15 Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
Renowned as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best National Parks in the U.S. for every type of traveler! I say this because whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, a trip to either the North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon truly has it all!
There’s everything from steep hikes that descend from the rim to the river, beautiful drive-up panoramic viewpoints, fine dining in the high-elevation forests of the Kaibab Plateau, and rafting that can extend for up to 280 miles (451 km) down the Colorado River! For all these reasons, those who visit the Grand Canyon can create any kind of experience they’re interested in having!
That said, there is a lot to consider when it comes to visiting Grand Canyon National Park, which largely depends on the time of year you plan to visit, due to the fact that the Grand Canyon is a place of extremes—meaning extreme seasonal changes. By this, I mean that there is everything from snow-covered trails in the winter to dangerously hot conditions in the summer, with temperatures that can—and will—impact road access, trail options, and even your safety.
This is why I highly recommend reading the section below, so that you can arrive with the best expectations regarding what to do, when to visit, and how to plan for each season—in order to make the most of your trip!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Grand Canyon National Park?
Unlike most U.S. National Parks, answering this question is tough in the Grand Canyon because it entirely depends on what you’re looking to do. This includes considering all things related to the high elevations on both the North and South Kaibab Plateaus, the elevation change from the rim to the Colorado River, winter snow, summer heat, among a number of other factors.
That said, one of the most important things that the National Park Service tells visitors is that temperatures at Phantom Ranch (the bottom of the Grand Canyon) feel like Phoenix! So, while it might feel beautiful and comfortable where you’re standing on the canyon rim, know that the elevation in the canyon, as well as the time of year, says a lot about when it’s safe to descend to the river, with mid to late May in the spring and mid-September to mid-October in the fall being the best times of the year to hike Rim to Rim.
This is because the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is not open year-round, meaning that visitors looking to experience the best temperatures throughout the canyon—while also beginning or ending at the North Kaibab Trailhead—will want to visit right when the North Rim opens in the spring or within the last month before it closes in the fall.
Furthermore, this same sentiment summarizes the answer to the question, because while snow in the canyon is truly spectacular and something to see, the North Rim is undoubtedly more beautiful than the South. This is why the best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park is late September to early October, before the North Rim closes for the season. This is when visitors can experience the beautiful fall colors that can only be found on the North Rim of the canyon, as well as enjoy the best and most comfortable hiking temperatures at all elevations of the park.
Hiking Checklist - Grand Canyon
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Grand Canyon National Park.
15 Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Ooh Aah Point (South Kaibab Trail)
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Elevation Change: 790 ft. / 241 m
In the 2019 National Geographic documentary Into the Grand Canyon, photographer Pete McBride said the term "grand" is too simple a word to describe the Grand Canyon, and if you make your way down to Ooh Aah Point for sunrise, it quickly becomes apparent why!
That said, the South Kaibab Trail is one of two routes on the South Rim of the canyon that make up the iconic Rim-to-Rim corridor, but just 0.9 miles (1.4 km) down the trail, visitors can hike to Ooh Aah Point, one of the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints across the entire South Rim—especially at sunrise!
To add to this point, sunrise is the only time of day I recommend hiking to Ooh Aah Point because of how busy the trail gets by midday throughout much of the year.
Read My Separate Post: Ooh Aah Point (South Kaibab Trail)
2. Rim Trail
Distance (One Way): 12.7 miles / 20.4 km
The Grand Canyon Rim Trail on the South Rim of the park is the best of the best when it comes to things to see and do in Grand Canyon National Park!
I say this because the Rim Trail is the hike that connects all the best and most beautiful viewpoints throughout Grand Canyon Village and beyond, which is why I think that hiking some or even all 12.7 miles (20.4 km) is easily one of the best things to do in the Grand Canyon!
On top of this, visitors can hike as much or as little of the Rim Trail as they please, because the Grand Canyon Shuttle allows hikers a free and convenient ride back to wherever they began from any number of shuttle stops along the way.
Read My Separate Post: Rim Trail
3. Hopi Point & Mohave Point (Sunset)
Both Mohave Point and Hopi Point are two of the best and most beautiful viewpoints on the 12.7-mile (20.4 km) Grand Canyon Rim Trail, as both are easily the two best places to catch sunset off Hermit Road!
Given that, deciding between the two can be challenging—but here are the most important things to consider.
