What to see and do at Grand Canyon National Park

Time available Activity Comments

A few hours Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station View the exhibits at the Visitor Center describing the natural and human history of the Grand Canyon and attend one of the audio-visual programs.
Take a walk along the rim trail from the Visitor Center to the Yavapai Observation Station. There are many splendid temples and buttes in this area of the Canyon that can be viewed fro m the rim trail. Yavapai Observation Station has exhibits on the geology of the Grand Canyon and provides a nice view of Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon.

A half day Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station (see above) plus the East and/or Hermit Roads The Hermit Road provides some very dramatic views of the heart of the Canyon. There are a number of turnouts along the way at which you can stop and take the time to fully appreciate the Canyon. At least one hour, and preferably two or more, should be allowed to drive to Hermit's Rest and return to the village area. During the summer months the Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles and the only access is via a Park Service Shuttle.
The scenery along the Desert View Drive contrasts greatly with that of the Hermit Road. This section of the Canyon is much wider and more open. The highest point on the south rim, Grandview Point, is on the east rim and is one of the best places to view the Canyon. Yaki Point is one of my favorite places to watch sunrise or sunset. Desert View provides an excellent view of the Colorado River. The Tusayan Ruins are also located near the eastern end of the Desert View Drive.
Both the East and Hermit Roads provide some excellent spots for a picnic. Those along the Desert View Drive provide more shade and actually have picnic tables.

Attend a ranger program Many ranger programs are presented throughout the day. These consist of nature walks, geology talks, children's programs, archeology tours, history talks and evening programs. Check your copy of THE GUIDE for the SOUTH RIM for exact times and locations.

One day Any of all of the above plus a short hike into the Canyon Hike the Bright Angel Trail to the 1 1/2 or 3 mile resthouses, the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge (3 miles round-trip) or the Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring (4 miles round-trip). Make sure that you allow 1/3 of your time to hike in and 2/3 to hike out. You may think it's a breeze on the way down but that long, steady, uphill climb on the way out will get you. The Bright Angel Trail has water available at the resthouses from spring through fall only, it is turned off during the winter months. Carry a bottle of water or a canteen.

Two days Visit Phantom Ranch If you plan far enough ahead you can arrange to go down by mule. If you did not plan far enough in advance or if you just don't trust the mules, you can still walk down, assuming there is someplace for you to stay down there. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp at Bright Angel Campground which is only 1/2 mile from the ranch. The ranch also has dormitory accommodations which are available to hikers for a nominal fee. The meals served at the Phantom Ranch Canteen are spectacular. Meals must be reserved a day in advance.

Do an overnight hike There are a number of trails in the Grand Canyon that you can use for a simple overnight trip. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp anywhere below the rim overnight. Some very good overnight trips are:

Hermit Trail to Hermit Camp and/or Hermit Rapids
Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa
Tanner Trail to Tanner Rapids

Three or more days Raft the Colorado I have not yet done this myself but I am looking forward to the day when I do. There is an excellent web site already established that deals solely with Grand Canyon River Running. A river trip can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.

Do a multi-day backpacking trip There are some very nice loop-hikes and wilderness trails that will take you deep into the Canyon to places where few have gone. Part of this type of hike will undoubtedly use the Tonto Trail as it runs all the way from Red Canyon in the east (Tanner Canyon if you count the Escalante Route as being part of it, which I do) to west of Bass Rapids in the western portion of the Canyon. Some very nice multi-day hikes are as follows:

Hermit - Tonto - Boucher loop
Hermit - Tonto - Bright Angel loop
Grandview - Tonto - South Kaibab loop
Red Canyon - Tonto - Grandview loop
Tanner - Escalante - Red Canyon loop

Time available	Activity	Comments
A few hours	Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station	View the exhibits at the Visitor Center describing the natural and human history of the Grand Canyon and attend one of the audio-visual programs. Take a walk along the rim trail from the Visitor Center to the Yavapai Observation Station. There are many splendid temples and buttes in this area of the Canyon that can be viewed fro m the rim trail. Yavapai Observation Station has exhibits on the geology of the Grand Canyon and provides a nice view of Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon.
A half day	Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station (see above) plus the East and/or Hermit Roads	The Hermit Road provides some very dramatic views of the heart of the Canyon. There are a number of turnouts along the way at which you can stop and take the time to fully appreciate the Canyon. At least one hour, and preferably two or more, should be allowed to drive to Hermit's Rest and return to the village area. During the summer months the Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles and the only access is via a Park Service Shuttle. The scenery along the Desert View Drive contrasts greatly with that of the Hermit Road. This section of the Canyon is much wider and more open. The highest point on the south rim, Grandview Point, is on the east rim and is one of the best places to view the Canyon. Yaki Point is one of my favorite places to watch sunrise or sunset. Desert View provides an excellent view of the Colorado River. The Tusayan Ruins are also located near the eastern end of the Desert View Drive. Both the East and Hermit Roads provide some excellent spots for a picnic. Those along the Desert View Drive provide more shade and actually have picnic tables.
Attend a ranger program	Many ranger programs are presented throughout the day. These consist of nature walks, geology talks, children's programs, archeology tours, history talks and evening programs. Check your copy of THE GUIDE for the SOUTH RIM for exact times and locations.
One day	Any of all of the above plus a short hike into the Canyon	Hike the Bright Angel Trail to the 1 1/2 or 3 mile resthouses, the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge (3 miles round-trip) or the Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring (4 miles round-trip). Make sure that you allow 1/3 of your time to hike in and 2/3 to hike out. You may think it's a breeze on the way down but that long, steady, uphill climb on the way out will get you. The Bright Angel Trail has water available at the resthouses from spring through fall only, it is turned off during the winter months. Carry a bottle of water or a canteen.
Two days	Visit Phantom Ranch	If you plan far enough ahead you can arrange to go down by mule. If you did not plan far enough in advance or if you just don't trust the mules, you can still walk down, assuming there is someplace for you to stay down there. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp at Bright Angel Campground which is only 1/2 mile from the ranch. The ranch also has dormitory accommodations which are available to hikers for a nominal fee. The meals served at the Phantom Ranch Canteen are spectacular. Meals must be reserved a day in advance.
Do an overnight hike	There are a number of trails in the Grand Canyon that you can use for a simple overnight trip. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp anywhere below the rim overnight. Some very good overnight trips are: Hermit Trail to Hermit Camp and/or Hermit Rapids Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa Tanner Trail to Tanner Rapids
Three or more days	Raft the Colorado	I have not yet done this myself but I am looking forward to the day when I do. There is an excellent web site already established that deals solely with Grand Canyon River Running. A river trip can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.
Do a multi-day backpacking trip	There are some very nice loop-hikes and wilderness trails that will take you deep into the Canyon to places where few have gone. Part of this type of hike will undoubtedly use the Tonto Trail as it runs all the way from Red Canyon in the east (Tanner Canyon if you count the Escalante Route as being part of it, which I do) to west of Bass Rapids in the western portion of the Canyon. Some very nice multi-day hikes are as follows: Hermit - Tonto - Boucher loop Hermit - Tonto - Bright Angel loop Grandview - Tonto - South Kaibab loop Red Canyon - Tonto - Grandview loop Tanner - Escalante - Red Canyon loop

