Top Places at Grand Canyon’s South Rim
Table of Contents
From the Rim Trail to Hermits Rest, here are the top places at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim for hiking, sightseeing, dining, and lodging.
During the summer, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon can feel like New York’s Grand Central Terminal with people coming and going. It is, after all, an icon of the American Southwest. Some visitors stare at the horizon in wonder as they reach the edge, while others turn and move on to their next destination. Still, others dedicate time to explore this marvel. The canyon reminds me of a colorful striated blanket, one marked with long, thin parallel streaks that mimic the colors of the desert. After visiting the Grand Canyon more than a handful of times over the years, its beauty still leaves me breathless. There is a lot of ground to cover, so here are the top places to visit on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
Grand Canyon National Park in a Nutshell
The Colorado River started carving the Grand Canyon nearly 2 billion years ago, and the first human artifacts found in Grand Canyon National Park date back 12,000 years. To date, the canyon measures 18 miles wide, one mile deep, and 277 river miles long. Grand Canyon National Park spans over 1.2 million acres and consists of two parts: the South Rim, open year-round, and the North Rim, a seasonal summer destination.
Grand Canyon South Rim. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon National Park, Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Hualapai Indian Reservation, Havasupai Indian Reservation, and the Navajo Nation surround the canyon in Northern Arizona.
What to See in 2 hours in Grand Canyon National Park
It is possible to enjoy a quick trip to the Grand Canyon. Although you won’t see nearly enough, here is what you can do:
- Head to the Main Visitor Center after parking in nearby lots.
- Hike to Mather Point to see the Canyon.
- Take the Shuttle to Historic Grand Canyon Village and walk around the Historic Buildings.
Many visitors take a photo at the entrance sign. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
What to See Around the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Area
The Visitor Center is one of the top places at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. First-time visitors stop as it is the first destination closest to the main parking lot. Go inside and explore the Visitor Center to learn more about the Grand Canyon through its interpretive film or displays. Grab a map, and ask a ranger for more information or suggestions on hiking trails. If traveling with kids, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet to complete for a cool badge. The booklet helps to hit the highlights of the Grand Canyon. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. During busy times, you might find a staffed information desk nearby.
Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Park Store sells Grand Canyon books and gifts. If the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is closed, then pick up maps and Junior Ranger booklets and stamp your passport book inside. The store, located across from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The first stop for many visitors is the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Biking at the Grand Canyon National Park
Want to see the Grand Canyon on a bike? Find rental bikes at Bright Angel Bicycles, next to the Visitor Center. All bike sizes (including e-bikes), helmets, and trailers are available.
The Rim Trail is off-limits for bikes, though the Grand Canyon offers a paved greenway trail open to all. Additionally, the road to Hermits Rest is closed to private vehicles from March until the end of November and is an incredible route for families on wheels. Bright Angel Bicycles offers guided tours.
Bike rental is available near the main Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Mather Point
Follow the signs to see the Grand Canyon and pick up the Rim Trail to Mather Point (.7-miles from the parking lot). This area might be crowded, especially during the summer season.
Mather Point at the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy Xanterra
Rim Trail
Along the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, the Rim Trail travels from South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermit’s Rest, 13 miles in total. The predominantly paved trail is fantastic, but if you get tired, you can catch the free South Rim Shuttle at any one of the stops along the way.
Yavapai Point
Also along the Rim Trail, the Yavapai Point area offers the Yavapai Geology Museum, open 8 am to 6 pm daily, with an enclosed area to view the canyon. Learn about the rock layers that form the striated colors of the canyon. It’s a .7-mile hike from Mather Point and a shuttle stop.
Trail of Time
Along the Rim Trail, a special section called the Trail of Time explains the geological significance of the Grand Canyon. This 2.83-mile section offers interpretive signs and moves down into the canyon, describing each layer as hikers move west. The Trail of Time starts at the Yavapai Geology Museum and continues to the Grand Canyon Village. It is relatively level and paved.
