So, you’ve decided to visit Grand Canyon South Rim and are wondering what to do in the Grand Canyon. Look no further! Here’s a guide to the best things to do in the Grand Canyon on the South Rim. Also, check out our one day at Grand Canyon Itinerary.
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Grand Canyon: First Impressions
“Crying: Acceptable at funerals and the Grand Canyon.”
A mile-deep, 277 miles long, and 18 miles wide, Grand Canyon is colossal and stupendo fantabulously phantasmagorically magical!
You can’t help but stand there in awe at the sight of the canyon’s mighty stretch of canyons, rims, and unique rock formations. That’s what we did. We stood there as if time had come to a standstill. We gasped at the beauty all around. Mother Nature has a magic wand, I’m sure.
You can’t get enough of it! You can’t.
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Best Things to do in the Grand Canyon
But looking at the views from the vantage points isn’t the only thing you can do in the canyon. Though that’d take the majority of your time 😉 as it’s the best ever of all the Grand Canyon activities. The canyon has millions of years of history and tribal culture attached to it. Plus, hiking is a beautiful and exciting way to admire the beauty at the bottom of the canyon.
Apart from hiking, you can also indulge yourself in adventurous outdoor activities like rafting in the Colorado River, skydiving into the canyon, and biking.
Let’s discuss all the amazing things to do in the Grand Canyon South Rim!
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Ride the Historic Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel
An indelible experience that’s sure to add a touch of magic to your vacation to the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Train takes you on a journey of a lifetime.
The well-preserved vintage train (since 1901) leaves Williams, Arizona sharp at 9:30 am (MST) to take you to one of the seven wonders of the world. You not only enjoy the ever-changing scenic views out your window but the musicians and the antics of cowboy characters keep you entertained all the way.
You are given 3 hours at the canyon’s South Rim so you can explore a bit before it departs.
If you need more time to explore Grand Canyon to your heart’s content, you can choose one of the exclusive packages offered by the Grand Canyon Railway where they also provide a stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel or lodging inside Grand Canyon National Park.
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Visit the South Rim Visitor Center
It’s vital to visit the Visitor Center before you start your Grand Canyon journey.
You can collect a lot of information about park activities, attractions, hikes, ranger programs, shuttle services, lodging services, and more.
It’s here where you can rent a bike.
Also, you can have a cup of coffee and snacks or maybe pack some for your trip.
There’s a Park Store from where you can buy souvenirs as a remembrance of your trip to the Grand Canyon. That’s a must!
Watch Sunrise and Sunset over the Grand Canyon
You must start your day super early to make the most of your day at Grand Canyon.
Make sure to reach the park at about 5 a.m. to catch the sunrise and leave at about 8 p.m. after taking in the colors of the sunset.
It’s best to reach the canyon a night before exploration and stay in or around the Grand Canyon.
Visit the South Rim Viewpoints
There are many amazing viewpoints at the South Rim to get the best views of the Grand Canyon.
The viewpoints are dispersed among three sections of the South Rim –
• Desert View Road (Grandview Point, Shoshone Point, Moran Point, Zuni Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, Desert View Watchtower)
• Grand Canyon Village (Lookout Studio, Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point, Ooh Aah Point)
• Hermit Road (Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, Hermit’s Rest, Yuma Point.)
Most of the viewpoints are accessible by drive or shuttle except for some (Grandview Point, Shoshone Point, Zuni Point, Ooh Aah Point, and Yuma Point) that require hiking.
Visit Hopi House
An exquisite building, Hopi House was designed by Mary Colter and built by the Hopi using native stone and wood to mimic their traditional dwellings called Hopi pueblo in1905.
Located near the Verkamp’s Visitor Center on the South Rim, the building houses American Indian jewelry, pottery, basketwork, books, rugs, and other authentic hand-crafted artifacts.
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Walk, Bike, or Ride the Shuttle along Hermit Road
A 7-mile (11 km) long Hermit Road that starts at Village Route Transfer and ends at Hermit’s Rest tops the list of Grand Canyon attractions.
While walking the entire distance isn’t possible if you’ve young kids with you, riding the shuttle and biking are the two lovely options to explore the overlooks along Hermit Road.
If you are short on time, you can choose the viewpoints you want to get off. Hopi Point, Powell Point, and Mohave Point are the best viewpoints along Hermit Road.
You can rent a bike from Bright Angel Bicycles & Mather Point Café. They have a Hermit Shuttle Package where you can bike the entire length of Hermit Road and come back to the Village Route Station by shuttle.
For Hermit Road, you have to board the Hermits Rest Route (Red Route) shuttle. A roundtrip takes about 80 minutes.
Walk the Entire or a Part of Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is 13 miles (21 km) long and stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead west to Hermits Rest.