Both Hopi and Mohave Point are beautiful west-facing viewpoints, but what sets Mohave Point apart is the view of the Colorado River. The river cannot be seen from Hopi Point, which is why Mohave Point is often a favorite for photographers.
However, Hopi Point offers a much wider, more expansive view, which is exceptionally beautiful in its own way, as the views away from the sun can be equally amazing on account of the changing colors within the canyon. This makes Hopi Point the better of the two viewpoints for taking photos in both directions, compared to Mohave Point, where photos are best taken to the west.
Finally, the last thing to consider is that Hopi Point will almost always be busier than Mohave Point, because everyone—from shuttle bus drivers to park staff—tells visitors that Hopi Point is the best shuttle stop off Hermit Road to watch the sunset. Now, I personally don’t think that’s a definitive statement, but it certainly is a fun debate!
Google Maps Directions: Hopi Point / Mohave Point
4. Rim to Rim Trail
Distance (South Kaibab to North Rim): 21.0 miles / 33.8 km
Distance (Bright Angel to North Rim): 23.5 miles / 37.8 km
Hiking from Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon is a renowned bucket list adventure for backcountry enthusiasts from around the world!
That said, what most don’t know is that simply securing overnight permits to camp within the canyon is one of the most competitive reservation processes within the National Park system—not to mention that the booking process isn’t very straightforward!
However, I’ve been fortunate to hike all three of the trails that make up the iconic Rim-to-Rim corridor, which is why I highly recommend reading all the details for each trail, as well as the best strategy to secure overnight permits, in either of my separate posts linked below.
Read My Separate Posts: Bright Angel to North Kaibab / South Kaibab to North Kaibab
5. Shoshone Point
Distance: 2.1 - 5.2 miles / 3.4 - 8.4 km
Among the countless viewpoints on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Shoshone Point is one of the hidden gems because it is one of the few that visitors cannot drive to directly.
This means that visitors have the option of hiking to Shoshone Point from one of two different directions, which you can compare side by side in either of my separate articles.
Read My Separate Posts: Shoshone Point Road / Shoshone Point Trail via South Kaibab
6. Grandview Point (Sunrise)
The Grandview Point on the South Rim of the canyon is a beautiful east-facing viewpoint that makes for a great drive-up location to catch sunrise, which is especially true because visitors are not allowed to park at the nearby Yaki Point.
The Grandview Point is also a great place to stop because it’s one of the few drive-up viewpoints in the park that allows visitors to appreciate the landscape that makes up the Kaibab Plateau, as the east-facing view toward Navajo Point shows where the elevation on the plateau descends out to Cameron and the Painted Desert beyond.
To visualize this better, areas to both the east and west of the main parts of the park drop dramatically in elevation. This is exactly why the Colorado River, at places like the Cathedral Wash Trail outside of Page, is more accessible.
However, it is because the elevations are so much higher in this part of the canyon that visitors get to enjoy the widest, deepest parts of the Grand Canyon—not to mention the cooler temperatures and the wildlife that come with being up this high!
Google Maps Directions: Grandview Point
7. Stay Inside Grand Canyon National Park
On both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, visitors can stay within the park, which is without a doubt the best and most enjoyable way to experience the park over a multi-day visit!
That said, there are seven different lodging options to consider, but of these, the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim and El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim are widely regarded as the best, with the Grand Canyon Lodge being the top choice between the two!
For those that are interested, know that reservations for the Grand Canyon Lodge are not easy to come by, and visitors should plan well in advance in order to secure a room. However, I can confidently say that the effort is worth the reward because everything—from dining on the canyon rim to watching the sunset and sunrise from your room to enjoying the beautiful, cool weather at 8,000 ft. (2,438 m)—makes for an unforgettable experience!
North Rim: Grand Canyon Lodge
South Rim: El Tovar Hotel / Kachina Lodge / Thunderbird Lodge / Bright Angel Lodge / Maswik Lodge / Yavapai Lodge
8. North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Recommending the entire North Rim is a bit vague, but I think it’s important to highlight because the vast majority of Grand Canyon visitors don’t make their way to the North Rim.
In fact, the National Park Service reports that just 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors come to the North Rim—which sounds crazy, considering that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, the best and most beautiful side of the park for a number of different reasons!
The first is that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is higher. It averages around 8,000 ft. (2,438 m) and above, compared to an average of 7,000 ft. (2,134 m) and often below on the South Rim. This makes the North Rim considerably cooler and more enjoyable throughout the hottest months of the year, when it is open from mid-May to mid-October.