Trail of Time geologic rim trail. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
What to See at the Historic Grand Canyon Village
The Grand Canyon Village is the original center of activity and is now a historic district and home to most lodging and dining along the South Rim. If traveling with kids, they might not be interested in the historical aspects of the area, though the train station, the Bright Angel Lodge (including its ice cream cart), and the Hopi House might be of interest.
Verkamp Visitor Center
Built in 1906 by the Verkamp family, the Verkamp Visitor Center served as a curio shop for decades. Now it’s a smaller visitor center located in the Grand Canyon Village and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. Get information, maps, and Junior Ranger program information at the Verkamp Visitor Center.
Hopi House
Dating back to 1905, architect Mary Colter designed the Hopi House to resemble a traditional Hopi structure. It is one of the top places on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Located in the Grand Canyon Village, it opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Find traditional arts and crafts from the Hopi People for sale inside.
Hopi House. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Kolb Studio
Kolb Studio, situated on the rim, began as a small house in 1906 and evolved. The Kolb brothers, turn-of-the-century photographers, used this building as a studio and a home. Now, you can see the Kolb brothers’ work and other Grand Canyon exhibitions in the park from 8 am to 6 pm.
Lookout Studio
The Lookout Studio, built in 1914, is made of rock. Mary Colter designed it to blend in with the environment. Check out the view and consider buying stones and fossils as souvenirs. Lookout Studio is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Lookout Studio. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Depot
Before road tripping, visitors arrived at the Grand Canyon by train. Crafted of logs in 1910, the Grand Canyon Depot is one of only three remaining log depots. It is one of the top places to visit at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
Grand Canyon Depot. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon Railway train is in the station from 11 am to 3 pm and offers daily departures from Williams, Arizona, along Interstate 40.
Grand Canyon Railway makes its way through the trees toward the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Railway
Use the Shuttle to Discover Top Places at Grand Canyon’s South Rim
While exploring the Grand Canyon, consider using its free shuttle. It’s color-coded and easy to use.
- The Blue (Village) Route travels from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to the Market Plaza to the Historic Village. It operates year-round from 4 am to 11 pm.
- The Orange (Kaibab Rim) Route heads west from Yavapai Point to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, passing the Kaibab trailhead to Yaki Point. It operates year-round from 4 am to 30 minutes past sunset.
- The Red (Hermits Road) Route departs near the Bright Angel Trailhead and travels to Hermits Rest. This road is closed to private vehicles from March 1 to November 30 and is only accessible by shuttle, private tour, bike, or on foot. This shuttle operates from 4 am to 30 minutes past sunset.
- The Purple (Tusayan) Route is for those staying in the gateway community outside the park. It stops at four points in the town before heading to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. It operates from 8 am to 9:30 pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Before entering any shuttle bus, you must have a valid Grand Canyon Entrance Pass. You can purchase passes in Tusayan at the National Geographic Visitor Center (IMAX Theater).
Popular points on the South Rim have limited parking: the most parking is found at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
Save time and use the Grand Canyon Shuttle. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Desert View Area
Along Desert View Drive, heading east from the Visitor Center, you will pass Pipe Creek Vista, South Kaibab Trailhead (one of the trails into the canyon), Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, and finally, Desert View. Each offers a different spectacular view.
Desert View Watch Tower. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Mary Colter used Native American architecture for inspiration in her 1932 Desert View Watchtower; the stone tower is 70 feet tall and sometimes features cultural demonstrations. Many consider the Desert View Watchtower her Grand Canyon masterpiece, even more than Hermits Rest and Bright Angel Lodge.
The Desert View area boasts a ranger station, general store, deli, bookstore, and gas station. The Tower is open daily from 8 am and 6 pm. The South Kaibab Trailhead is an endpoint for the Rim Trail (pedestrian only). The Greenway Trail continues along the rim (open to bikes).
