What to do grand canyon south rim?

• Visit the South Rim Viewpoints.
• Bike Along Hermit Road.
• Walk the South Rim Trail.
• Hike Below the Rim.
• Ride a Mule into the Grand Canyon.
• Watch the Grand Canyon IMAX Movie.
• Take a Helicopter Flight Over the Grand Canyon.
• Yavapai Museum of Geology.

Article Overview: Best Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of the most incredible places on earth – full on incredible experiences and things to do. Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The epic views here are unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in the world.

I first visited the Grand Canyon as a 19 year old and (foolishly) backpacked to the bottom of it with no advance preparation on a whim with some friends! I made it back out and have returned many times (with more advance planning!).

If you read this you’ll have a much better idea of what to expect than I did the first time I visited the South Rim including an honest assessment of the good things and the bad.

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about the best things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon including:

$30 per vehicle OR if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months I suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be found at the entrance gates to most national parks). This pass gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.

The Best Guide Book: James Kaiser is the proverbial bees knees in this department. I love all of his National Park guides and his Grand Canyon Guide is no exception.

The Best Grand Canyon Map: I like this map best for Grand Canyon National Park.

Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one which I never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth 🙂

Most folks think of the Grand Canyon in terms of North Rim / South Rim. There’s also an area referred to as Grand Canyon East and Grand Canyon West. In this article I’ve also included some things to do on the East Rim and West Rim because they are so close.

The best time to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is in the Spring and Fall. I recommend the months of April and September when crowds will be down and temperatures will be pleasant.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 24 hours a day all 365 days of the year.

Here’s my favorite spot to stay at the Grand Canyon.

Location: South Rim, North Rim, East Rim

Features: Family Friendly

Ranger talks and guided tours are the kinds of memories one savors for a lifetime. If you’re looking for a great family friendly activity at the south rim of the Grand Canyon then look no further than a classic ranger guided tour.

Every season the National Park Service changes up their offering of ranger guided tours at the Grand Canyon. Availability varies by season with summer and fall being the most popular times to participate in a ranger program.

Examples of the ranger-led activities in the Grand Canyon include:

Check out the NPS website for current ranger-led activities at the Grand Canyon.

Location: Grand Canyon East Rim

Features: Overlook, Historical

Desert View Watchtower is one of the most iconic sites at the Grand Canyon offering some of the best views in the park. Visiting this incredible site is one of the my favorite things to do at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Designed by one of the southwest’s most influential architects, Mary Colter West, Desert View Watchtower was constructed in 1932 and remains in place today.

Her buildings at Grand Canyon include: Desert View Watchtower, Lookout Studio, Hermits Rest, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Lodge, Hopi House, and two employee dormitories – Colter Hall and Victor Hall.

The design is intended to reflect elements of the native tribes and blend with the natural environment of the Grand Canyon. Inside the tower you’ll see beautiful, recently restored murals featuring tribal artwork and pictographs.

At one point the Desert View Watchtower was turned into a gift shop but has since been restored to its original purpose as a scenic rest station for visitors.

The tower is 5 stories tall with different experiences on each level.

Location: Grand Canyon East Rim

Features: Historical

Seeing the Tusayan Ruin is a great add on to your list of things to do at the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park East for cultural and historical buffs. Believe it or not, the Grand Canyon is home to more than 4000 recorded archeological sites dating as far back as 12,000 years ago!

Today, just the base of the construction that happened here is still visible but is a great connection point for people of all ages to the incredible cultural history of the park. It’s estimated that 16 – 20 people lived in this small community.

Be sure to check out the Tusayan Museum while you’re in the area for more great details and to help connect the dots about these amazing people.

Getting to this site is easy as it’s located just off Desert View Drive, 7 minutes driving (3.4 miles) down the road from the Desert View complex.

Check out this handy brochure for more information about the Tusayan Ruin at Grand Canyon National Park.

Location: Grand Canyon Village

Features: Adventure

One of the most adventurous things to do at the Grand Canyon’s south rim is riding a mule down into the canyon itself, perhaps all the way to the bottom if you’re up for it. There are mule ride concessionaires located at both the South Rim and North Rim.

At the South Rim, two different mule rides are offered by Xanterra:

While the whopping price tag for the overnight mule ride might have your wallet reeling, interested parties should know that it does come with overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch (located at the bottom of the canyon, sack lunches, a steak dinner, and breakfast. There’s also a 2 night option for the mule ride as well.

Book here: Check out Xanterra’s website for more information and to book your South Rim mule ride down into the Grand Canyon.