The trail is mostly flat and paved, mostly. If you’ve already covered Hermit Road, you can just walk the remaining section which includes South Kaibab Trailhead, Pipe Creek Vista, Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Park Headquarters junction.
Hike to the Bottom of the Rim
Hiking is, undoubtedly, one of the best ways to experience the canyon, up close.
The Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail are the two popular hiking trails on the South Rim. They provide a chance to go deep into the canyon and offer dramatic views of the inner canyon.
12 miles roundtrip, the Bright Angel Trail starts just west of Bright Angel Lodge and ends at Plateau Point. Though steep and challenging, the dirt trail is well-defined and well-maintained.
There are a couple of resthouses and switchbacks every 1 to 1.5 miles. If you want to opt for a short hike, you can hike to a 1.5-mile Resthouse or a 3-mile Resthouse and then, turn around.
6 miles roundtrip, the South Kaibab Trail starts south of Yaki Point and ends at Skeleton Point near the Colorado River. The South Kaibab trailhead is accessible only by a shuttle bus. Again if you don’t have the time and energy to complete the entire trail, you can hike Ooh Aah Point or Cedar Bridge and turn around.
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Walk the Trail of Time
Part of the Rim Trail, flat and paved (2.83 miles), the Trail of Time is actually a geological timeline. It stretches from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to the Yavapai Geology Museum.
Each meter you cover on the trail denotes one million years (marked by bronze markers) of the geologic history of the Grand Canyon. It’s a fun and interesting way for kids to learn about how Grand Canyon is formed.
Visit the Yavapai Museum of Geology
Located at Yavapai Point, the museum features exhibits about the geology of the Grand Canyon and large panoramic windows that offer breathtaking views of the canyon.
There’s also a bookstore and a museum shop to buy a souvenir.
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Take a Mule Trip
If walking isn’t your thing, you can take one of a few mule trips offered by Xanterra on the South Rim. The Canyon Vistas Ride (3 hours) along the rim and overnight rides take you to the bottom of the canyon up until Phantom Ranch.
Be aware that the mule rides are to be booked 15 months in advance. Also, the rider must be 9 or above, at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, weigh less than 200 to 225 lbs, and be able to communicate in English. For Phantom Ranch reservations, an online lottery system is used.
Take a Ranger Guided Program
Guided tours and hikes by park rangers are a great way to explore the Grand Canyon and its wildlife. The Junior Ranger Program is great for kids.
Let them flaunt their Junior Ranger Badges!
Visit the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center
Once you’re done exploring the park, you can head to the Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center to dive deeper into the Grand Canyon’s magic.
Watch a 34-minute movie “Over the Rim and Beyond, Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” at the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater to learn more about one of the best natural wonders of the world.
Also, you can buy park passes, grab free maps, book sightseeing tours, visit with a park ranger, shop for unique souvenirs at the National Geographic Store, and eat at the Explorer’s Café.
Book your IMAX movie tickets in advance.
Drive the Desert View Drive
Drive the 25-mile (42 km) of beauty, Desert View Drive (AZ-64) aka East Rim Drive. Sprinkled with breathtaking lookout points, the drive lets you capture the varied moods of the Grand Canyon.
The drive leaves the Grand Canyon Village at the South Entrance and ends at Desert View.
You must climb the historic Desert View Watch Tower Observation Deck (70 feet) to capture some of the finest views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.
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Cameron Trading Post
Located a mile north of AZ-64 and US-89, Cameron Indian Trading Post (since 1916) features some of the finest Native American Art in the Southwest.
And then 5 miles east of US-160, at the Tuba City junction, you can witness the dinosaur tracks!
It certainly is one of the best things to do near the Grand Canyon.
Visit the Tusayan Ruins and Museum
Located 3-miles west of the Desert View Watchtower, a visit to the Tusayan Ruins and Museum is a great way to know more about American Indians of the region.
Indulge in the magic of Stargazing
You can’t visit the Grand Canyon and not experience ogling at the star-studded night sky. After all, you are at an International Dark Sky Park!
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Take a Helicopter Tour
The Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour is the best way to appreciate the immense beauty of the Grand Canyon. It allows you to witness the grandiosity of the Grand Canyon you can’t see from the viewpoints.
Enjoy Rafting on the Colorado River
If adventure thrills you, you can enjoy white water rafting trips through the park. There are trips that range from 1 day to 18 days.
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Take a Pink Jeep Tour
Experience the Grand Canyon like never before with one of the many amazing Pink Jeep Tours.
Their Grand Entrance Sunset Tour is one of the most popular tours.
That’s a wrap-up of our guide to the best things to do in the Grand Canyon South Rim! If you’ve any questions, please ask in the comments section. We’re happy to help 🙂
Happy Canyoning!
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