Grand Canyon West
Things to Do at the West Rim in One Day
Grand Canyon West Viewpoints
Things to See & Activities
- Skywalk: Step over the side of the Grand Canyon onto a walkway elevated 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. See our Skywalk tours.
- Main terminal exhibits: Learn all about the land and the bands who inhabit it now and in the past.
- Zipline: Fly 500 feet over the canyon on a zipline.
- Outdoor Amphitheater: “Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (10:00am – 3:00pm)… enjoy the musical sounds and magical dances of the Hualapai Tribe.”
- Native American Village: Explore traditionally built structures and learn more about “local and regional tribal heritage and tradition” on a self-guided tour.
- Helicopter flights and floor landings: Many guided West Rim tours include helicopter flights over—or even to the bottom of—the Grand Canyon. Lunch on the Canyon floor may also be included.
- Boat rides: Some guided tours feature a leisurely Colorado River cruise on a pontoon boat.
- White water rafting: Grand Canyon West is home to the only single-day white water rafting tour of the Grand Canyon.
Shopping
- Skywalk Main Terminal: Featuring “Grand Canyon West, Sky Walk and Route 66 memorabilia, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and postcards”
- Native American Flea Market at Guano Point: “Offering handcrafted creations sold directly by local Hualapai and other Native American artisans”
- Creations by Native Hands Gift Shop at the Indian Village at Eagle Point: “Offers a variety of souvenirs from t-shirts and hats to handcrafted jewelry and weavings made by the Hualapai, Hopi and Mojave tribes”
Dining Options
- Sky View Restaurant
Browse our Guided Grand Canyon West Rim Tours
Grand Canyon South Rim
One of the National Park Service’s crown jewels, the South Rim is usually what people think of when they imagine the Grand Canyon. It’s within driving distance of several cities, including Las Vegas and Phoenix (approximately 4.5-5 hours drive each way).
The South Rim offers one of the most accessible experiences of the canyon, with a number of different tour options and a wide range of NPS activities at the park. Like the West Rim, the South Rim remains open year-round.
Things to Do at the South Rim in One Day
Viewpoints easily accessed from Grand Canyon Village:
NOTE: It is an approximately one hour hike from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to Yaki Point. If you would prefer not to hike, the Kaibab Rim Route (Orange) Shuttle Bus has stops that include Mather Point, the visitor center, and Yaki Point. Ooh Aah Point is a further 45 minute hike from Yaki Point.
Viewpoints accessible via Hermit Road:
- Maricopa Point
- Powell Point
- Hopi Point
- Mohave Point
- The Abyss
- Pima Point
NOTE: The Hermit Road Shuttle Bus (Red Route) runs between March 1 and November 30, but it is open to personal vehicles between November and March. It is approximately a 2.5 hour hike from Kolb Studio in the Village to Pima Point, so if you plan to hike, we recommend taking a shuttle bus one way in order to get in everything you want to see.
Viewpoints accessible via Desert View Drive:
- Pipe Creek Vista
- Shoshone Point
- Duck on a Rock Viewpoint
- Grandview Point
- Moran Point
- Lipan Point
- Navajo Point
- Desert View
NOTE: There is currently no shuttle bus route between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Watchtower, and the distances between these viewpoints are significantly further apart—a hike between Yaki Point and Navajo Point is approximately 7 hours. A private vehicle is required to explore both Grand Canyon Village or Hermit Road and reach the viewpoints beyond Duck on a Rock Viewpoint in a single day.
Things to See & Activities
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Theater: Home to a range of indoor and outdoor exhibits, as well as a 20 minute movie Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder.
- Yavapai Point & Geology Museum: Offers geology exhibits (including a large topographic relief map), park ranger programs, and an incredible view of the Canyon through picture windows. Learn more.
- Trail of Time: From the NPS: “Along the timeline trail are a series of rocks and exhibits that explain how Grand Canyon and its rock formed. Each meter walked on the timeline trail signifies one million years of the canyon’s geologic history.” Learn more.
Shrine of the Ages: Here you’ll find ranger programs and special activities that change periodically, including lectures, concerts, and demonstrations. Learn more. - Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery: For those with an interest in history or the macabre, there’s the pioneer cemetery—the final resting place to many historically significant figures, including one of the Kolb brothers.
- Verkamp’s Visitor Center: Ranger-led history walks and historical exhibits.
- Hopi House: One of many structures designed by Mary Colter, Hopi House is “modeled after the 1,000 year-old pueblo dwellings of the Hopi village in Old Oraibi”.
- Lookout Studio: Another structure designed by Mary Colter, Lookout Studio was built in 1914 to act as a perfect lookout spot for visitors to view and photograph the canyon.
- Kolb Studio: Be sure to check out the historic Kolb Studio, built in 1906 by the Kolb brothers. While here, visit the history and art exhibits. Some exhibits change periodically—check the NPS website to see what’s on now.
- Hiking: There are five day-hiking trails at the South Rim that range in difficulty from easy (Rim Trail) to difficult (Hermit or Grandview Trail). Keep in mind that many of these hikes (with the exception of Rim Trail, where you can easily exit) will use up a significant portion of the day.
- Airplane or helicopter flights: Some guided South Rim tours include airplane or helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon.
Shopping
- Grand Canyon Conservancy Park Store: The park’s largest gift shop and bookstore.
- Bright Angel Bicycles: Limited hiking supplies.
- Yavapai Geology Museum: A bookstore and gift shop.
- Yavapai Lodge Gift Shop: A selection of clothing, books, postcards and southwest gift items
- Kolb Studio: A bookstore and gift shop.
- Lookout Studio: Photography, postcards, rocks and minerals, jewelry and souvenirs.
- Bright Angel Lodge: Gift store with hiking supplies.
- El Tovar Hotel: Clothing, jewelry, and fine gifts.
- Hopi House: Offers a large selection of authentic Native American Handicraft items.
- Maswik Lodge: Books, postcards, t-shirts, Native American jewelry and gift items.
Learn more about the best Grand Canyon hotels.
Dining Options
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern
- El Tovar Dining Room
- El Tovar Lounge
- El Tovar Food Truck
- Bright Angel Bicycle Rental and Cafe
- Canyon Village Market
- Arizona Steakhouse
- Fred Harvey Burger
- Bright Angel Fountain
- Bright Angel Tavern
- Maswik Food Court and Pizza Pub
The Grand Canyon North Rim
Things to Do at the North Rim in One Day
Grand Canyon North Rim Viewpoints
- Bright Angel Point
- Point Imperial
- Cape Royal
- Roosevelt Point
- Vista Encantada
- Walhalla Overlook
Learn more about Grand Canyon North Rim viewpoints.
While they will make your drive slightly longer, there are also some impressive sights to see on the drive in. Check out:
- Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
- Kaibab National Forest
- Kaibab Plateau High Point
Things to See & Activities
- Visitor Center: Offers daily ranger programs and exhibits.
- Hiking: There are several day-hiking trails available at the North Rim, including some around or under half an hour (such as Roosevelt Point Trail, Cape Royal Trail, and Bright Angel Point Trail).
Shopping
- GC Conservancy Park Store: Offers a range of books, maps, DVDs, and gifts.
- Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop: Grand Canyon souvenirs, clothes and accessories.
Dining Options
- The Lodge Dining Room
- The Deli in the Pines
- The Rough Rider Saloon