Location: South Rim

Features: Adventure

For those looking for unparalleled aerial views and adventure, add taking a helicopter flight to your list of things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Helicopter tours can be taken from the West Rim, South Rim, and even directly from Las Vegas.

Best Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas: Golden Eagle Tour by Papillion – $379 per person

The Best Helicopter Tour from South Rim: Imperial with Ecostar – $339 per person

Best Helicopter Tour from West Rim: GCW Helicopter Landing with Park Entry – $339 per person

Location: Tusayan, Arizona (South Rim)

Features: Air Conditioning, Family Friendly, Accessible

One of the best things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for folks looking for a little air conditioning and relaxing is watching the epic Grand Canyon IMAX Movie.

While the theater is technically located outside of the park, about 10 miles (15 minutes) south of the South Entrance in Tusayan, it’s a great addition for families and folks looking for a bit more understanding and appreciation for the Grand Canyon.

Ticket Prices: Adult(Ages 11+ to 54) $13.59 Youth Tickets(6-10) $10.33 Senior(55+) $12.50 Military $12.50

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official Grand Canyon IMAX website.

Location: West Rim

Features: Overlooks, Hiking Trails, Accessible

Located on the West Rim (starts at the South Rim), Hermit Road holds some of the best viewpoints and overlooks at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. From March 1 to November 30 the road is only accessible by the park shuttle (red line). During the winter, however, the road opens up to the vehicles of regular visitors like you and me.

Hermit Road is 7 miles long and takes about 15-20 minutes to drive each way depending on how many stops you take. At the end of Hermit Road you’ll reach Hermits Rest which is a great spot to pop out and check out the amazing views.

Grand Canyon viewpoints on Hermit Road include:

Location: South Rim

Features: Historical, Geological, Accessible, Family Friendly, Air Conditioning

The Yavapai Geology Museum is one of the many great things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim if you’re exploring the South Rim due to its central location and, let’s face it, air conditioning!

Here at the Yavapai Geology Museum you can learn about the epic geological history of the grand canyon with massive graphics and reliefs while marveling at canyon itself through giant windows. Visiting the museum is a great activity to couple with the Trail of Time (more on that below).

Location: South Rim

Features: Historical, Geological, Family Friendly, Accessible, Hiking Trail,Overlooks

The Trail of Time is one of the really great interactive things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim that gives you a real appreciation of the canyon’s epic formation over billions of years. The paved trail starts just behind the Yavapai Geology Museum and is completely accessible.

The first portion of the trail (about 150 yards) covers a span of one million years. The second portion is approximately 2.8 miles and transports you through 2 billion years. Every meter on the second part of the trail represents 1 million years of geologic time in the Grand Canyon.

The trail takes about an hour to complete and provides you with sweeping views of the canyon along the way.

Location: South Rim

Features: Hiking Trail, Adventure, Overlooks

I still remember my first time hiking down the Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab trail as a strapping 18 year old lad. While I certainly got in way over my head back then having no clue what I was doing, backpacking to the bottom of the canyon for the night with essential items like my trusty 10 gallon cooking pot, it was a very memorable time to say the least.

The entire trail is 7.1 miles long with over 4500 feet of elevation gain but visitors should not attempt it without first visiting the rangers at the backcountry office for a required permit and honestly evaluating their own capabilities.

What makes this trail incredible is the dramatic views available here unlike any other trail in the park. The descent is steep with sweeping panoramas at places like Ooh Aah Point (more on that below).

Popping on the trail for a mile or so, however, is a great way to get down into the canyon and experience some incredible vistas. Just keep in mind that every step down means a step back up!

Location: South Rim & West Rim

Features: Overlooks, Driving, Hiking Trails, Family Friendly, Wildlife

The first time I realized that there were elk at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon was seeing one cross the road while driving Desert View Drive. In fact, I didn’t even realized there was more to the national park than Grand Canyon Village and the South Rim the first time I visited.

Desert View Drive has some of the park’s most beautiful scenery and attractions including Desert Viewpoint (one of the best in the park), Desert Watchtower, Navajo Point, Lipan Point (another great one), The Tusayan Museum, Moran Point, Grandview Point, Shoshone Point, Yaki Point, & access to the South Kaibab Trial including Ooh Aah Point.

Location: South Rim

Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks

The Bright Angel Trail is the ultimate Grand Canyon South Rim trail and one of the greatest, most famous trails in the entire world. Hiking at least a small portion of this trail should be in consideration for everyone’s list of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon.

