Every year, Grand Canyon National Park welcomes nearly 5 million visitors making it one of the most popular parks in the entire world! This geologic marvel measures 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and achieves a depth of greater than 1 mile from rim to river. The staggering scale, breathtaking beauty, and biodiversity of the region make Grand Canyon National Park one of the most sought after travel destinations for all types of travelers. The Park is divided into 4 regions with the South Rim region being by far the most popular. If you’re planning on visiting this iconic destination, continue reading to learn more about our best Grand Canyon South Rim attractions!
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
1. Venture along the South Rim Trail
Not only is the Rim Trail the most popular of our best Grand Canyon South Rim attractions, it’s the most accessible as well. The majority of the trail is smooth pavement, making the hike enjoyable for all ages and abilities. It is also basically flat. For the most ambitious among us, the entire South Rim Trail spans 13 miles one way, from just east of the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest in the west.
For most, parking near the Visitor Center and walking about 0.7 miles each way from Mather Point to Yavapai Point makes for an enjoyable hike. The entire South Rim trail is lined with spectacular views, and Mather Point is known as one of the most popular. Due note that the FREE park shuttle also makes regular stops along the duration of the South Rim trail, allowing you to further customize and make the most of your time in the park! For more information on the current shuttle schedule click HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mostly paved and flat walking trail with numerous spectacular view points
- FREE park shuttle available to pickup and dropoff passengers along the trail
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
2. Hike into the Grand Canyon
For those with the fitness to hack it, hiking into the canyon is the best of our Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions. As far as trails go, 4 different options descend from the south rim into the canyon below. These options include the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, the Hermit Trail, and the Grandview Trail. Of these, the Bright Angel Trail is the most popular followed by the South Kaibab. If you’re only planning one canyon hike, we would recommend the Bright Angel Trail and will detail a little more on this hike below.
The Bright Angel Trail extends for 9.9 miles from the rim to Phantom Ranch in the canyon below. Along this trail, turnaround points such as the 1.5 or 3.0 mile Resthouses, Indian Garden, or Plateau Point are well marked and recommended for most visitors. As far as day hikes go, it is recommended to go no further than Plateau Point. All hikers going beyond should have permits and accommodations to camp for the night and probably should talk with a park ranger prior to making the trek.
On our most recent trip, we were packing a lot of these best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions into a day and a half and therefore turned around at the 1.5 mile rest area. We were afforded stunning views, plentiful wildlife viewing, and a good workout. For all those planning on hiking into the Grand Canyon note that it takes TWICE AS LONG TO HIKE UP AS IT DOES TO HIKE DOWN.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- These are strenuous hikes requiring fitness and adequate water/food
- Budget at least TWICE as long to hike up as it takes to hike down
- Don’t hike further than recommended in a day or without sufficient preparations; heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other medical problems on the trail are all too common
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
3. Drive along Desert View Drive
Driving along Desert View Drive is the perfect relaxing way to end a day at Grand Canyon National Park. Desert View Drive is a scenic 23 mile stretch of Arizona Route 64 connecting Grand Canyon Village in the west to the Desert View Watchtower in the east.
Along the route, visitors are treated to several spectacular lookouts and some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. On our most recent trip we saw a small herd of elk, mule deer, and even a coyote! As far as lookouts go, this drive features our two favorites in the park: Navajo Point and the view from Desert View Watchtower. Although unfortunately closed on our recent trip, the Tusayan Native American Pueblo Site and museum would make excellent additions to your drive as well!
The Desert View Watchtower area features fantastic views of the Grand Canyon, a market with a small deli, a trading post with gifts, ice cream and Starbucks coffee, as well as a pay at the pump gas station to fuel your drive home. For those looking to visit the upper levels of the watchtower, admission is FREE through a first come first serve timed ticketing system from 9:30A-4P. Although this area is popular all day long, we found a late afternoon drive perfect for lighting, animal sightings, and sunset at the watchtower.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Panoramic views from top of the watchtower when open
- Numerous scenic lookouts
- Possible wildlife viewing
- Native American ruins with museum
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
4. Learn about the Park at the Yavapai Geology Museum
Accessible by shuttle, by walking along the South Rim Trail or by parking at the Yavapai parking lot, the Yavapai Geological Museum is one of our best Grand Canyon South Rim attractions. The museum is small but interesting and is recommended for anyone visiting the park.
The Geological Museum is open from 8A-6P daily (at the time of this post) and features a bookstore and museum shop, large glass viewing windows, exhibits detailing the fascinating geology of the Grand Canyon, and an outdoor amphitheater for ranger programs. The museum is located next to the Yavapai Point lookout as well.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- FREE museum with exhibits on the geology of the Grand Canyon
- Large glass windows offer incredible views while indoors and out of the elements
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
5. Visit the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Park Store
Though small and quick to get through, the Visitor Center is worth a visit for anyone entering the park. Surrounded by ample parking and located near popular attractions such as Mather Point, part of the South Rim Trail, and the Yavapai Geology Museum, the Visitor Center is not only one of the best Grand Canyon South Rim attractions, but also serves as a common jumping off point for many visiting the park.
With the free shuttle system and ample walking trails, some may find it easier to leave their vehicle at the Visitor Center parking lots all day rather than contending with the masses attempting to park at each attraction.
The Visitor Center features both indoor and outdoor informative exhibits, a free 20 minute Grand Canyon orientation video (offered every hour and half hour), a large park store (across the pedestrian street), plentiful bathrooms and waterfill stations, a snack and refreshment shop, and numerous park rangers able to answer any questions you may have. The Visitor Center is open daily from 10A-4P and should be included in your itinerary next time you visit the Grand Canyon.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- FREE 20 minute video and informational placards
- Robust park gift shop
- Waterfill stations, bathrooms, bike rentals, and cafe
Best Grand Canyon South Rim Attractions
6. Experience a Grand Canyon Sunset
No trip to the Grand Canyon is complete without viewing one of the famed Grand Canyon sunsets. It’s certainly one of the most popular and best Grand Canyon South Rim attractions.
Best advice would be to scope out your desired location and arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset. The long shadows and light spreading across the canyon is truly a wonder to behold. Perhaps the best and most popular spot for sunset on the south rim is Hopi Point. It will likely be quite crowded. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, consider Mohave or Pima Point for a similar beautiful sunset with views of the Colorado River as well.
Mather Point is popular because it is so accessible, but if you’re able to choose, we believe the above options are likely better. We also enjoyed sunset at Navajo Point and at Desert View Watchtower as well!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hopi Point is probably the best spot
- Mohave and Pima Point are also very good. Mather Point is popular as well.
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