Est. 1919 | Arizona | 1,201,647 acres

Grand Canyon

It is probably safe to say Grand Canyon National Park needs no introduction. As a premier destination of the National Park Service, the park is recognized worldwide as a natural wonder and cultural treasure. Essentially an inverted mountain range, Grand Canyon dives 6,000 feet down to the Colorado River offering geological glimpses into the history of the earth with unprecedented erosion. From rim to river, Grand Canyon preserves 11 ancestral tribal homelands and covers a range of ecosystems supporting life at all levels. From endless hiking and canyoneering to rafting and horseback riding, Grand Canyon is a southwest playground for the adventurous.

Water is everything in Grand Canyon National Park. From creation to recreation, the Colorado River defines the canyon experience. Running 277 miles westward through the park to the Pacific Ocean, the river forms two districts: the more popular South Rim and the quieter North Rim. Though they are separated by only 12 miles of open canyon, the drive between rims is more than 200 miles around. More developed, the South Rim grants better views of the river and canyon below from its steeper drop-offs, while 1000 feet higher the North Rim sits on the cooler Kaibab Plateau with a more gradual descent to the river.

The South Rim’s main thoroughfare, Desert View Drive skirts along the edge of the canyon from the South Entrance to the East Entrance providing ample opportunities to park and view different angles of the canyon’s interior. The North Entrance approaches Bright Angel Point from Highway 67. Several offshoot roads lead to various trailheads and viewpoints along the North Rim.

Must-see highlights in Grand Canyon

Bright Angel Trail—With nearly 40 switchbacks winding down into the canyon, Bright Angel Trail is one of the most photogenic and popular hiking routes on the South Rim. The trail is 7.5 miles one way to the river’s edge, but most hikers typically go to the Havasupai Gardens (4.5 miles) or the Plateau Point (6.3 miles) as day hikes. The trail is well-maintained, with resthouses and water stations along the way, though it is still challenging due to the steep descent and ascent. Park staff strongly advise against attempting a day hike to the river and back as the ascent back is deceitfully harder than most hikers anticipate, especially in the summer months when heat indexes can soar above 100˚F at the bottom. Come prepared with plenty of water and food.
Ooh Ahh Point—With a shorter descent, South Kaibab Trail on the South Rim also leads to the canyon floor. But for those not able to reach the bottom, Ooh Ahh Point, 1 mile from the trailhead offers gorgeous immersive canyon views. Consider hiking this at sunrise for stunning lightplay on rock walls and spires in the canyon.
Phantom Ranch—The termination point for both Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail is Phantom Ranch, a stockyard and campground along the Colorado River nestled in cottonwood trees beneath dramatic canyon walls. Established in 1922, Phantom Ranch is the only lodging available at the canyon’s bottom and offers a unique experience for those wanting to stay overnight during a hike or rafting trip.
Desert View Watchtower—Built in 1932, this watchtower near the East Entrance was designed by architect Mary Colter to resemble Native American structures while providing a vantage point for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the canyon, the Colorado River, and the surrounding desert landscape. Visit this landmark late in the day for gorgeous golden hour colors in the canyon.
Bright Angel Point—Located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Point offers breathtaking panoramic views of the canyon, including a great view of Bright Angel Canyon and the Colorado River far below. The point is accessible via a short, 0.5-mile paved trail starting from the Bright Angel Point Trailhead near the North Rim Visitor Center. Sunset at Bright Angel Point is breathtaking as evening light hits Brahma Temple and Zoroaster Temple, two white-capped rock formations to the east.

Best time to visit Grand Canyon

Spring (March to May): Springtime in the canyon is ideal as crowds are low and temperatures are pleasant ranging from 50ºF to 75ºF on the South Rim. Foliage on the rims and in the canyon is blooming under warmer weather and increasing rain showers. The North Rim, closed during the winter months, usually reopens in May when snow is cleared from the highway.

Summer (June to August): Summer is the busiest and hottest season in Grand Canyon National Park. With many tourists on vacation, lodging and quotas fill up quickly. Temperatures on the rim top off around 90ºF while temperatures down at the river can easily reach over 100ºF. Early summer sees frequent afternoon thunderstorms roll in with moisture from the south. Seated lower in elevation, the South Rim will tend to experience more thunderstorms than the North Rim.