This trail has been used for a very long time – first by Native Americans, then miners, pioneers, and finally tourists. At one point, a toll gate charging $1 admission to the trail was set up on Bright Angel by a nefarious fortune seeker who went on to become a US Senator.

The trail is 8 miles long (nearly 10 to Phantom Ranch) with a staggering 4,380 feet of elevation each way. For reference, that’s significantly more than two One World Trade Centers in elevation!

Hiking any extended (or not so extended) portion of this trail is strenuous and should be done with caution. The way down is deceivingly easy and the way back up can be grueling. Water stations are available at the 1.5 mile and 3 mile rest stations as well as Indian Gardens which is basically the halfway point to the Colorado River.

As compared to the South Kaibab Trail which as wide open, panoramic views, the first several miles of Bright Angel offer a more narrow view of the canyon, albeit still spectacular. The good news is that the trail is shaded in the morning and afternoons providing hikers with coverage from the sun.

NOTE: Keep in mind when hiking Bright Angel is that every step down is one that must be taken up. A good rule of thumb is that however long it takes you to hike down it will take at least double that amount of time to hike back up.

Location: South Rim

Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks

Ooh Aah Point is one of the coolest overlooks from the Grand Canyon South Rim that has a cool and most fitting name. From here, sweeping panoramic vistas can be achieved unlike any others in the park as the views here are from within the canyon itself.

Getting to Ooh Aah Point requires a bit of effort and returning from it requires about twice as much as it’s all uphill. The point itself is located about .9 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the trailhead, roughly 600 feet below the canyon rim. A wooden sign marks the spot that can’t be missed.

Location: Canyon Floor

Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks

The ultimate South Rim Grand Canyon adventure is hiking all the way down to the bottom, and then of course back up. To do so requires an overnight trip on the canyon floor which can be really epic and the memory of a lifetime.

For me, I attempted this many moons ago as a strapping young 18 year old not having any clue what I was doing and now have all the wisdom of what not to do, which includes: starting late in the day, packing 80lbs of mostly useless junk in your backpack, wearing terrible sandals, jumping in the river at the bottom, and more!

We hiked down the incredible South Kaibab Trail which features a steep descent with dramatic sheer drop offs and back up the historic Bright Angel Trail. I’d recommend this route for folks with good knees!

Staying overnight at the bottom of the Grand Canyon requires a special permit and lots of planning. If you’re interested you should first chat with a ranger at the backcountry office!

You can either camp at the bottom or rent a room/cabin at the historic Phantom Ranch lodge.

NOTE: Temperatures at the bottom of the canyon are often 20 degrees hotter than those at the rim so plan accordingly!

Location: South Rim

Features: Overlooks, Family Friendly

Stepping out onto Mather Point for the first time and getting “the view” of the Grand Canyon is a right of passage for every national park lover out there. Mather Point is a quintessential American viewpoint featuring one of our most prized national treasures. As far as the best things to do at the Grand Canyon go, this is an absolute must for everyone visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time.

With that being said, the South Rim is chocked full of stunning overlooks and viewpoints, most of which are far less crowded than Mather Point which can feel like the opening seconds of Walmart on Black Friday.

Other South Rim Viewpoints include:

Location: East Rim

Features: Overlooks, Family Friendly, Sunset

Maybe this one is a bit sentimental for me but I think there’s no better way to cap a day at the Grand Canyon than soaking in an epic sunset from Desert View. I recall doing this with my brother and dad many years back and thinking that it was the absolute perfect evening.

From Desert View you can see all the way down to the Colorado River in the distance. During sunset the canyon lights up with vivid hues of red and purple that seem to last forever.

For the best views I recommend going just past the Desert View Watchtower where you’ll see benches and a railing. Be sure to show up about 30 minutes before sunset to soak in the whole show and get the best spot.

Depending on which parts of the Grand Canyon you’re trying to see will determine the best place place to stay in the park. There are hotels, lodges, and campgrounds located on the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

There are two campgrounds at the South Rim run by the National Park Service:

At the South Rim of the Grand Canyon there are two options if you’re looking for hotels. The first, more expensive option is staying at one of the premiere lodges that are located inside the national park at Grand Canyon Village. For those Grand Canyon hotels see the Xanterra page.

The more affordable option is getting a hotel in Tusayan (5-10 minute drive). I’ve compiled a full listing of the best Tusayan hotels.

At it’s deepest point the Grand Canyon is 6,000 feet deep while it averages a depth of 4,000 feet.

