Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide

The Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to visit Grand Canyon National Park and other locations in and around the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona. The area features diverse outdoor recreation and some of the world's most spectacular sightseeing.

(Right: The Watchtower on the South Rim - Desert View Drive)

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any purple KEY number on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the number for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed Grand Canyon Area Map in separate window. (Index at bottom of this page.)

Grand Canyon Pull-Down Menu Introduction & Index South Rim Inner Canyon North Rim Toroweap Overlook Havasu Canyon Grand Canyon Skywalk Grand Canyon West Grand Canyon Articles Nearby Destinations: Northern Arizona Las Vegas Area Southern Utah Sedona and Oak Creek Lake Powell Paria Canyon Hiking

South Rim | Inner Canyon | North Rim | Toroweap Overlook | Havasu Canyon | Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is the destination of most Grand Canyon visitors. The center of activity is Grand Canyon Village, 80 miles north of Flagstaff, and convenient to Interstates 40 and 17, 210 miles from Phoenix and about 275 miles from Las Vegas. The village area includes motels, restaurants, stores, galleries, museums, vista points, and hiking trails. It is the starting point for the most popular trail (Bright Angel) into the Inner Canyon.

The Desert View Road connects the village area to the park's east entrance. It features more outstanding vista points, trailheads, the popular Watchtower overlook (photo, above), and the Tusayan Indian ruins. The Hermit Road extends west from the village and offers more views of the Inner Canyon. More canyon trails (Hermit, Dripping Spring, Boucher) starts at Hermit's Rest at the end of the road. The road is closed to auto traffic (access by shuttle bus only) except in winter.

The town of Tusayan just south of the park entrance offers additional visitor services, more motels and restuarants. The Grand Canyon IMAX Theater is also located here. Several canyon air tours operate out of Tusayan. Further south, Flagstaff and Williams offer more services. The Grand Canyon Railway operates out of Williams and brings passengers to the South Rim. There is a concession taxi service between Tusayan, Grand Canyon Airport, and Grand Canyon Village. Call 928-638-2822 for details. For more transportation details, see the NPS Grand Canyon Public Transportation guide.

Park Shuttle Bus. Due to the very heavy auto traffic in the South Rim area, the National Park Services offers free, frequent shuttle bus service. The Village Route (blue) services Grand Canyon Village east to the main visitor center, Canyon View Information Plaza. The Kaibab Trail Route (green) runs from Yaki Point west to the visitor center. The Hermits Rest Route (red) runs from the west end of the village west to Hermits Rest from March through November. During that time, Hermit Road is closed to auto traffic. The buses stop at all motels and parking lots. Use of the shuttle service is highly recommended. Note that the information plaza is accessible only by shuttle bus or footpath. Grand Canyon Transit Map and other park maps. Grand Canyon Village map with all facilities..

South Rim Activities.

 Viewing the canyon. By far the most common visitor activity is viewing the canyon from the various vista points. Mather Point near the visitor center juts out into the canyon and offers perhaps the most popular views, as does nearby Yavapai Point. Heading west on Hermits Road, Hopi Point, Pima Point, Hermits Rest, and others view a different section of canyon. You can get a glimpse of the Colorado River flowing west through the Inner Canyon. Going east on the Desert View Road You start getting views of the Painted Desert in the background. The view of the canyon including the Watchtower is quite interesting.

 Taking a hike.The Rim Trail runs nine miles from Mather Point west to Hermits Rest. The first 3.5 miles from Mather Point are paved, level, and handicapped accessible. For the most part the trail follows the edge of the rim, offering ever-changing views of the canyon. The pavement continues beyond the village area before changing to dirt. There are no hand rails along the canyon edge. The park shuttle bus stops at numerous places along the trail. Day hikes are possible into the canyon as well but travel to the Colorado River and back is not recommended. See our Inner Canyon Guide for suggestions.

 Visiting bookstores, museums, galleries. Besides the usual travelers' services stores, there are several classic shops along the rim in Grand Canyon Village that date from the early 19th century. The Lookout Studio is perched right on the edge of the canyon. It has a viewing telescope and sells a variety of souvenirs. Kolb Studio dates from 1904 and is at the start of the Bright Angel Trail. It offers a bookstore and changing art exhibits. Historic Hopi House (from 1905) features Native American crafts in a pueblo-style building. Verkamps (from 1906) features gifts and Native American crafts. The largest bookstore is in the Canyon View Information Plaza.
In the Desert View area, 25 miles east of the village, visit the Watchtower built in 1932 to replicate an ancient pueblo. You can climb to the top for views in all directions. Its walls feature murals by a Hopi artist, and there is a Native American gift store. Nearby is a gift store / snack shop and a small visitor center. The Tusayan Museum and Bookstore focuses on the adjacent 800-year old ruin site where there is a self-guiding trail.

 Participate in a ranger program. The park service offers a wide variety of interpretive programs. Check the current schedule at the information center.

 Grand Canyon Railway. The Train Depot is in the heart of the village. The railway offers various packages for riding the train from Williams, Arizona, and staying at a South Rim motel.

