Grand Canyon's top things to do

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great way to gain a first impression of the canyon before deciding on a good day hike.

Description:

The Rim Trail on the South Rim is one of the most popular things to do for visitors just arriving at Grand Canyon National Park. It's easy to see why: this path is easy on the soles and represents a great introduction to the panoramic wonders of the park. The path follows the South Rim westward from Yavapai to Hermits Rest, and is paved and fairly level for the first few miles, making this one of the park's best wheelchair accessible trails. The canyon will unfold as you move west, and once you manage to pry your eyes away from the canyon below, you'll notice you are surrounded by ponderosa and pinyon pines, shrub oaks, and chipmunks and squirrels playing in the woodland. To get here, leave your car at the visitor center and take the free shuttle to Yavapai Point. You can return to the visitor center from several points along the trail, making it easy to customize your schedule from here.

Our Local Expert Says:

Tusayan Ruins are a great example of early architecture in the area. Located three miles west of Desert View on the South Rim.

Description:

Step back in time in the ruins of a small Anasazi village, dating back to the late 1100s. The Tusayan Ruins give visitors a brief history on the lifestyles of some of the early settlers. Historians speculate that this settlement numbered about 30 people and was in occupation for only a quarter of a century. Although there is an abundance of nearby Anasazi sites, the Tusayan site is the only one with easy access. Paved walking paths wind through the pueblo excavation and there is a small museum. Estimated walking time is 30 minutes. Admission is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

Enter the Hualapai reservation and peer into the Grand Canyon on a glass bottom bridge, the mighty Colorado River thrashes over 4,000 feet below.

Description:

Literally "walk the sky" at this glass bridge (which is more like a glass peninsula) that dangles over the edge of the canyon like a giant, clear diving board. Experience the canyon like a soaring eagle: 4,000 feet above the Colorado River, the Skywalk opened in 2007 and is owned and operated by the Hualapaii Tribe. The fee is $30 per person and no personal belongings, including cameras, are allowed on the bridge. This is to prevent items from falling into the canyon or onto the glass. From the South Rim, head south on AZ-64 for 56 miles. Then go west on I-40 to Kingman for 116 miles. Then head north on Stockton Hill Road for 42 miles and turn right (North) on to Pierce Ferry Road. After 7 miles, turn right (east) onto Diamond Bar Road. After 21 miles, the signs will be obvious. South on US-93 toward Phoenix 32 miles Go over Hoover Dam and continue South on US-93 40 miles Left turn (North) on to Pierce Ferry Road 28 miles Right turn (East) on to Diamond Bar Road 21 miles **Diamond Bar Road will end at the only entrance to Grand Canyon West, which is the Grand Canyon West Airport.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Desert View Watchtower is must-see for its spectacular views, easy accessibility, and rich artistic qualities.

Description:

This easily accessible landmark was constructed in 1932 as replica of a prehistoric Indian tower. Each stone was handpicked, ensuring a solid structure as well as an aesthetically appealing design. This seventy-foot tower is the highest point on the South Rim and offers visitors a magnificent view of the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, and the to the south, the mighty San Francisco Peaks. This place is very popular in the summer, but nearly vacant during colder months. The interior walls of the tower feature murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. The Desert View Watchtower can be found on the easternmost end of the South Rim.

Our Local Expert Says:

This tropical paradise in the heart of the Grand Canyon is a strenuous day hike in. And reservations must be made months in advance. This is easily the most beautiful spot in the Grand Canyon.

Description:

Hike down to the famed blue green waterfalls, home of the Havasupai people who have called the Grand Canyon home for the last 800 years. Or take a mule, or take a helicopter! Camp or stay at the lodge located in the village of Supai. After a beautiful but strenuous 8 mile hike to the Village of Supai from Hualapai Hilltop, visitors can validate their reservations for the campgrounds, and from there it is a beautiful 2-mile hike next to the water. Passing Navajo Falls, a series of rippling waterfalls that feed a wide stretch of canyon, the campgrounds are nestled at the bottom, right after passing the wide-mouthed Havasu Falls. After a long day of hiking, it may seem temping to pitch a tent at the first empty campsite you see, however, there are some great places further down the trail that are even better! Another mile or two down the trail will lead you to the top of the majestic Mooney Falls, which drop 210 feet to the bottom. There is a trail that will lead hikers down a very scary, yet exciting rock corridor where hikers must rely on chains, ladders, and metal stakes driven into the Travertine rock. Beaver Falls, are located 3 or 4 miles from the bottom of Mooney Falls. Eventually... read more

Description:

One of the most popular things to do at Grand Canyon National Park is to hike this popular, highly-trafficked South Rim trail that starts just steps away from the Grand Canyon Lodges, and ends at the bottom of the canyon. Day hikers, guests staying at Phantom Ranch, and mule riders all share this busy, scenic route, making for some interesting people- and animal-watching. Bright Angel Trail offers great views from the inner canyon--so great, in fact, that hikers can easily lose track of how far they've traveled. Although well-traveled and maintained, Bright Angel Trail is quite steep at some points, and hikers should expect to take twice as long to come back up. The 12-mile trail is not recommended for hikers seeking a one-day, round-trip adventure, but there are plenty of popular outlooks and switchbacks for easy turn-around.

Description:

This steep, well-traveled South Rim trail is one of the most popular with day hikers and mule riders at Grand Canyon National Park. Many visitors make the day hike to Cedar Ridge, which offers great, expansive views and is recommended for hikers who only have a short time to spend in the park. The trail is steep and well-defined with little shade--hikers are advised to bring along plenty of water. Thee are no private vehicles allowed in this part of the park, so to get to the trailhead, take the shuttle bus to Yaki Point Road.

Our Local Expert Says:

Experienced hikers should break out a good pair of boots for this trail. Water is available, but must be treated.

Description:

Give uphill hikers the right-of-way as you descend this steep, rocky trail. On the way back up, you'll appreciate it. The Hermit trail, which is not maintained, but does retain integrity, offers hikes to Santa Maria Spring, a quick 5-mile round trip and Dripping Springs, a 7-mile round trip. The Hermit Trail begins 500 feet west of Hermits Rest. Water from both of these springs is cool and tasty, but must be treated before drinking. If you don't have a water filter, which can be pricey, use iodine tablets. They can be purchased at any outdoors store for only a few dollars.

Our Local Expert Says:

Take this trail, which is one of my favorites, for a day hike or take your time and make a weeklong trip out of the Tonto. No matter how many times I walk this trail, I experience something new.

Description:

Gaze at the spectacular vistas jutting toward the sky in hues of red, purple, and white on the largest stretch of continuous trail in the entire canyon. Though the trail itself extends 70 miles throughout the canyon, many sections are used to form fascinating loop hikes from, to name some popular loops, South Kaibab to Bright Angel, Hermit to Bright Angel, and Red Canyon to Grandview. The sections of the Tonto Trail near Horseshoe Mesa were used frequently by miners at the turn of the century who extracted copper ore from the mines within the mesa. Much of the trail was reworked and altered as a result of the miner's burros. A great entrance to this trail is at the beach created at the mouth of Red Canyon.