. As the “Kaibab” in the name implies, it is also the North Rim counterpart to the South Rim’s South Kaibab Trail. The North Kaibab Trail actually connects to both the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, which is why these 3 trails together are known as corridor trails. If you are looking for a trail that captures all the beauty and ruggedness of the North Rim, the North Kaibab Trail is it.
The North Kaibab Trail is among the toughest trails in the entire park, and hiking its entirety should be reserved only for the most prepared hikers, though it is possible to shorten the hike by turning around at scenic points like Coconino Overlook or Supai Tunnel.
If you brave the entire North Kaibab Trail, be ready to experience a completely different world of surprises, including brilliant red canyon walls, vibrant yellow aspens, “subway” tunnels, waterfalls, and a network of streams that criss-cross the bottom of the Grand Canyon, before arriving at the Colorado River, Phantom Ranch, and the Bright Angel Campground.
Due to its staggering roundtrip distance, it is highly recommended that hikers enjoy the North Kaibab Trail either as an overnight backpacking trip, utilizing either the Cottonwood or Bright Angel Campgrounds along the trail, or by using it to connect to the Bright Angel Trail to complete an epic Rim to Rim hike from North to South!
A Rim to Rim hike from one rim to the other is regarded as one of the hardest long distance hikes in the whole country, but the payoff and sense of accomplishment is also one of the greatest in the hiking world. Attempting a Rim to Rim hike should only be undertaken after acquiring the right gear and following a proper Rim to Rim training plan in advance.
5. The Widforss Trail
Length: 9.3 miles roundtrip out and back
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,082 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 3.5 – 5 hours
The Widforss Trail is special in that it provides both dense forest feels as well as canyon rim views of the North Rim. Enjoy glimpses of canyon panoramas peeking through the dappled canopy of ponderosa pines.
The other endearing characteristic of the Widforss Trail is its great halfway destination, or turn around spot, Widforss Point. This dramatic parting of the thick forest lends to a breathtaking plateau with unobstructed views of the entire North Rim!
6. The Cape Royal Trail
Length: 1 mile roundtrip out and back
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 65 feet
Estimated Time to Complete: 20 – 30 minutes
The Cape Royal Trail is a great option for varying ages and abilities, with its short distance, low elevation gain, easy rating, and paved trail. With all these features, the Cape Royal Trail doesn’t compromise on the views you come to expect from the Grand Canyon. This trail is unique as it can best be described as a canyon “peninsula”, jutting out into the canyon and surrounded by sweeping views.
- Scenic Overlooks
Clearly there are many great trails of all distances in the park, but rest assured there are also an equal amount of great overlooks that provide a shorter, easier, and quicker alternative, without sacrificing on the views or experience.
The best scenic overlooks on the South Rim include Mather Point, Hopi Point, Yaki Point, and Yavapai Point. The best overlooks on the North Rim include Point Imperial, Cape Royal, and Bright Angel Point.
- Visitor Centers
The park’s Visitor Centers are great ways to learn more about the region, history of the park, and geology of the Grand Canyon. There are Visitor Centers at both the North and South Rims, where you can enjoy educational exhibits, talk with park rangers, do some shopping, and or even get your children involved with the Junior Ranger program.
- Camping
For those looking to experience a night under one of the biggest and grandest skies in the Southwest, there are multiple campgrounds located throughout Grand Canyon National Park, at both the North and South Rims, and within the inner canyon itself.
- National Park Lodges
There are several historic park lodges located at both the North and South Rims, perfect for an overnight stay, a meal, or even just a quick visit to appreciate the architecture. While there are both similarities and differences to lodging at either rim, the best summary is that accommodations at the North Rim tend to feel more secluded and rustic, while accommodations at the South Rim are more touristy, while placing you in the heart of the activity near facilities, amenities, and trails.
- Grand Canyon Skywalk
Located in the area of Grand Canyon West, this adrenaline packed experience allows visitors to suspend themselves 70 feet over the rim of the Grand Canyon in an entirely glass bridge!
- Grand Canyon Railway
The historic Grand Canyon Railway runs from the nearby mountain town of Williams and includes plenty of majestic views of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The train ride itself lasts a couple hours, which is the perfect amount of time to sit back, relax, and soak up the views.
- Colorado River Rafting
The Colorado River is one of the strongest forces at play in the Grand Canyon, and is a perfect adventure for the daredevil visitor! There are multiple rafting tour guides and operators that provide this unforgettable experience.
- Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
One final way to experience the thrilling side of Grand Canyon National Park is by taking a once in a lifetime helicopter tour over the park. There are multiple tour guides and operators available, with departures from the South Rim, Las Vegas, and the nearby Grand Canyon Airport.
Author Bio:
Kristen Czudak is the author and adventurer behind Yonderlust Ramblings. If you are looking for a different kind of vacation, active travel is the answer! Discover just how far your own two feet can take you!
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