At it’s widest point the Grand Canyon is 18 miles across from rim to rim.

Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long with varying widths and depths throughout.

Grand Canyon National Park consists of 1,218,375 acres making it one of the largest national parks outside of Alaska.

Despite being roughly 10 miles as the crow flies across the canyon, the drive to the north rim from the south rim takes about 4 hours.

Grand Canyon Viewpoints: 20 Best Views of the Grand Canyon (National Park)

Grand Canyon South Rim Things to Do: 15 Amazing Things to Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Things to Do at the Grand Canyon: 20 Best Things to Do at Grand Canyon National Park

Closest Cities to the Grand Canyon: 10 Closest Cities Near the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Facts: 15 Fascinating Grand Canyon National Park Facts

Desert View Watchtower: Explore the Historic Desert View Watchtower (Grand Canyon)

Grand Canyon in Winter: Visiting the Grand Canyon in December (Winter Guide)

Arizona National Parks: 24 Epic Arizona National Parks to Visit (Photos + Guide)

Things to Do Saguaro NP: 15 Best Things to Do Saguaro National Park

Things to Do Zion NP: 18 Epic Things to Do at Zion National Park

Best Hikes Saguaro NP: 10 Best Saguaro National Park Hikes

National Parks Near Tucson: 10 Best National Parks Near Tucson

National Parks Near Phoenix: 10 Best National Parks Near Phoenix

The Grand Canyon is a truly unique and awe-inspiring sight. Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park covers almost 2,000 square miles and includes both the North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon (the West Rim, where the Skywalk is located, is on the Hualapai Native American Reservation and is not part of the Grand Canyon National Park). With visitor numbers reaching over 6 million in recent years, the Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most visited in the US.

The Grand Canyon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its deep red walls were carved over millions of years by the Colorado River and tell the story of 2 billion years of geological history.

There are two options for where to stay at the Grand Canyon South Rim:

Spending the night at the Grand Canyon is a wonderful experience. We’ve stayed in the park on our last couple of visits and love being able to catch the sunrise and sunset and have easy access to the shuttle buses.

The in-park accommodation is located in Grand Canyon Village, the center hub of the South Rim. The village is also well serviced by the park’s shuttle service.

Book your stay at the Grand Canyon now!

Book your stay in Tusayan now

If you’re planning to visit a couple of the US National Parks we highly recommend purchasing an America The Beautiful pass. The pass grants you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the US, including all the National Parks. We purchased a pass before we began our trip across the US and it’s one of the best value tickets out there!

Buy your National Parks pass now!

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The moderate temperatures and lower crowds typically mean that Spring and Fall are considered the most desirable times to visit the Grand Canyon:

With moderate temperatures (averaging 50°F to 70°F), lower crowds and blooming wildflowers, Spring is one of the best times to visit the Grand Canyon. The weather can be a little unpredictable so pack plenty of layers and rain gear.

July and August are the busiest months at the Grand Canyon. Average temperatures at the South Rim reach the mid 80s°F and the long days are perfect for exploring – remember, temperatures increase by 5.5°F for each 1,000 feet of elevation loss so temperatures can easily reach over 100°F down at Phantom Ranch. Hiking can be challenging in the middle of the day so water and sunscreen are essential. Heavy rain showers are common in summer but they typically don’t last long.

Moderate temperatures (averaging 50°F to 75°F), fall foilage and lower crowds make Fall another great time to visit the Grand Canyon. Like spring, the weather can be a little unpredictable so pack plenty of layers and rain gear.

the Grand Canyon in Winter is often a place of solitude and beauty with less visitors resulting in quieter viewpoints and less expensive accommodation. However, the weather is generally very cold (lows of 20ºF to highs of 43ºF) with icy roads and trails and a high chance of snow. At the North Rim, all facilities and lodgings shut down for winter and roads are closed to all vehicles between December 1st and May 15th.

It really depends on what you want to see and do! Some visitors stop by a couple of viewpoints and arrive and leave within a day but there are so many more fantastic things to do at the Grand Canyon. We recommend spending at least one full day at the Grand Canyon South Rim and ideally two if time permits.

One full day will allow time to explore some of the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon, hike a portion of the Rim Trail, and maybe catch a sunrise and sunset. A second day will enable you to descend into the Canyon while exploring part of the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trails and enjoy a scenic drive along Desert View Drive.

Check out our guide to exploring the Grand Canyon in one day for more ideas.

We’ve included our 1, 2 and 3 day Grand Canyon South Rim itineraries. These itineraries assume full days at the South Rim – make sure to allow for travel days to and from the South Rim when you are planning your own Grand Canyon itinerary.