 National Geographic Visitor Center, Grand Canyon and IMAX Theater. Located in Tusayan, 7 miles south or rim. Features the popular Grand Canyon Movie in IMAX format. Also, other exhibits, outfitter store, and tour booking.

Inner Canyon Activities.

There are various ways of accessing the Inner Grand Canyon, all of them exciting and most of them quite strenuous. These include hiking, mule rides, river rafting, and air tours. See our Inner Canyon Guide for more information.

South Rim and Nearby Camping

  Mather Campground. Main campground at the South Rim, located just east of Grand Canyon Village. Open all year. Small, wooded sites can accommodate 30-foot RVs. No hookups. Reservations strongly advised March through November.

  Desert View Campground. Small campground on the South Rim, located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village on Desert View Drive. Open May-October. Small sites not designed for large RVs. No hookups. First-come, first served.

  Trailer Village. Full-service RV park located at the South Rim, run by concessionaire. Full hookups. Open all year. Reservations strongly recommended.

  Ten-X Campground. National Forest campground located two miles south of Tusayan on US-180/AZ-64. Large, wooded sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. First-come, first served. Two group sites reservable. No hookups. Open May-September.

  Flintstones Bedrock City. Full-service RV theme park located 30 miles south of South Rim at junction of US-180 and AZ-64. Restaurant, gift shop and other services.

  Campgrounds and RV Parks near Williams, Arizona. Junction of I-40 and AZ-64.

South Rim Lodging

Grand Canyon Village offers a variety of lodging ranging from inexpensive, rustic cabins to a classic hotel setting at the famed El Tovar Hotel. All lodging must be reserved well in advance. There is ample food service ranging from the elegant El Tovar Dining Room to cafeterias to food markets. For reservations and information, contact Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the park concessionaire. Below is a brief description of each facility.

• El Tovar Hotel. Premiere lodging at Grand Canyon opend in 1905 and was renovated in 2005. Features standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and suites. Also, features an outstanding dining with picture windows overlooking the canyon. Expensive.
• Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins. Classic lodge with modest accomodations and family-style restaurant. Lodges rooms are inexpensive, cabins inexpensive to moderate.
• Kachina Lodge. Contemporary motel-style rooms suitable for families. Some canyon views. Moderate.
• Thunderbird Lodge. Contemporary motel-style rooms suitable for families. Some canyon views. Moderate.
• Maswik Lodge. Modern facility is located in the pine forest 1/4 mile from the canyon rim. Also, some rustic cabins. Cafeteria and sports bar. Inexpensive to moderate.
• Yavapai Lodge. Large, modern facility is located in the pine forest 1/2 mile from the canyon rim. Also, some rustic cabins. Cafe and market plaza adjacent. Moderate.

Nearby Lodging

Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, and Williams, Arizona

  Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Grand Canyon
Hwy 64, P.O. Box 3245
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Phone: 928-638-3000
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is located one mile from the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim entrance. Dining and entertainment within walking distance. 1/2 mile from the Grand Canyon Airport and Helibase.
196 units on 3 floors.
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Indoor pool, whirlpool, free high-speed internet, free continental breakfast.

  Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
100 Highway 64
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Phone: 928-638-2681
Enjoy spacious accommodations at this three-diamond AAA rated Grand Canyon, Arizona hotel, perfectly situated just minutes from the park entrance. Each spacious, well-appointed room is fully equipped with complimentary high-speed Internet access, cable satellite television, coffee/tea maker and iron/ironing board.
250 units on 1-3 floors.
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Heated Outdoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room, tennis courts, high-speed internet, free continental breakfast.

  Canyon Plaza Resort
SR 64 In Tusayan
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Phone: 928-638-2673
The Canyon Plaza Resort is perfectly located one mile from the entrance gate to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The indoor atrium features an 18-foot indoor hot tub. In addition to standard amenities, all guest rooms have free coffee, irons, ironing boards and Nintendo game systems. Some rooms feature balconies and patios. Suites come equipped with microwaves and refrigerators. Handicap accessible, non-smoking and connecting rooms are available.
232 units on 3 floors.
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Seasonal Outdoor pool, whirlpool, high-speed internet, free continental breakfast.

  More Hotels in Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, and Williams, AZ.

Flagstaff, Arizona Area

Lodging

  Holiday Inn Express
2320 E. Lucky Lane, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
Phone: 928-714-1000
Stay Smart at the Flagstaff Holiday Inn Express. This hotel is centrally located to many Flagstaff and northern Arizona attractions, such as Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Oak Creek Canyon.
154 units on 5 floors.
Hotel Rating: AAA-3 Diamonds
Heated indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room, free expanded continental breakfast.

  More Hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Note: Some of the links in this guide are to publications in PDF format. The PDF's can only be viewed or printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free, online).

Grand Canyon Area Travel Guide Index

• Introduction & Index
• South Rim
• Inner Canyon
• North Rim
• Toroweap Overlook
• Havasu Canyon
• Grand Canyon Skywalk
• More Grand Canyon...

Guides to Nearby Destinations

• Northern Arizona
• Las Vegas Area
• Southern Utah
• Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
• Lake Powell
• Paria Canyon Hiking Guide

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