Activities at the Grand Canyon, USA

Activities at the Grand Canyon, USA

To make your visit as easy as possible, we've rounded up the best things to do in the Grand Canyon - one of America's greatest attractions

A trip to the Grand Canyon can be overwhelming, not only because of the incredible views, but also because of the sheer selection of activities, hikes, trails, and viewpoints.

To make your visit as easy as possible, we've rounded up the best things to do in the Grand Canyon during your trip. Note that numbers 1-4 can be completed in a single day, but you will need several days if you want to complete the rest.

Where

The first thing you need to understand is that Grand Canyon National Park is separated into the South Rim and North Rim by a mile-deep canyon. Although the average distance through the canyon is only 10 miles, it takes approximately five hours to drive the 215 miles between the park's South Rim Village and North Rim Village. So if you have limited time, you have to choose between the two.

North Rim is quieter, but also higher, colder, and closed seven months of the year (from mid-October to mid-May). South Rim is the Grand Canyon you see in movies and magazines. It is more developed and offers more choice. We therefore recommend the South Rim to first-time visitors.

When to go

November to February is the quietest time on the South Rim, but note that it is colder so bring lots of layers.

Things to do

1. Mather-Punkt

From the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, walk five minutes to Mather Point for your first look at the Grand Canyon. The view is incredible, so take a moment to take in the glory. But don't stay here too long. It will likely be crowded with tourists wanting to take their first snapshots of the gorge.

Instead, walk another five minutes to one of the unofficial viewpoints. There you can enjoy unobstructed views of the gorge without fighting for space.

alt=”Mather Point is one of the things to do at the Grand Canyon”>Mather Point offers your first tantalizing view of the canyon…but beware of the crowds

1. Yavapai-Geologiemuseum

From Mather Point, walk another 15 minutes to the Yavapai Geology Museum and Overlook. There you will learn about the incredible history and unique geology of the canyon.

A small model of the gorge allows visitors to get their bearings and figure out what they want to see next. The museum offers amazing views of the canyon, albeit behind glass windows.

alt=“Things to do in the Grand Canyon”>Unofficial overlooks on the way to Yavapai offer unobstructed views without crowds

1. Felgenspur

From Yavapai, you can join the Rim Trail, which stretches 13 miles along the rim of the canyon, stopping at overlooks like Maricopa Point and Hopi Point and ending at Hermit’s Rest.

The trail is mostly flat and relatively easy at an elevation of 60m, but if you get tired you can hop on and off the free shuttle buses that run in both directions. Of course, there is no expectation of going the entire way and you can turn back at any time.

1. Desert View Drive

Located 22 miles east of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Desert View offers breathtaking views of the canyon, especially at sunset (main image). Shuttle buses do not run through Desert View, so it is best to drive.

The second main attraction after the canyon is the 70-foot-tall Desert View Watchtower, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Designed in 1932 to resemble ancient pueblo towers, it offers 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.

alt=“The Desert View Watchtower is one of the attractions in the Grand Canyon”>The Desert View Watchtower offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape

1. Tageswanderung

If you're looking for something more challenging than the Rim Trail, take a day to complete the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail.

Bright Angel is a steep trail and has three stops: 1.5 mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip, 2-4 hours, 2,000 ft. elevation) 3 mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip, 4-6 hours, 2,000 ft. elevation) Indian Garden (9.2 miles round trip, 6-9 hours, 3,000 ft. elevation)

South Kaibab is slightly shorter, also with three stops. Note that you cannot drive to the trailhead. Take a free shuttle bus instead. Take plenty of water with you as none is available on this hike. Ooh Ahh Point (1.8 miles round trip, 1-2 hours, 600 ft. elevation) Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip, 2-4 hours, 1,000 ft. elevation) Skeleton Point (6 miles round trip, 4-6 hours, 2,000 ft. elevation)

alt=“A day hike is one of the things to do in the Grand Canyon”>Take a day hike to enjoy the beautiful views of the canyon

1. Hubschrauberrundflug

This is a stunning way to see the gorge (albeit annoying for local visitors). If you have the budget, don't miss out on an aerial tour of the park. Book at grandcanyonhelicoptersaz.com, maverickhelicopter.com or papillon.com. Note that scenic flights depart from the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, Arizona, outside the park's southern rim.

1. Havasu-Fälle

The vibrant blue waters of Havasu Falls appear like a mirage against its striking red rock. The falls plunge nearly 100 feet into a wide pool of blue-green water that sits next to a sandy beach and plenty of shade. Located nearly 50 miles west of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the falls are reached via a strenuous 8-mile hike. So don't visit if you don't plan to spend the night in a tent. Also note that the falls are on tribal lands, so you will need a hiking permit: havasupai-nsn.gov.

1. Rafting auf dem Colorado River

The Colorado flows through the heart of the canyon. For a unique view of this mighty river, book a rafting day trip and travel 15 river miles from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry (March to November): raftthecanyon.com.

alt=“The Mighty Colorado River “>The Mighty Colorado River

For longer rafting trips (3 to 19 days), one of the following companies should be able to help: riveradventures.comazraft.comraftarizona.comcanyonexplorations.comcanyoneers.comcrateinc.comgrandcanyondiscovery.comgcex.comgrandcanyonwhitewater.comhatchriverexpeditions.commokimac.comoars.comoutdoorsunlimited.comtwriver. comwesternriver.com

1. Grand Canyon-Eisenbahn

Book Grand Canyon Railway tickets to see the park in a unique way. The train departs Arizona's Williams Depot daily at 9:30 a.m. and travels north to the South Rim, arriving at 11:45 a.m. The 65-mile journey takes visitors through the forests of Grand Canyon Country, where they can spot elk, mountain lions, mule deer, squirrels and skunks, as well as a range of bird species and plants. The train leaves the park at 3:30 p.m. and returns to Williams at 5:45 p.m. Visit thetrain.com for tickets and information.

1. Skywalk

Located west of Grand Canyon National Park, this glass walkway juts out over the edge of the Hualapai Indian Reservation and offers breathtaking views of the vistas below. Unfortunately, it's quite a distance from both the North Rim and South Rim (around 170 miles) and costs a whopping $75 per person, so it may not be feasible for the average visitor. It is managed by the local Hualapai Tribe, so reservations must be made directly with them: grandcanyonwest.com or havasupai-nsn.gov. Also note that visitors cannot bring cameras or video equipment and are instead encouraged to purchase from the official Skywalk photographers for $20 each.

alt=“Skywalk is one of the things to do”>We skipped the Skywalk because of the distance and price, but it is undoubtedly a breathtaking experience (Image: youtube.com)

How to get there

For the South Rim: From the south, exit I-40 at Williams, Arizona and go north on Highway 64, or exit US 180 in Flagstaff and follow it to the intersection with Highway 64; Turn north and follow it to the south entrance of the park. From the north, take US Highway 89 or 160 to Highway 64 in Cameron, Arizona. Head west on 64 to the park's east entrance.

For information about other transportation or access to the North Rim, see the National Park Service instructions.

Admission to the park is $25 per private vehicle or $12 per pedestrian, motorcyclist or cyclist. The pass is valid for seven days and includes both rims. Pay fees at park entrance stations.
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