The Tusayan Ruins are in this area. Explore the remains of an ancient Puebloan village and find a kiva with interpretive signs. The museum is closed at this time.
Hermits Rest
Hermits Rest is west of the Historic Grand Canyon Village. From the Village, the Hermits Road shuttle will stop at various viewpoints, including Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mojave Point, The Abyss, The Monument Creek Overlook, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest. Each offers a view of the canyon, and Hopi Point has restrooms.
In the winter you can relax by the fireplace at historic Hermit’s Rest. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose
Mary Colter designed Hermits Rest, built in 1914, to resemble a miner’s cabin with part of the structure buried in the earth. The cabin features a massive fireplace, made of local stone, and a porch overlooking the canyon.
Hermits Rest is the endpoint for the Rim and Greenway Trails running along the rim. The Hermits Trailhead leading into the canyon is nearby (it is not a day hike). Hermits Rest is the last stop of the seasonal shuttle (March 1 to November 30). Here you will find restrooms, a limited food operation, and a gift shop open 8 am to 8 pm during the summer and 9 am to 5 pm during the winter.
Hermits Rest is seven miles from the Historic Grand Canyon Village. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Traveling with Kids or Pets
The Junior Ranger program guides families through the park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the patches the Park Rangers present after completing their booklets. Head to a visitor center for more information.
Junior Rangers at the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Leashed dogs are welcome at the Grand Canyon along the rim and in campgrounds. The National Park Service has a BARK Ranger program. Adhere to the principles, and pets can wear a snazzy tag on their collar (available for purchase in some gift shops).
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
At the Grand Canyon, dogs aren’t allowed on the shuttle bus or the trails below the canyon rim. However, service animals can assist their humans with guidance from the park rangers. Yavapai Lodge offers pet-friendly rooms on the South Rim. There is also a kennel at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
People of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon, covering half of Northern Arizona, has been home to many people. The Ancestral Puebloans were the first to live in the area thousands of years ago.
The Grand Canyon is a sacred place to all. The Hualapai People live on the southern side of the Grand Canyon. For 800 years, the Havasupai People have lived next to the Hualapai. The Hopi People and the Navajo People live east of the canyon.
The Spanish conquistador García Lopez de Cárdenas saw the Grand Canyon in 1540. In the 1850s, the Mormon missionaries helped establish a ferry across the Colorado River at Lees Ferry.
John Wesley Powell explored the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon in 1869. In 1901 the Atkinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad arrived at the South Rim, spurring tourism.
The Fred Harvey Company and Mary Colter
The Fred Harvey Company opened restaurants and hotels alongside the railroads in the Western United States. The plan was to cater to train passengers in Kansas that traveled the Atkinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroads in the 1870s. Soon these stops became a standard in hospitality when traveling via train in the Southwest.
Railroads at that time developed the lodging and dining for many national parks. The Santa Fe Railroad and The Fred Harvey Company built several buildings along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Mary Colter, Fred Harvey Company’s architect from 1904 to 1949, designed notable buildings, like the Hopi House, the Bright Angel Lodge, Hermits Rest, and Desert Tower.
Front entrance of El Tovar circa 1922. Fred Harvey Photo courtesy of the Grand Canyon
Using design cues from the desert landscape, Colter wanted her buildings to look like each grew from its surroundings. At the time, this was a central element of the National Park Service and is known as the National Park Rustic style.
The CCC
Part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Program, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), worked on conservation projects across the U.S. In 1933, a group of young men arrived at the Grand Canyon. During their tenure, the CCC improved the Bright Angel trail and built rest houses along the route. They also constructed the stone wall along the canyon’s edge in the Grand Canyon Village National Historic Landmark District.
Top Places to Eat at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim
Pack a picnic lunch (or road trip snacks) and water for your trip to a national park, but if you don’t, several places along the South Rim sell food and snacks.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center—Find grab-n-go items and a coffee bar at Bright Angel Bicycle Rental and Cafe.