The second reason is that the higher elevations on the North Rim of the canyon allow for Aspen trees to thrive—which is why Grand Canyon National Park is such a hidden gem when it comes to fall colors! Yes, it’s well-known that travelers from around the world flock to places like Acadia National Park to see the beautiful fall foliage, but have you ever heard someone say they’re headed to the Grand Canyon?—Exactly! As long as you time the season right—which tends to fall between the last week of September and the first week of October—you can enjoy amazing fall colors without the crowds of other popular destinations.
The third reason the North Rim is better is because this is where visitors can expect to see the best wildlife. Elk are commonplace across the South Rim, but on the North Rim, visitors can see Bison, Black Bears, Elk, and Mule Deer, to name just a few.
Finally, the last reason is simple: the crowds! Since only 10% of park visitors come to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, those who do can enjoy a very quiet and secluded stay compared to the South Rim and everything in and around Grand Canyon Village.
Google Maps Directions: Grand Canyon North Rim
9. Grand Canyon Train
The Grand Canyon Train, also called the Grand Canyon Railway, is a 65-mile (105 km) train ride from the historic town of Williams, Arizona, on Route 66 to the heart of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the park.
On the train, visitors will experience the beauty of northern Arizona as it climbs in elevation to the rim of the Grand Canyon through the vast Ponderosa forests of the South Kaibab Plateau!
For those interested, I highly recommend booking through Viator below because of their amazing reserve-now-pay-later policy, which allows for easy cancellation if needed.
10. Havasupai Trail
Distance (One Way to The Confluence): 16.7 miles / 26.9 km
Elevation Change: ~3,300 ft. (1,006 m)
For those that are familiar, you’re probably thinking that Havasupai is outside of Grand Canyon National Park. However, that’s only partially true, as much of the best and most beautiful parts of the Havasuapai Trail are in fact within Grand Canyon National Park!
This is why I feel that the Havasupai Trail is easily a recommendation worth making this list, and if you’re trying to decide between either a backcountry adventure on the Rim-to-Rim Trail or the Havasupai Trail, I’d say pick whatever you can land permits for!
I say this because both Rim to Rim and the Havasupai Trail are among the most challenging backcountry trails in Arizona to secure permits, which you can read about in extensive detail in both my separate Havasupai and Rim to Rim articles.
Read My Separate Post: Havasupai Trail
12. Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River
Rafting the Colorado River can range from a day trip to a multi-week adventure, navigating some 280 miles (451 km) from Lees Ferry just outside of Page to either Diamond Creek or Pearce Ferry, a short distance before the start of Lake Mead.
This is exactly why I placed this recommendation immediately after Havasupai—because visiting the exact location in the photo above, The Confluence, is possible on the longer rafting trips!
That said, day trips on the Colorado River are the most common way to enjoy the depths of the Grand Canyon, which depart from both Page and Flagstaff, Arizona, or as far away as Las Vegas.
13. Dripping Springs Trail
Distance: 6.4 miles / 10.3 km
Dripping Springs is a beautiful natural spring off the Hermit Trail that makes for the best day hiking destination below the canyon rim from Hermit’s Rest.
This is because both the Hermit Trail and Boucher Trail lead to some of the most remote areas within Grand Canyon National Park, but Dripping Springs is neither as far nor as deep below the rim.
For this reason, I highly recommend hiking the Dripping Springs Trail if you’re interested in having a quiet, less crowded experience beneath the rim, as opposed to much more popular South Rim adventures like Ooh Aah Point.
Read My Separate Post: Dripping Springs Trail
14. Yaki Point
Yaki Point is one of my favorite viewpoints on the South Rim because, for a number of reasons, it is one of the best places to catch the sunrise!
The first of these is that Yaki Point has amazing views of both the sunrise to the east and the colors lighting up within the canyon to the west. On top of this, sunrise at Yaki Point, combined with an early morning adventure on either the Rim Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, or the Shoshone Point Trail, is a great way to start the day in the park!
Just know before arriving that parking is not allowed at any point off Yaki Point Road and the South Kaibab Trailhead, meaning that the closest vehicles can park is at the Pipe Creek Vista parking area off Desert View Drive and the Rim Trail.
Google Maps Directions: Yaki Point
15. Private Grand Canyon Tour
I get it! I’ve been visiting the Grand Canyon since I was a little kid, which is why I can say from first-hand experience that the park can be overwhelming, with all there is to see and do.
