Summer is also the busiest time of year; lodging in the park is expensive and sells out quickly, and viewpoints along the rim can be jammed with crowds.The South Rim is open all year round, and you’ll find pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall). Book Grand Canyon hotels and tours. It also has plenty of hiking trails and activities like river rafting and mule rides. Grand Canyon Area Map There is only one way to cross the Colorado River by automobile, and that is 137 miles / 231 km from the South Rim Village (at Marble Canyon, AZ) via the Navajo Bridge, a few miles downstream from Lees Ferry, where the Canyon is only 400 feet/ 122 m wide. Activities like Grand Canyon mule rides, Grand Canyon air tours, Colorado River rafting trips, hiking, train tours, 4x4 safari-jeep tours or ranger-guided activities can make your Grand Canyon vacation more memorable. Numerous companies operate helicopter tours over the canyon, including As soon as you arrive, stop by the visitor center—especially if you have limited time. Not only does this protect the landscape, but it also protects you.

If you’re looking for classic Grand Canyon views, this is the place to go.Popular with hikers and photographers, the North Rim is the South Rim’s quieter, more heavily forested cousin. National Park vacation guide; see Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, Flagstaff, Sedona or Phoenix. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews.

In "More Than A View," Park Ranger Stephanie Sutton invites us to go beyond the rim and explore all that Grand Canyon National Park has to offer; diverse life zones, landforms, and cultural history.The South Rim’s South Entrance is now open 24 hours/day.

Leading Grand Canyon hotels, lodging and tours guide.

Whether you’re planning a Grand Canyon road trip from Las Vegas or are ending your southwest journey in Sin City, we’ve created the ultimate Las Vegas-Grand Canyon road trip itinerary. Soar over the eastern part of the canyon, admiring Zuni Point, the Desert View Watchtower, Point Imperial, the Painted Desert and the Kaibab National Forest. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. While the canyon is certainly a geologic wonder that truly must be seen to be appreciated, it is at its best when visitors take time to walk its trails, ride a mule, and understand its native peoples. Fortunately, this part of the park sees fewer visitors and isn’t usually crowded even during the summer high season. The North Rim is fully open to private vehicles.One fun alternative way to arrive at the South Rim is via the The most convenient Grand Canyon lodging options are within the national park or Grand Canyon West rather than in nearby towns, but these options tend to book up quickly—sometimes months in advance.

Bring a The South Rim is located at 7,000 feet above sea level, and the North Rim is at nearly 8,300 feet. All Rights Reserved. For answers to these questions and more, read the following tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.The South Rim is the most visited part of the Grand Canyon for a reason. (See Dreaming of rafting the Colorado River? While the views may be less spectacular, many travelers prefer the North Rim for its undisturbed wildlife and pristine trails.Note that because Grand Canyon West is located on Native American land, it requires a separate entry fee than the North and South Rims, which are administered by the National Park Service.When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, consider visiting the South Rim any time other than summer—especially if you’re hoping to hike all the way down to the bottom of the canyon, where temperatures can soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. Grand Canyon National Park. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com.

Layered bands of colorful rock reveal millions of years of geologic history. Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Desert View and the East Entrance remain closed because of COVID-19 lockdowns on the neighboring Navajo Nation. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. It has more viewpoints than the North Rim, with more expansive views of the canyon’s depth, as well as a wider range of lodging options and other visitor services. Park rangers can help design an itinerary to make the most of your visit, suggest hikes to suit your fitness level, and recommend the best viewpoints for sunrise and/or sunset.The desert heat can be deadly, so hikers should pack plenty of water as well as salty snacks. Hundreds of hikers are rescued each year from the canyon due to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or injury.Grand Canyon West offers just two hiking trails, one easy and one moderate, and neither one goes into the canyon.One intriguing Grand Canyon hike to consider is the 10-mile (each way) track to When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, don’t forget about other activities besides hiking, like riding a mule into the canyon.

Should you visit the North Rim or the South Rim? Numerous tourists have died after falling from the rim of the canyon.The most crowded viewpoints at the South Rim are those nearest the parking lots and bus stops. They’re more sure-footed than horses. Where’s the best place to stay? Before we jump into places to visit on the way to the Grand Canyon, you’ll need to decide what region(s) of the Grand Canyon you want to visit. Grand Canyon West is closed to private vehicles and operates a hop-on, hop-off shuttle around the park, while certain parts of the South Rim are only accessible by bus. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio.