2026 Update: River Trail and Silver Bridge are closed through June 30, 2026 (Transcanyon Waterline Replacement). Hikers must use South Kaibab Trail via Black Bridge to reach Phantom Ranch. Plateau Point Trail is also closed. Mule rides are cancelled through June 30, 2026. A non-resident surcharge of $100/person is in effect (January 2026).
Grand Canyon National Park Map
6 places to explore — click a pin to learn more
Grand Canyon National Park at a Glance
2 alertsThe South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the kind of place that makes you stop talking mid-sentence. (Explore our Grand Canyon facts.) We’ve been here more times than we can count and it still hits us every single visit. There is a reason 6 million people come here every year.
I first visited as a 19-year-old and foolishly backpacked to the bottom with zero preparation. Made it back alive, kept coming back, and now we’ve explored every corner of the South Rim. Here are the best things to do, organized by area so you can plan your days without backtracking.
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. The $35 entrance fee is good for 7 days. A non-resident surcharge of $100/person is also in effect (January 2026). The South Rim is open year-round. Most services and viewpoints are clustered in Grand Canyon Village and along two scenic drives (Hermit Road and Desert View Drive).
Related Grand Canyon Guides: See our complete guide to all things to do in the Grand Canyon or check out our things to do at the North Rim.
Things to Know Before Visiting the South Rim
- Here’s our favorite guidebook and map for the Grand Canyon.
- Lather up the sunscreen. The elevation (7,000 feet at the rim) means stronger UV than you expect.
- Do NOT attempt to hike to the river and back in one day. The park service begs folks not to do this. People die here every year from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and cardiac events on the climb back out.
- Best time to visit: March through May and September through November. Summer is brutally hot below the rim and the South Rim itself is packed. Winter is surprisingly pleasant at the rim and far less crowded.
- Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles March through November. Use the free shuttle.
- Book lodging and Phantom Ranch months in advance. Phantom Ranch (at the bottom of the canyon) fills through a monthly lottery. Apply between the 1st and 25th of each month, 14 months in advance.
Gas, Food, Shuttle, and Parking
Tusayan is the gateway town 7 miles south of the park entrance. Gas, restaurants, hotels, and a grocery store.
Grand Canyon Village has multiple dining options including El Tovar (upscale, reservations required), Bright Angel Lodge (casual), and Maswik Lodge (cafeteria). There is also a general store for basic supplies.
Gas inside the park: One gas station at Desert View, open seasonally. Fill up in Tusayan or Williams before entering.
Free shuttle system: Four shuttle routes run throughout the South Rim. The Hermit Road (Red) route is the most important since Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles most of the year. The Village (Blue) route connects lodges, campgrounds, and visitor centers. The Kaibab/Rim (Orange) route connects the visitor center to South Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point.
Parking: The main lots near Mather Point and the Visitor Center fill by mid-morning. The lot at Market Plaza tends to have spaces longer. Use the shuttle to get around once you’ve parked.
Cell service: Decent in Grand Canyon Village. Spotty to nonexistent along Desert View Drive and below the rim.
Sunrise at Mather Point. Hike the Rim Trail west to Bright Angel Lodge. Take the shuttle along Hermit Road with stops at Hopi Point and Hermits Rest. In the afternoon, drive Desert View Drive to the Watchtower. Sunset from Yavapai Point or Hopi Point. That covers the South Rim’s best without going below the rim.
One Day at the South Rim
Two Days at the South Rim
Day 1: Same as above. Day 2: Hike the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (3 mi RT) or Cedar Ridge (6 mi RT) for the best below-the-rim experience without committing to a canyon-bottom trip. Walk the Trail of Time along the rim. Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum.
Three or More Days
Days 1-2 same as above. Day 3: Hike the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden (9.2 mi RT). If you’ve secured overnight permits, hike to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon and camp at Bright Angel Campground along the Colorado River. This is the bucket-list Grand Canyon experience. (See our full list of the best hikes in the Grand Canyon.)
Visiting the South Rim? Here’s our favorite hotel.
Rim Trail Area (Grand Canyon Village)
The Rim Trail runs 13 miles along the edge of the canyon from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest. Most of it is paved and flat. You do not need to walk the whole thing. Pick a section and enjoy the views. This is where most of the classic South Rim experiences happen.
1. Mather Point
Distance Short walk from visitor center Time 30 min Difficulty Easy
The first view of the Grand Canyon for most folks and an absolute must. Mather Point is the quintessential American viewpoint. It can feel crowded at peak times, but the view is worth enduring elbows. Sunrise and sunset are both excellent from here. For a calmer experience, walk a few hundred yards down the Rim Trail in either direction.
2. Walk the Trail of Time
Distance 2.83 mi one way Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy
A paved trail along the rim between Yavapai Point and Verkamp’s Visitor Center. Every meter represents one million years of geologic history. Rock samples embedded in the trail let you touch rocks that are nearly 2 billion years old. One of the most creative interpretive trails in any national park.
3. Yavapai Geology Museum
Distance Short walk from Mather Point Time 30 min-1 hr Difficulty Easy
Perched on the rim with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the canyon. The exhibits explain how the Grand Canyon formed and identify the rock layers you can see. Free admission. One of the best museum-with-a-view experiences in the park system.
4. Hermit Road (West Rim Drive)
Distance 7 mi one way Time 2-3 hrs by shuttle Difficulty Easy (shuttle or bike)
Closed to private vehicles March through November (use the free Red shuttle). Nine overlooks along the way, each with a different perspective on the canyon. Hopi Point is the best for sunset. Hermits Rest at the end was designed by Mary Colter and has a snack bar and restrooms. You can also bike this road.
5. Guided Ranger Tour
Distance Varies Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy
Free ranger-led programs run daily and cover geology, history, and wildlife. Check the park newspaper for the current schedule. These are consistently excellent and one of the best free things to do in any national park.
Below the Rim
Going below the rim is where the Grand Canyon transforms from a scenic overlook into a genuine wilderness experience. The temperature rises roughly 20 degrees for every 1,000 feet of descent. Bring more water than you think you need.
6. Hike to Ooh Aah Point (South Kaibab Trail)
Distance 1.8 mi RT Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Moderate
The best short below-the-rim hike on the South Rim. The South Kaibab Trail drops along an exposed ridge with 360-degree canyon views the entire way. Ooh Aah Point is the first major viewpoint and lives up to its name. No water along this trail. Bring your own.
Trailhead: South Kaibab Trailhead (shuttle access only via Orange route)
Tip: For a bigger day, continue to Cedar Ridge (3 mi RT from trailhead). That is the turnaround point the park service recommends for day hikers.
7. Bright Angel Trail
Distance 9.2 mi RT to Indian Garden Time 6-9 hrs Difficulty Hard
The most famous trail in the Grand Canyon. Unlike South Kaibab, Bright Angel has water stations (seasonal) and shade along the way. The 1.5-Mile and 3-Mile Resthouses are good turnaround points for shorter hikes. Indian Garden (4.6 miles down) is where the cottonwood trees and water make it feel like an oasis. Do not attempt the full round trip to the river in a single day.
Trailhead: Bright Angel Lodge (walkable from Grand Canyon Village)
8. Camp at the Bottom of the Canyon
Distance 14-19 mi RT depending on route Time 2 days minimum Difficulty Very Hard
The ultimate Grand Canyon experience. Hike down the South Kaibab, spend the night at Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch along the Colorado River, and hike out the Bright Angel Trail the next day. Phantom Ranch has cabins and meals but fills through a monthly lottery (apply between the 1st and 25th, 14 months in advance). Bright Angel Campground requires a backcountry permit. Both are worth the effort.
9. Mule Ride into the Canyon
Distance Varies Time Half day or overnight Difficulty Easy (you’re riding)
For folks who want to go below the rim without hiking, mule rides have been running into the canyon since the late 1800s. Note that mule rides are cancelled through June 30, 2026 due to the Transcanyon Waterline Replacement project. Day rides go partway down the Bright Angel Trail. Overnight trips go all the way to Phantom Ranch. Book well in advance.
Desert View Area (East Rim)
Desert View Drive runs 25 miles east from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View Point. This scenic road has multiple overlooks, each with a different angle on the canyon. Less crowded than the Village area.
10. Sunset from Desert View
Distance Short walk from parking Time 30 min-1 hr Difficulty Easy
Maybe this one is a bit sentimental, but we think there is no better way to cap a day at the South Rim than soaking in sunset from Desert View. You can see all the way down to the Colorado River. During sunset the canyon lights up with vivid hues of red and purple that seem to last forever. ADA accessible. Show up 30 minutes before sunset for the best spot.
11. Desert View Watchtower
Distance Short walk from parking Time 30 min Difficulty Easy
A 70-foot stone tower designed by Mary Colter in 1932, modeled after ancestral Puebloan towers. The interior features a mural by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. Climb to the top for some of the highest and widest views of the canyon. Located at the east end of Desert View Drive.
12. Desert View Drive
Distance 25 mi one way Time 2-3 hrs with stops Difficulty Easy (driving)
Open to private vehicles year-round. Stops include Grandview Point (one of the best overlooks in the park), Tusayan Ruin (a 12th-century Puebloan site), and Lipan Point. Less crowded than Hermit Road and offers different perspectives on the canyon. The Colorado River is visible from several overlooks along this road.
13. Helicopter Flight
Distance N/A Time 25-50 min Difficulty Easy
Helicopter tours depart from Tusayan and fly over the canyon. It is not cheap but the aerial perspective on the canyon is unlike anything you can get from the rim or the trails. Multiple operators offer flights ranging from 25 to 50 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hike to the bottom and back in one day?
The park service strongly advises against it and we agree. The hike down is deceptively easy. The hike out in the heat is where people get into serious trouble. If you want to go to the river, plan an overnight trip.
Which trail is better, Bright Angel or South Kaibab?
South Kaibab has better views (ridge walking with 360-degree panoramas). Bright Angel has water and shade. The ideal combo for an overnight trip is down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel.
Is the South Rim or North Rim better?
The South Rim has more services, more viewpoints, and is open year-round. The North Rim is 1,000 feet higher, cooler, less crowded, and open mid-May through mid-October. Both are excellent. If it is your first visit, start with the South Rim.