This is exactly why local guides—from places as close as Flagstaff and Sedona, and even as far away as Las Vegas—can make for a great experience if you’d rather take the hassle out of planning, especially given the park’s challenging seasonal weather!
Why am I Recommending these Viator Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours because exploring hard-to-get-to areas, like the trails that descend below the rim, might not be the way you want to go. Therefore, the tour options I’ve listed are a safe and amazing way to experience the Grand Canyon and the greater area, and they offer the opportunity to discover nearby adventures that you may not have heard of otherwise!
10 Best Things to Do Near Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most conveniently located parks in the Southwest U.S. because, regardless of the direction you arrive from or travel to afterward, there are seemingly endless things to do within just a few hours of the park!
Therefore, I highly recommend extending your trip beyond Grand Canyon National Park to include some of the best places across both southern Utah and northern Arizona, such as Flagstaff, Page, Sedona, and Kanab, among countless other amazing National Parks!
1. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon, and everything that Page, Arizona has to offer, is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Grand Canyon Village and three hours from the North Rim!
That being said, one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is, which tour is better?
Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy both tours. So, if you’d like to read my honest side-by-side comparison about both canyons, I highly recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
2. Horseshoe Bend
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
One can’t talk about Page without mentioning the iconic Horseshoe Bend!
Horseshoe Bend is one of the best things to do in Page, Arizona, and it’s truly a must-see if you’re already making the trip to see Antelope Canyon.
That said, I personally love hiking the Horseshoe Bend Trail for sunset, as the west-facing viewpoint above the Colorado River is, without a doubt, one of the best year-round sunset hikes in northern Arizona!
Read My Separate Post: Horseshoe Bend Trail
3. Big Lake Sand Cave
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Going along with the previous two, the Big Lake Sand Cave is another hidden gem in Page, Arizona, as it’s located in a very unsuspecting location right on the edge of town.
To learn more, including my thoughts on the best time of day to visit the Shell Gas Station Cave, I recommend checking out my separate article below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Lake Sand Cave Trail (Shell Gas Station)
4. Williams, Arizona
Williams, Arizona, is known as the gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, but beyond just passing through as you exit I-40, I recommend stopping to walk around. There are amazing restaurants, great coffee shops, and one-of-a-kind boutiques along this small piece of Historic Route 66!
This is exactly where the next few recommendations come from, and it’s why I recommend searching Williams for places to stay when booking your Grand Canyon vacation!
Google Maps Directions: Williams, Arizona
5. Frontier Barbeque & Beer Garden
On a beautiful summer evening, there’s no better place to eat than Frontier Barbeque in downtown Williams!
They have amazing BBQ, great locally brewed beer, and often feature live music to enjoy while you eat and play games in the garden!
6. Anna’s Canyon Café & Goldies Route 66 Diner
When it comes to great breakfast diners, it’s difficult for me to choose between Anna’s Café and Goldies Diner in downtown Williams, Arizona.
I say this because both are truly great choices, but if you want that authentic Route 66 '50s diner feel, choose Goldies—you won’t be disappointed!
7. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, and everything there is to see and do within the beautiful Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, is only a 2-hour and 15-minute drive from Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.
That said, I’ve written a detailed guide covering the best things to see and do in Sedona—including the best sunrise and sunset hikes, hidden caves, and great places to eat—linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
8. Big E Steakhouse & Saloon
I’ve tried a lot of steakhouses on the road over the years, and across all my travels, Big E Steakhouse & Saloon in Tusayan, near Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, has been my number one pick of any place I’ve visited!
This is the ribeye—which, if you like a medium-cooked steak, is the best cut on the menu!
9. Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is often an overlooked destination between both the Grand Canyon to the east and the parks in Moab to the north, but it’s certainly not one to miss if you’re spending some time exploring northern Arizona.
I say this because Petrified Forest is known as the heart of the Painted Desert for good reason, and if you get out to explore some of what there is to see and do, I think you’ll see why this unique National Park is such a hidden gem!
Read My Separate Post: Petrified Forest National Park
10. Historic Route 66
Stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast of California, Route 66 was once known as the Mother Road of America!
However, almost all 2,448 miles (3,940 km) of the iconic road have either been taken over by the interstate system or lost to time, with the exception of a few segments, like the one from Kingman to Ash Fork in northern Arizona.
