Top Things to do in Grand Canyon National Park
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1. South Kaibab Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,687 reviews
One of the two superhighways into the Canyon, the other being the Bright Angel Trail, this path runs along a ridge offering stunning views. During the summer, visitors are advised to bring at least two quarts of water along because it can get very hot and the trail offers no shade.
Reviewed By Traveling007Texan
My son and I hiked down the South Kaibab Trail and spent the evening at Phantom Ranch before hiking up the Bright Angel Trail the next morning. Hiking the the S. Kaibab was relatively easy as it is downhill the entire way. THERE IS NO WATER so you must carry enough with you. We took 3 liters each and that was plenty. We made it in 4.5 hours taking our time at a steady pace without breaks. It is a beautiful trail with breathtaking views around every turn. I would recommend hiking down the South Kaibab and back up the Bright Angel, as it has water along the middle and upper trail. It's very hot in July but downhill all the way!
2. Grand Canyon North Rim
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,349 reviews
Word of mouth has that the more remote, harder to get to and therefore less crowded North Rim offers a more authentic Canyon experience and better views. However, there is no bus service on this rim and it is closed during the winter.
Reviewed By 751morganb - San Francisco, United States
A lot of people told us about the beauty of the North Rim. After a visit, we understood why. Words like spectacular and marvelous would not describe it good enough. At the same time, a lot of people told us this is worth a trip because of its remote location. We loved it, not because it was less crowded than the South Rim, but because of its beauty. When that is said, if you will not get the chance to go here, but will get the chance to visit the South or West Rim, we would say: GO! All places are amazing. If you visit the North Rim, make sure also to drive over to Cape Royal and stop on the way on the Walhalla overlook, Roosevelt Point overlook, Vista Encantada and Point Imperial. We also recommend to do the hikes Cape Royal Trail as well as Bright Angel Point.
3. Bright Angel Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,318 reviews
One of the two superhighways of the Grand Canyon, this well maintained and popular trail offers breathtaking vistas, some shaded areas.
Reviewed By 60Kelly - Sydney, Australia
We started the walk down at 5am knowing we'd be returning in the heat of the day. After 2.5hours we reached Indian Gardens, a luscious oasis on the canyon floor. We replenished our water bottles, ate snack and at 9am started off to the rest house about 4 miles back up the trail. The sun rose high in the sky,l shade became less and our pace slowed on the very steep climb up. we found any shade we could to take refuge and rehydrate although this slowed our return.. At the 3 mile rest house we found a little shade, slight breeze, and fresh water for our bottles, had another snack and wet our bandanas and hats and set off for the next resthouse 1.5 miles further up the trail. We found ourselves, along with many others, stopping every few hundred feet under any amount of shade. We drank more water and pushed on to the final resthouse 1.5miles from the rim to drink more water and cool down. By the time we reached the rim 10 hours after starting out we could barely put one foot after the other. So to anyone wanting to go down to the canyon floor I'd say do it, start as early in the day as possible if you go in summer, prepare well, take notice of all the warning signs about the hike, take plenty of water and snacks then enjoy the vistas on the way down, the welcoming Indian Gardens at the bottom and appreciate the friendships you will make on the way back up as you encourage each other to get back to the rim safely. It is definitely worth every step.
4. Grand Canyon South Rim
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23,049 reviews
The most developed area of Grand Canyon National Park, the South Rim offers amenities such as bus service, hotels and water stations, but is also more crowded than the North Rim. Scenic highlights include Pipe Creek Vista and Yavapai Point.
Reviewed By E9542BPjeffh - Toronto, Canada
Just came back from 3 days at the Grand Canyon. We did 3 wonderful tours, including the Sunset tour along the south rim to see the spectacular sunset on the canyon, the desert view tour to explore the native history, and the all day 4 by 4 inner rim tour from Williams down into the canyon to the Colorado river. What an experience....rugged beauty, hiking and wildlife....not to be missed in your lifetime!
5. Toroweap Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
Acrophobes may want to avoid this overlook, on the remote part of the North Rim, which provides awesome Canyon views from sheer cliffs nearly 3,000 feet high above the Colorado River.
Reviewed By tm212 - Grimes, United States
When fires closed the access to the north rim of the Grand Canyon we were forced to get creative. This is a dirt/gravel road for 61 miles. The road gets worse the last 13 miles and ridiculous the last 3 miles. In the last 3 miles you will need a 4WD with some ground clearance. Many reviews recommend "high clearance" without saying what that mean. We drove a Toyota Highlander with a 8.1" ground clearance. We did fine with some creative driving across the boulders. Some of the reviews said that they did the drive in vehicles with as little as 5.1" of ground clearance which I wouldn't suggest. Lastly, check the weather before you go. Don't go if rain is in the forecast, When you get the restroom at the end park there if you can find a space. Just kidding, you'll likely be the only ones there. We only encountered five cars on the 122 mile round trip. Anyhow leave your vehicle by the restroom stop. If you drive down to the picnic tables you will likely bottom out. Just look at the scrapes on the rocks. This is a far different experience than the crowded South and North Rims. Of approximately 6 million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon, only about 20,000 go to Toroweap (aka Tuweap). There are no railing, only nature in it's splendor.
6. Point Imperial Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
An 11-mile scenic drive on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Reviewed By HeidiGrebeinTC - Traverse City, United States
Our family of 3 (mom, dad, and tween son) took this easy drive to the end and back and highly recommend. We stopped at all the vistas and overlooks and took pix galore! The views at each place were amazing. Others have already commented on the fact that Point Imperial Vista is the highest in the park (8800 feet) and well worth the drive, but seemed to not enjoy the actual drive – we did! The air is just better here! The skies were so blue and many plants had blossoms like the cacti. Each vista and overlook was unique and we’re glad we checked each one out. Nough said!
7. Bright Angel Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 642 reviews
One of the highlights of the less crowded North Rim, this spot offers a breathtaking view of Bright Angel Canyon.
Reviewed By jimmD7990PN - Sedro Woolley, United States
We only spent an afternoon seeing the Grand Canyon, and this is one of startlingly gorgeous views we found. There are many more spots like this, all of them unique and mesmerizing.
8. East Rim Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 314 reviews
Scenic drive on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Reviewed By 451PaulL - Winnipeg, Canada
This drive ( also known as Desert View Drive ) to the East Entrance of the park has many pull-outs and side roads to more outstanding views of the canyon, ending with the wonderful Desert View Watchtower, before you exit the park.
9. Cape Royal Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Many of the Grand Canyon's most spectacular panoramas can be viewed along this scenic drive, including Point Imperial and Cape Royal itself (elevation 7,865 feet,) the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim.
Reviewed By LSUTraveller - Denham Springs, United States
A beautiful drive with lots of spots to stop and take photos, have a picnic or take a hike. Suggest you drive all the way to the end, take the trail out to Angel's Window and make your way back - you'll fight less traffic and compete for parking less that way. A lot of the drive is forested and the view can be visually impeded - but there's so much to see at the stops.
10. Rim Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,503 reviews
Scenic and level walking trail, which is easy enough to bring the kids.
Reviewed By royv647 - Traralgon, Australia
This is truly a great walk to do , there are so many beautifull viewspots for taking photos, We spent a couple of nights in the Village and walked the trail a lot , it is easy going , a lot of it is paved .. We walked some and also used the shuttle buses that are going along the route all the time. There is a lot of information to read along the way, helps you understand the history of the place and learn about the people who made it all happen Their are toilet facilities at some of the main view spots which are very handy. This is a must thing to do , you will take home visions of a lifetime , do it