- Grand Canyon Market Plaza—Discover a deli and a well-stocked general store.
- Yavapai Lodge—Try out the Yavapai Lodge Restaurant, Yavapai Lodge Tavern, and a coffee shop.
Yavapai Tavern at the Grand Canyon.
- Maswik Lodge—Dine at the Mastik Food Court and Pizza Pub.
- Bright Angel Lodge—Discover the Arizona Steakhouse and the Fred Harvey Burger, which both offer dining rooms with sit-down service. Try the Bright Angel Tavern, which serves cocktails and light meals, or the Bright Angel Fountain, which sells coffee, and grab-and-go breakfast items. You’ll find drinks and ice cream in the afternoon.
- El Tovar—Explore the El Tovar Dining Room and El Tovar Lounge, the most refined dining along the South Rim. Make reservations for lunch and dinner; they are required.
Make reservations in advance and enjoy lunch or dinner at El Tovar. The views are spectacular, and the atmosphere takes you back to the early days of the lodge. Photo courtesy Grand Canyon Railway
- Desert View—Check out Desert View General Store and the Trading Post for coffee and ice cream.
- Hermits Rest—Pick up something at the snack bar.
Picnicking at Grand Canyon
Picnic tables abound at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Market Plaza, the Historic Village, Hermits Rest, Desert View, and along Desert View Drive.
Where to Stay at Grand Canyon National Park
Reservations are a must for lodging along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Find options to fit your budget and lodging requirements, from basic motel-type rooms to historic, individually decorated suites.
El Tovar Hotel
Charles Whittlesey designed the El Tovar Hotel, built in 1905, for the Atkinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad as the premier place to stay at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. El Tovar Hotel was named after Pedro de Tovar of the Coronado Expedition. He explored the desert southwest in 1540. The hotel boasts design themes from European chalets and villas that appealed to the late Victorian style of the time. Local limestone and Oregon pine were used to fashion: log walls, limestone arches, and Arts and Crafts furniture. The hotel is also a National Historic Landmark.
Most rooms at El Tovar Hotel are individually decorated. The rooms offer a king or a queen bed or a room with two queen beds. There are several suites available at El Tovar.
Check out the details as you wander through the El Tovar lobby. Photo courtesy Grand Canyon Railway
Look for the limestone and Oregon pine details on the ground floor and the large veranda. Day trippers will also discover a gift shop, dining room, and lounge.
The exterior of the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Note: Reservations are required for lunch and dinner at El Tovar. Rooms sell out far in advance, so book well ahead of your planned trip.
Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins
Bright Angel Lodge, designed by Mary Colter for the Fred Harvey Company, is another fabulous place to stay and a great historic building to wander through, even if you don’t stay overnight. The lodge’s brightly painted details stand out against the dark brown log details and stone exterior. The main lodge building, constructed in 1935, features the Geologic Fireplace with rock layers similar to the Grand Canyon walls. The building materials consist of logs, adobe, and local limestone. In addition, Colter used Native American motifs throughout Bright Angel Lodge. You’ll find several options at the Bright Angel Lodge for visitors who need a meal or snack, from seasonal ice cream and coffee bar to sit-down restaurants.
Bright Angel log cabins surround the main lodge building and offer full bathrooms and some feature rim views. It’s near the Bright Angel Trail and part of the Grand Canyon Village National Historic Landmark District.
Note: Most of the rooms and cabins at Bright Angel are one-bed rooms, so no doubles. Some lodge rooms share a bathroom. All rooms feature a coffeemaker and a mini-fridge.
Buckey O’Neil Cabin and Red Horse Cabin
Both from the 1890s, these are the oldest cabins along the South Rim and are reservable for overnight stays. Visitors can read about the early Grand Canyon days on plaques outside each cabin near the rim.
Yavapai Lodge
Yavapai Lodge, located near the Market Plaza area, is the largest lodging property on the South Rim. The lodge offers rooms with king or two queen beds and accessible (ADA) and pet-friendly rooms. Each room features a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and TV.
