To truly understand The Grand Canyon in Arizona, you must fully immerse all the senses.
Like the rocks and minerals that make up The Canyon itself, experiences here come in layers.
You can stand at the top of The Canyon, gaze down in a god-like fashion, dip below the rim, and assimilate into its colorful walls; You can watch the sun change the color of the limestone walls to match its mood every hour or get humbled by the milky way sitting above The Canyon at night.
Here is your guide to The Grand Canyon in Arizona:
Don’t forget to pack these
- Sunscreen that won’t clog your pores when you sweat.
- Binoculars for spotting wildlife and faraway views.
- Reusable Water Bottle that is BPA-free, leakproof, and rolls up small enough to fit in your pocket when empty.
- Hydration Packets.
- Multiple pairs of UV sunglasses.
- Basesus Portable Charger.
- Roadside Safety Kit if you know you’ll be driving in areas with no service.
- A guidebook with intimate details about the Canyon’s history, geologically, archaeology, wildlife, and more.
For blister prevention, first aid, and more, read the full guide on What to Pack for Hiking.
Where is The Grand Canyon located?
The Grand Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, close to the Utah and Nevada borders.
Sky Harbour in Phoenix has consistently cheap flights just a 4 hours drive away. Flagstaff is the closest city to fly into, about 1.5 hour’s drive from the GC, and where you’ll find reasonable rates during the off-season.
What is the best part of The Grand Canyon to visit?
The famous South Rim is where most services are, as well as the stereotypical Grand Canyon aesthetic.
The South Rim is open year-round, while the North Rim closes in the colder months.
Absolutely see the North Rim if you’re there for 5 or more days (and weather permits), but the South Rim is the best part of The Grand Canyon if you’re on a larger Arizona road trip and pressed for time.
Hiking
Besides beautiful viewpoints, hiking is the most popular activity at The Grand Canyon. Here’s where to hike on the North and South Rim:
The best hikes on the South Rim
Easy Hikes
- Bright Angel Trail is the most popular in the park and is well stocked with everything from dramatic views, shade, water, and bathrooms every few miles. You can hike as far down as you’d like, so while Bright Angel is listed in the ‘easy hikes’ section, you can easily customize it to ‘difficult.”
- Another customizable hike is the 13-mile Rim Trail that lines the Canyon.
- Ooh Aah Point, via South Kaibab, is one of the most visited lookouts in the entire park, and it’s pretty obvious why. The South Kaibab trail is 7 miles, and Ooh Aah Point is about a mile in.
Moderate Hikes
- South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point will also take you past Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge. Skeleton Point is a mix of views from surrounding cliffs, pinnacles, and buttes.
- The Grandview trail is rugged, steep, and unmaintained at just over 2 miles round trip. I like this trail because of the sections of cobblestone built in 1893 by the miners that worked the Canyon.
Difficult Hikes
- Dripping Springs via Hermit Trail is 6 miles, starting with razor-sharp switchbacks and then levels out a bit before reaching the (blissfully shaded) springs at the top.
The best hikes on the North Rim
Easy Hikes
- Bright Angel Point trail is an easy mile round trip and leads to stunning views of The Canyon and powerful streams below.
- Cape Royal trail is a mile long and oriented westward, ideal for sunset.
Moderate Hikes
- Transept Trail winds around the rim for 3 miles, with a very forest-y view of the Canyon.
- Point Imperial is 4 miles and leads to the highest viewpoint on the North Rim, a true stunner at sunrise.
Difficult Hikes
- The Uncle Jim Trail is truly a trip: 5 miles of switchbacks through the Kaibab Forest with sweeping views of the Canyon below.
- At 10 miles long, the Ken Patrick Trail follows the forest and along the rim with stunning views of the Colorado River cutting through the Canyon below.
Camping
Camping in Arizona’s Grand Canyon is magic- imagine the milky way spilled across the clear, vast desert sky.
Camping Options: 3 campsites are open year-round, but the North Rim Campground closes with the rest of the rim for the winter.
RV Options: Trailer Village has full RV hookups in a beautiful little slice of the South Rim.
Pro Tip:
If you want to take night sky pictures that nobody will believe were taken on your phone, don’t forget your tripod.
The Best Viewpoints
The most famous viewpoint at The Grand Canyon National Park is Mathers Point, mainly because it’s a 2-minute walk from the Visitor Center.
The Best Views on The South Rim
- Hopi Point’s sweeping vistas, view of the Colorado River, and western orientation make it one of the best places to watch the sunset at The Grand Canyon.
- Powell Point is Eastern-facing, making for the most magical sunrises in The Grand Canyon.
- Mohave Point has similar views as Hopi but is sometimes less busy.
The Best Views on The North Rim
- Watching the sunrise at Redwall Bridge will change your life. Just imagine watching the Canyon fill up with golden sunlight for the day.
- Angel’s Window frames the Colorado River in a ‘window.’
Where to Stay
Most people are surprised to discover that deciding where to stay when visiting The Grand Canyon can actually require some research due to all the options!