Our one Canyon 1 day itinerary showcases some of the South Rim highlights:

Start the day with a magical sunrise at the Grand Canyon. We have a few favorite spots from where to watch the sunrise:

The Hermit Road viewpoints are a series of viewpoints located along Hermit Road to the west of the South Rim between Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest. The viewpoints offer incredible views of the Canyon. To explore the viewpoints you can hike, take the red shuttle (or drive in winter) or rent a bike from Bright Angel Bicycles and cycle along the rim.

Viewpoints (and shuttle stops): Trailview Overlook – Maricopa Point – Powell Point – Hopi Point – Mohave Point – The Abyss – Monument Creek Vista – Pima Point – Hermits Rest

It takes around 2.5 hours to walk the 7 miles between the Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest but you can take the shuttle bus between stops. A great option is to hike out to Trail View Overlook or to Maricopa Point and use the shuttle from there.

If you opt to rent bikes then the Hermit Road Greenway is our favorite spot for a bike ride: the 2.8mile trail between Monument Creek Vista and Hermit Rest is packed with viewpoints and it is separate from the road so there are no vehicles to contend with.

There are lots of places to eat in the Grand Canyon Village or you can even bring a picnic.

There’s a snack bar at Hermit’s Rest, a couple of food trucks in the village, and a casual cafe at Bright Angel Lodge. If you want to eat somewhere special then the historic El Tovar is a real treat with its fine dining and canyon views.

Our favorite picnic spot along the rim is Hermit’s Rest, where you can enjoy beautiful views and fewer crowds.

There are some awesome viewpoints located to the east of the Grand Canyon Village. Mather Point is adjacent to the Vistors Center and has stunning views and Yavapi Point is also magnificent. The views from Yaki Point are quite different from other viewpoints at the South Rim with open views of the Canyon to the east.

If you want to learn more about the Grand Canyon then stop by the Yavapi Geology Museum. The museum is located on the edge of the canyon and has wonderful panoramic views. It also has some fantastic exhibitions explaining how the Grand Canyon was formed.

One of the highlights of the museum is the large relief map that shows all of the features of the Grand Canyon on a small scale.

The Trail of Time, where each meter walked represents 1 million years of history, is an almost 3 mile flat paved walk that begins at the Yavapi Geology Museum. It’s a fantastic visual representation of the formation of the Grand Canyon.

Yaki Point is a great option for sunset as it’s usually quiet and you can find a quiet area to enjoy an epic Grand Canyon sunset. The colors are wonderful and the Desert View Watchtower is visible in the distance.

Hopi Point, with its wide unobstructed views, is another sunset favorite as is the ever-popular Mather Point adjacent to the Visitors Center.

For a unique sunset experience, the Pink Jeep Tour is one of the most popular tours at the Grand Canyon. You can ride in an open-top while checking out some magical South Rim sunset spots – check prices now!

Book your tour now!

If you are spending the night in one of the Grand Canyon lodges then make sure to pop outside and check out the night skies. The park is listed as an International Dark Sky Park and there are some great opportunities for stargazing. The stars are amazing from along the rim (obviously take extreme care in the dark). The viewpoints towards Desert View, which are away from much of the light pollution, are another awesome spot.

Spending a second day at the South Rim allows time to experience some unique Grand Canyon adventures. You can follow our Grand Canyon 1 day itinerary and then pick and choose from our other Grand Canyon favorites:

Descending below the rim of the Grand Canyon allows you to experience the Grand Canyon from an entirely unique perspective.

The two most popular trails are the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails and it is possible to hike a portion of either trail – remember, you need to save some energy for the climb back out of the canyon. It’s the hardest part and coming out of the canyon typically takes us twice as long as going down into it!

South Kaibab Trail: the South Kaibab Trail follows a ridgeline down into the Canyon and the views are spectacular but it’s a steeper hike up to the rim. There are lots of viewpoints along the South Kaibab Trail – our favorite short hike is the 1.8mile trail to Ooh Aah Point but you don’t have to go the full way. The trailhead for the South Kaibab trail is located on the shuttle bus route close to Yaki Point.

Bright Angel Trail: The Bright Angel trailhead is located at the rim beside Bright Angel Lodge and it follows a fault into the canyon via a series of steep switchbacks. There are shorter hiking options – the easiest is 1.5 Mile Resthouse.