Maswik Lodge
Newly renovated, the Maswik Lodge has several buildings, Maswik Lodge North and Maswik South. The rooms feature one king or two queens with a mini fridge, coffeemaker, air conditioning, and TV. Some units offer kitchenettes.
Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge
Both designed in the late 1960s, the Kachina Lodge and Thunderbird Lodge each offer rim views and partial rim views. Rooms come with one king or two queen beds and all the modern conveniences like a mini fridge, coffeemaker, TV, and a full bath. Both lodges are good choices for families who want a standard hotel room conveniently located in the historic district.
Grand Canyon Camping
Camping at the Grand Canyon requires reservations year-round except in the winter at the Grand Canyon Village. The main campground features a dump station, hot showers, and a laundromat. You’ll find restrooms with flush toilets and potable water sinks throughout the campground.
- Mather Campground
- Year-round
- 258 sites with a 30-foot RV limit, 6 group sites
- Trailer Village RV Park
- Year-round
- Pull Through sites with full hookups with a vehicle limit of 50 feet.
- Desert View Campground near Desert View Tower
- Open from mid-April to mid-October
- No reservations accepted
- 50 sites with a 30-foot RV limit, no hookups.
- Potable water and flush toilets
Mather campground. Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park
Gateway Towns
You can choose a few gateway towns as your starting point for visiting the Grand Canyon.
Tusayan
This town is one mile long outside the south entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. It offers the most convenient lodging and dining outside the Grand Canyon Village. Also, Tusayan is a base for commercial tours and flightseeing operations.
Williams
Located along Interstate 40, Williams is a larger community than Tusayan, and it’s 53 miles south of the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance. Additionally, it’s the departure point for the Grand Canyon Railways.
Where’s the Grand Canyon?
Spend as little or as much time as you want. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. A 7-day private vehicle pass is $35; you can purchase a digital one at Recreation.gov.
The Grand Canyon is someplace visitors return to again and again. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
The South Entrance is the most popular gateway taking visitors through Tusayan. The Grand Canyon South Rim is 59 miles north of Williams, Arizona, on Highway 64. For the East Entrance, drive north from Flagstaff on U.S. Route 89 to Highway 64. This route is an excellent alternative to the South Entrance and provides a scenic drive along the rim from Desert View Watchtower to the Grand Canyon Village.
Note: The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is situated about four hours north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. So, contrary to popular opinion, it is not a great day trip from Phoenix. Instead, plan on spending a couple of days to allow for drive time, sightseeing, and traffic.
Make it a National Park Vacation. Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix (PHX) both have international airports. Grand Canyon National Park is 250 miles from Zion National Park, 280 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, and 200 miles from the Petrified Forest National Park. Las Vegas is about 274 miles from the Grand Canyon’s South Entrance, while Phoenix sits about 232 miles south.
Article Related to Top Places to Visit on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim
Exploring Top Places at Grand Canyon’s South Rim
Exploring the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Most people have seen photos their entire lives but don’t understand the massiveness and majesty of this natural wonder until they stand on the rim. It is quite a sight to behold. Do keep in mind these four essentials when planning to visit the Grand Canyon:
- Pack water and snacks for your trip—you will be going through arid land without water or amenities to reach the canyon
- Wear appropriate shoes and pack layers no matter the season—do not attempt even the paved trails with flip-flops
- Reservations are a must no matter where you are staying for most seasons
- Hiking into the Canyon is NOT a day hike—although it appears to be “only” 6.8 miles to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the roundtrip hike takes an average of 11 to 13 hours in highly strenuous conditions
Whether you visit the more isolated North Rim or the popular South Rim, the Grand Canyon is a magnificent place. Take precautions, plan your trip, and check out these top places at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Let Wander with Wonder be your guide to more Grand Canyon adventures, favorite national parks, other fantastic places in Arizona and the Southwest US.
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