Fall (September to November): Like spring, autumn is a pleasant time to visit. With summer crowds tapering off, trails and viewpoints quiet down, lodging is more accessible and wildlife resurges more active. Cottonwoods, aspens and gambel oak turn gold and auburn, transforming the park into an autumn paradise. Colors begin to change mid-September in the upper elevations working down to lower elevations in early November. October is usually the peak of fall foliage in Grand Canyon.

Winter (December to February): Winter is the least crowded time of year, making it the best season for solitude. Even though the North Rim closes down mid-October through May much of the South Rim is still operational and accessible when plowed. Lodges and campgrounds in Grand Canyon Village are often cheaper in the off-season. Most, if not all trails on the southern rim are open, though expect them to be icy. The secret to escaping wintertime conditions in Grand Canyon is to descend into the warmer climates. While the rim may be snowy and cold, the lower elevations at the canyon floor can warm to 60ºF under sunny skies.

How long should I visit Grand Canyon?

Though 2 days would hit all the easy-access highlights, an ideal trip to Grand Canyon National Park would last 3–4 days. This allows time for sightseeing along the South Rim, day hiking into the canyon and an excursion to the North Rim, catching all the highlights of the park. However, with countless trails and viewpoints dispersed all along the canyon, a longer trip will most certainly be worth the time, allowing a night at Phantom Ranch, an additional day exploring the North Rim or a pack rafting trip down the Colorado River. No matter how long you spend at Grand Canyon, there is always more to see and do. A single trip is never enough to fully encapsulate the complexity and immensity of this park.

Getting to Grand Canyon

With three park entrances (south, east and north), the approach depends on your destination. If wanting to visit the South Rim from the west, simply follow I-40 and turn north on Route 64, a straight shot to Grand Canyon Village and the South Entrance. From the east, take I-40 to Flagstaff and head north on Route 180 which dovetails into Route 64 leading to the South Entrance. From the north, drop down on Highway 89 and turn west on Route 64 at Cameron. This will lead to the East Entrance and Desert View Drive along the south rim.

To approach the North Rim, look for Highway 89A, a scenic bypass for Highway 89 (turn at Bitter Springs if coming from the east and turn at Fredonia if coming from the west). Highway 89A will intersect the town of Jacob Lake. From here, turn south on Grand Canyon Highway 67, leading to the North Entrance.

If flying in from afar, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) in Flagstaff is the closest commercial airport at only 1.5 hours away from the park but can be rather expensive. Alternative flight options from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) are half the price but are more than twice the distance away. It all comes down to a matter of time or money.

Where to stay in Grand Canyon

There are 8 lodges and 6 campgrounds operating within Grand Canyon National Park boundaries:

South Rim

Bright Angel Lodge: 90 hotel-style rooms and cabins
El Tovar Hotel: 78 hotel-style rooms and 12 suites
Kachina Lodge: hotel-style rooms
Thunderbird Lodge: hotel-style rooms
Maswik Lodge: 280 hotel-style rooms
Yavapai Lodge: over 300 hotel-style rooms
Mather Campground: 327 campsites (year round)
Trailer Village RV Park: about 80 full hookup sites (year round)
Desert View Campground: 50 campsites (April–October)
Tusayan-Montane Campground: 160 campsites (May–September)

North Rim

Grand Canyon Lodge: rooms and cabins (May–October)
North Rim Campground: 87 campsites (May–October)
DeMotte Campground: 38 campsites (May–October)

Canyon Floor

Phantom Ranch: flexible cabins and dorms (year round)

When should I book?

Grand Canyon accommodations fill up extremely fast, especially affordable, popular options like Mather Campground, Phantom Ranch and Yavapai Lodge. Most lodges accept reservations 13 months in advance and recommend booking 1 year ahead. Most campgrounds accept reservations 5 or 6 months in advance. It is best to be prepared to book your stay when reservations open.

How much should I budget?

A 3-day trip booked 6 months in advance can cost roughly $500–$700 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Las Vegas	$100–$300
Roundtrip Airfare to Flagstaff	$300–$600
Car Rental	$40–$70/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$18–$79/night (not including taxes/fees)
Lodges	$150–$350+/night
Meals	$10–$40/meal
Entrance Fee	$35/vehicle for 7 days

Packing list for Grand Canyon

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Grand Canyon National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without camelback, hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, jacket and a headlamp (for long day hikes and stargazing).

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to the Grand Canyon.

For more detailed information on Grand Canyon National Park, visit the official park website.