If proximity to the park is your biggest concern, you can book a lodge directly in the canyon.
However, if you want chain shopping, diverse dining options, or anything else big cities offer, you’d be better off in Fredonia or Flagstaff.
Where to Stay
Lodges in Grand Canyon National Park will have incredible views, but book out far in advance and can get pricey, especially in the summer months.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is 1.5 hours from the South Entrance Visitor Center. Expect cute, college’y with metaphysical shops, murals, and a walkable, historic old town.
Also, the best Goodwill I’ve ever been to, like, in my entire life, is in Flagstaff.
Flagstaff Hotels
- Budget: Country Inn
- Luxury: Bespoke Inn
Page
Page is 3.5 hours from the South Rim. If that seems like a bit of a far drive, that’s because most people who stay in Page ride the historic train.
The town of Page is a treat- dramatic canyons, bold red rock formations, and close to Lake Powell.
Page Hotels
- Budget: Best Western View of Lake Powell
- Luxury: The Marriott or, for absolute gold star, resort service tucked away in the mountains, Amangiri.
Near the South Rim
Try the Yavapai Lodge or a hotel in the town of Tusayan, only 15 minutes from the park entrance.
Near the North Rim
Fredonia, Arizona (1 hour, 20 minutes from North Rim):
- Budget: Grand Canyon Motel
- Luxury: Big Springs Cabins
Kanab, Utah (1.5 hours from North Rim):
- Budget: Hampton Inn Kanab
- Luxury: Savage Point Bed & Breakfast
How to use the free shuttles
Did you ever imagine you could tour The Grand Canyon and not hike?
Wellllll, you can… mostly, though I don’t suggest it.
There are free shuttles from the Visitor Center that will take you to the most famous viewpoints in the canyon. The viewpoints are linked via a trail, meaning that you could hike to them instead of shuttling, but these hikes would be long, mostly without shade, and only for the experienced.
How to know where a shuttle is headed
The vehicle flashes its destinations on electric signs located at the front, so there is no guesswork.
When you’re ready to go to the next overlook
Simply wait in the pickup spots (where you got dropped off) for a new shuttle to arrive every 5-30 minutes.
1 Day Itinerary
Enter from: South Entrance Station
Where to Park: In the Visitor Center, lots fill up quick, get there before 9 AM for the prime parking spots.
1. Mather’s Point
The most popular overlook on the south rim is only a 2-minute walk from the visitor center. Bring a tripod to get the best shots from this area.
2. Hermit’s Rest
I suggest riding the shuttles all the way to Hermit’s Rest, a gift shop at the end, and stopping at the overlooks in between.
Hermit’s Rest is the last stop at the south rim and can only be accessed by shuttle or the rim trail.
My favorite stops on this route are:
- Maricopa Point
- Powell Point
- Hopi Point
3. Hike to Ooh-Aah Point via the South Kaibab trail
4. Desert View Drive or Shoshone Point
Desert View Drive
If you have time and energy after a full day, consider the scenic 23-mile Desert View Drive that begins near Grand Canyon Village.
Desert View Drive has canyon overlooks, picnic spots, and hidden pullouts with undocumented views.
Alternative: Shoshone Point. Even if you’re tired, this flat, easy, 2-mile hike leads to the perfect sunset overlook. Shoshone Point is outside of the national park, so you’re likely to have the spot for yourself.
2 Day Itinerary
Use the morning for a longer hike (or rent a bike) on the Rim or Bright Angel trail. Consider the slightly less frequented South Kaibab Trail if you’re visiting during peak season.
Take it easy by checking out air conditioning and exhibits at the Yavapai Geology Museum in the afternoon.
From there, walk the Trail of Time, a flat, 2-mile exhibit with signage explaining the formation of The Canyon.
Top off the day with an unforgettable sunset at Hopi or Yaki Point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive around The Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon is the size of Rhode Island. Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and The Lodge on the North Rim are only ten miles apart.
However, to drive between them through the park’s twists and turns and over the Colorado River takes about 5 hours.
What is the best month to go to The Grand Canyon?
April and June are the best months to see The Canyon when crowds are low(er), and temperatures are moderate. In the summer months, Grand Canyon National Park is as packed as a 90’s rave.
What is the river that runs through The Grand Canyon?
That would be the Colorado River. This river is an American icon, running from California to Colorado, and is partially responsible for shaping Arizona and The Grand Canyon.
How can I save money at The Grand Canyon?
As with any other destination, book early to get the best prices on accommodation and the cheapest flights.
Here’s how to save money at the Grand Canyon:
- Look for other flights. Flagstaff is the closest airport, but the Phoenix and Las Vegas airports are cheaper.
- Use your National Parks pass.
- Hike instead of doing a guided tour.
- Consider Camping.
- Bring a reusable water bottle (I like this one that I can roll up and put in my pocket) and plenty of snacks, everything at the GC is expensive and comes with a wait time.
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