A helicopter flight is an amazing opportunity to soar above the Canyon and it showcases its indescribable size and scale. One of the best is the Spirit Helicopter Tour by Maverick Tours – it is a 45-minute scenic flight with amazing views of the Painted Desert, Kaibab National Forest, and Dragon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the canyon. This is one of the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon and in our opinion is definitely worth the money. – check prices now!

There are also fantastic airplane tours – check prices now!

Book your airplane tour now

The Desert View Drive viewpoints are located between Grand Canyon Village and the East entrance of the park. There are some beautiful views of the Grand Canyon from the viewpoints along Desert View Drive.

One of our favorite viewpoints is the Desert View Viewpoint which is the closest viewpoint to the East Entrance. For us, and many, this is the first-ever glimpse of the magnificent Grand Canyon and the panoramic views sweep from the plains of the Painted Desert to the east to the Colorado River disappearing far to the west. The viewpoint is also home to the Desert View Watchtower, a 5 story watchtower that was built in 1932 and is usually open for a climb to the top.

The Tusayan Museum and Ruin are 3 miles to the west of the Desert View Tower. You can walk around the remains of a small Ancestral Puebloan village and learn more through the interpretative signs. The museum has artifacts and traditional handicrafts made by ancestral Puebloans which date back as far as 4,000 years.

GrandView Point and Moran Point are other highlights. Horseshoe Mesa, a horseshoe-shaped red rock formation close to where the Last Chance copper Mine was established, is visible from GrandView Point. Moran Point sits atop Red Canyon and has a westerly view of the Grand Canyon.

For a truly unique experience at the Grand Canyon, visitors can take a mule ride down into the Canyon. Mules have been used at the Grand Canyon since the late 1800’s and are still used today to ferry visitors and supplies in and out of the canyon. Mules rides should be booked in advance and can be arranged by contacting the Grand Canyon Lodges here.

If you have the luxury of a third day at the Grand Canyon you can explore the canyon even further with the many long hikes on offer.

If you want to descend into the canyon but prefer something a little less strenuous than a rim to river hike, there are overnight mule rides to the base of the canyon. They include an overnight stay at the historic Phantom Ranch, the only accommodation at the base of the Grand Canyon. Mule rides should be booked in advance and can be arranged by contacting the Grand Canyon Lodges here.

If you have an extra day in your Grand Canyon itinerary then you might want to take the opportunity to do a challenging day hike below the rim. There are some fantastic day hikes into the Canyon but, again, it’s imperative that your physical health and fitness levels are up to the challenge and you are well prepared with hiking essentials including water and sunscreen.

Some of the best day hikes include:

a rim to river hike, the Bright Angel trailhead is located at the rim beside Bright Angel Lodge. The trail follows a fault into the canyon via a series of steep switchbacks and passes mile and half resthouse, three-mile resthouse, and, after descending 3,000 feet, the lush Indian Garden with cottonwood trees and a stream known as Garden Creek – this is a great turning point for a day hike and it takes about 7 hours out and back depending on your hiking abilities. The hike back out is extremely challenging and it is only recommended for strong hikers.

Grandview Trail was built in 1893 as a mining route to connect the rim with Horseshoe Mesa and, later, the copper mine. The loop is rocky and exposed and is 20.1km in total. Coconino Saddle is a popular viewpoint 1.1 mile along the trail and Horseshoe Mesa is 3 miles from the trailhead and a popular day hike. Artefacts from mining days gone past remain at top of the Horsehoe Mesa and there are also some camping spots.

This 1911 trail has an interesting history having been built to serve a luxury campsite close to Hermit Creek – there was even a tram to transport guests from the rim to the campground. Santa Maria Spring, a steep 2-mile descent, and Breezy Point, one mile further but similar elevation, are popular day hikes.

The South Kaibab Trail follows a ridgeline down into the Canyon and the views are spectacular but it’s a steeper hike up to the rim. There are lots of viewpoints along the South Kaibab Trail – after reaching one of our favorite viewpoints, Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge is a good choice for a day hike and has amazing views of the Canyon.

If you want to dedicate all 3 days to an iconic hike then the Rim to Rim Trail is the obvious choice. The North and South Rim of the Grand Canyon are less than 10 miles apart but it takes 5 hours to drive the 220 miles between them. If you like a challenge, it is possible to hike Rim to Rim descending from the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trail on the South Rim and ascending to the North Rim via the North Kaibab trail. Visitors typically spend a night at Phantom Ranch or Bright Angel Campground at the bottom of the canyon. This is an extremely challenging hike and one which only a small number of visitors undertake.