North Rim

Time available Activity Comments

A few hours Bright Angel Point Walk the trail out to Bright Angel Point.

Point Imperial Point Imperial is the highest point on either rim of the Grand Canyon and provides an incredible view of the surrounding area. An 11 mile (18 km) paved auto road connects Point Imperial to the lodging area.
A half day Either or both of the above plus Cape Royal Cape Royal is on the tip of an arm that sticks out into the Canyon and from that vantage point you get some incredible views of the inner canyon. A self guided nature trail leads you from the parking area to the tip of the cape. Another trail, which branches off of the trail to Cape Royal will take you to the Angel's Window, a natural stone arch that has been eroded away though a fin of rock which projects out into the Canyon. A 23 mile (37 km) paved auto road leads from the lodging area to Cape Royal.
On your way to Cape Royal you may also stop at the Walhalla Overlook to view the Anasazi Indian ruin located there.

Attend a ranger program Many ranger programs are presented throughout the day. These consist of nature walks, geology talks, children's programs, archeology tours, history talks and evening programs. Check your copy of THE GUIDE for the NORTH RIM for exact times and locations.

One day Any all of the above plus a short hike Hike along the rim on the Widforss or Uncle Jim Trails. If you are feeling really adventurous try hiking down the North Kaibab Trail to the Coconino Overlook or the Supai Tunnel.

Two days Take a longer hike Hike down the North Kaibab Trail to Roaring springs, the source for all water used in Grand Canyon National Park. Stay overnight at Cottonwood Campground. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp anywhere below the rim overnight.

Three or more days Multi-day backpacking trip Try one of the following multi-day hikes:

North Kaibab Trail all the way to Phantom Ranch
Nankoweap Trail to Nankoweap Rapids and the cliff dwellings located near there.
North Bass Trail to Bass Rapids.
Thunder River and/or Bill Hall Trails to Thunder River and possibly even Tapeats Rapids and/or Deer Creek and Deer Creek Falls.

Time available	Activity	Comments
A few hours	Bright Angel Point	Walk the trail out to Bright Angel Point.
Point Imperial	Point Imperial is the highest point on either rim of the Grand Canyon and provides an incredible view of the surrounding area. An 11 mile (18 km) paved auto road connects Point Imperial to the lodging area.
A half day	Either or both of the above plus Cape Royal	Cape Royal is on the tip of an arm that sticks out into the Canyon and from that vantage point you get some incredible views of the inner canyon. A self guided nature trail leads you from the parking area to the tip of the cape. Another trail, which branches off of the trail to Cape Royal will take you to the Angel's Window, a natural stone arch that has been eroded away though a fin of rock which projects out into the Canyon. A 23 mile (37 km) paved auto road leads from the lodging area to Cape Royal. On your way to Cape Royal you may also stop at the Walhalla Overlook to view the Anasazi Indian ruin located there.
Attend a ranger program	Many ranger programs are presented throughout the day. These consist of nature walks, geology talks, children's programs, archeology tours, history talks and evening programs. Check your copy of THE GUIDE for the NORTH RIM for exact times and locations.
One day	Any all of the above plus a short hike	Hike along the rim on the Widforss or Uncle Jim Trails. If you are feeling really adventurous try hiking down the North Kaibab Trail to the Coconino Overlook or the Supai Tunnel.
Two days	Take a longer hike	Hike down the North Kaibab Trail to Roaring springs, the source for all water used in Grand Canyon National Park. Stay overnight at Cottonwood Campground. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp anywhere below the rim overnight.
Three or more days	Multi-day backpacking trip	Try one of the following multi-day hikes: North Kaibab Trail all the way to Phantom Ranch Nankoweap Trail to Nankoweap Rapids and the cliff dwellings located near there. North Bass Trail to Bass Rapids. Thunder River and/or Bill Hall Trails to Thunder River and possibly even Tapeats Rapids and/or Deer Creek and Deer Creek Falls.

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