That said, I highly recommend taking a detour off I-40 if you’re flying into Las Vegas to visit the Grand Canyon, as this 102-mile (164 km) segment only adds 16 miles (25.7 km), or about 25 minutes of extra driving, to see this unique piece of American history!
Google Maps Directions: Hackberry General Store (Historic Route 66)
11. Shop Small Business National Park Gear
A few of my good friends based right outside of Zion National Park design their own National Park gear from parks around country.
My camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been my longest-standing camera strap that I’ve owned, and I encourage you to check them out over any of the overpriced souvenirs in or near Grand Canyon National Park.
Shop: WildTree
12. Arches & Canyonlands National Park
In this part of the country, everything can feel spaced out from one another, but the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and the parks in Moab are three places that make for a great roadtrip when put together!
That said, I recognize that it’s a bit unfair to recommend two National Parks as one suggestion, but I’ve written two entirely separate articles to break down my favorite things to do in either park, just as I have with Grand Canyon National Park.
Read My Separate Posts: Arches & Canyonlands National Park
13. Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park
Going along with the last recommendation, it’s impossible to talk about Grand Canyon National Park without mentioning Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, as both are commonly visited on the same trip when driving across Northern Arizona and southern Utah.
On that note, I have been visiting and revisiting Zion and Bryce Canyon for many years, just as I have with the Grand Canyon, which is why I believe the lists I’ve created about the both parks truly offer the best tips and recommendations you will find—especially when it comes to hiking the Angels Landing Trail and the Under-the-Rim Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Bryce Canyon National Park / Zion National Park
14. Moqui Sand Caves
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
If you’re looking for a place to get out of the summer heat, consider venturing north to Kanab to check out the beautiful Moqui Sand Caves just outside of Zion National Park.
In short, the Sand Caves are a quick, easy hike off the highway that I personally think are worth stopping to enjoy—especially if you’re interested in securing a permit for the nearby Wave!
Read My Separate Post: Moqui Sand Caves Trail
15. Cathedral Wash Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Cathedral Wash Trail in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of my top day hiking recommendations outside of Page and Grand Canyon National Park.
I say this because for those interested in hiking to the Colorado River, the Cathedral Wash Trail is much quicker and easier than either the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, or the North Kaibab Trail—granted that you are comfortable with some Class 3 scrambling, which you can see and learn about in more detail in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Cathedral Wash Trail
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
1. Visitation between both the North and South Rim will vary widely.
I talked about this throughout this article, but in the context of seeing fewer people, be prepared to be the only one—or only group—when hiking on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
I don’t say this to discourage exploring the North Rim, but to encourage preparation, as help may not be as readily available—much like on trails on the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, such as the Deadhorse Trail.
2. The North Rim has more day hikes than the South Rim.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is often criticized for its lack of day hikes on the rim itself, as many of the best things to see on the South Rim are actually located below the rim.
However, the North Kaibab Plateau on the other side of the Grand Canyon offers many more day hiking destinations than the South, making it ideal for those interested in spending more time outside and away from the crowds!
3. Wear sunglasses and a hooded sun shirt.
The harsh desert sun is nothing to take lightly over a multi-day visit to the Grand Canyon, which is why I recommend traveling with a hooded sun shirt, sunglasses, and good sunscreen—regardless of the season!
4. Temperatures vary widely between the canyon rims and the Colorado River.
I talked about this extensively in the beginning section about the best time of the year to visit because the time of year will largely dictate what you can and cannot do in Grand Canyon National Park.
By this, I mean that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only open from mid-May to mid-October because it sits roughly 1,000 ft. (305 m) to 1,200 ft (366 m) higher than the South Rim, meaning it holds snow for much longer.
Furthermore, the National Park Service reports that temperatures can vary by an average of 17°F (9.4°C) between the South Rim and the Colorado River, and by as much as 26°F (14.4°C) between the North Rim and the river.
This is important to remember because any trail down into the canyon will always feel light and easy. However, climbing back out of the canyon will always prove to be more challenging, both because of the uphill and the temperature differences!
5. Book your lodging as soon as you know your travel dates.
Places to stay both inside and outside of Grand Canyon National Park are not cheap, and for those inside the park, they often book up 6 to 12 months in advance!
That said, staying inside the park—especially at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim—is a must-do if you never have before!
As for places to stay in Tusayan, near Grand Canyon Village, they are also quite pricey during the busiest spring, summer, and fall travel months. However, Williams—about an hour’s drive south of Grand Canyon Village—can be a cheaper place to stay.
