One of the quintessential American national parks and vacation destinations, the Grand Canyon offers epic adventure for everyone. Want to hike the rim, take a mule trip to the bottom of the canyon or go river rafting, you can do that. Prefer to drive or ride the shuttle bus from viewpoint to viewpoint and take as many photos of possible of this national treasure, go for it. Here’s your guide to planning a fantastic Grand Canyon vacation, from what to see and do, to the nuts and bolts like what the weather is like to how to get there. Read on …

What is the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon? What is the Grand Canyon weather like?

For the coolest daytime temperatures and fewer tourists to contend with, the best time to visit the Grand Canyon is between March and May. Summer is the high season, when you’ll be contending with heavier tourist crowds and soaring temperatures. At the South Rim, the inner canyon gets to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more in July and August). At the rim, temperatures are more comfortable in the summer, from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The North Rim’s summer temperatures are cooler than the South Rim. If you really want to avoid other people – and score some excellent hotel rates – consider visiting in the middle of winter (the North Rim closes after the first snowstorm, but the South Rim is open year-round, with variable temperatures and conditions).

How do I get to the Grand Canyon?

The most popular way to start your Grand Canyon vacation is by flying into Las Vegas or Phoenix – if you want to get closer and cut down on drivetime, fly into Flagstaff (an hour from the South Rim) or Salt Lake City (nearer to the North Rim). Rent a car and road trip to the park, or take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona. Once you’re at the park, you can hop on the shuttle bus to get around. There is also a shuttle service that provides transportation between the North and South Rims (about a 4.5-hour drive).

How many days should I plan to see the Grand Canyon?

Plan on one full day or two more leisurely days to see the Grand Canyon. A lot depends on how active you plan to do and whether you’re there for the views or are planning to hike. The most popular stop – nearly five million people a year – is the South Rim, the most accessible part of the park and open year-round. Less frequently visited, and closed during winter, the North Rim is a thousand feet higher than the South Rim and less accessible.

How much does an average trip to the Grand Canyon cost?

While this number will vary depending on what style of accommodation you choice (say, campground versus upscale lodge), how long you’re staying, etc., an average price for a Grand Canyon tour for one week for two people is around $1,800.

What’s the best place to stay when visiting the Grand Canyon?

For convenience when visiting the Grand Canyon, stay in the national park or in Grand Canyon West. Book well in advance to secure your reservation, especially in high season (reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance). There are several lodges available at the South Rim, including El Tovar, which has played host to former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Clinton, and Maswik Lodge. There are also two campgrounds and an RV park. Hotels are also available in Tusayan, Williams and Flagstaff – about an hour’s drive from the park entrance. The North Rim offers fewer accommodations choices, the Grand Canyon Lodge, and the North Rim Campground. Or, head to Kanab, Utah or Page, Arizona for additional choices.

How far is the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas? How about Sedona?

The North Rim and South Rim are both 270 miles from the Las Vegas Strip – plan on a 4.5-hour drive (or a 45-minute scenic helicopter flight). Bus tours are available, which provide an all-day experience with stops at the Hoover Dam and the Route 66 town of Seligman, Arizona. Or, take the Greyhound bus from Las Vegas, to Flagstaff, Arizona, then a shuttle bus to the canyon. One more option – continue by Lyft, Uber or bus to Williams, Arizona, and enjoy the last leg of your trip on the Grand Canyon Railway.

The Grand Canyon is just 117 miles from Sedona, Arizona. It’s an easy day trip, which could, for example, include a guided van tour of Grand Canyon National Park, a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway and lunch in the park.

 
What else can I see near the Grand Canyon?
Seen the Grand Canyon and want more? Here are the best additional sights to see near the Grand Canyon:

• Antelope Canyon, 129 miles from the North Rim. Beautiful slot canyons on Navajo land. Iconic Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River is just 7 miles from Antelope Canyon.

 

• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 130 miles from the North Rim. Start at Wahweap Marina, the best jumping-off point for exploring the second-largest humanmade lake in the United States. Go fishing, swimming, kayaking, boating, paddleboarding – or rent a houseboat!

 

• Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, 195 miles from the South Rim. Hunt for petrified logs, ancient petroglyphs, Pueblo ruins along the 28-mile drive through Petrified Forest National Park.

 

• Cedar Breaks National Monument, 150 miles from the North Rim. As striking as the red and orange striations of Bryce Canyon, this park – more than 10,000 feet above sea level – offers amazing hiking along the canyon rim.

 

• Mesa Verde National Park, 280 miles from the South Rim. Home to nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 ancient cliff dwellings, home to the Ancestral Pueblo people from 600 to 1300 CE.

 

• Monument Valley, 190 miles from the South Rim. Known for the massive sandstone buttes of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and recognizable from the countless Western movies that have been filmed here.

Your first stop should be the visitor center to chat with the park rangers and find out about any places that are closed or have restrictions. The staff at the visitor center can provide maps and information about the park’s many offerings and give you ideas for what to see and do. Here are our favorite activities at the Grand Canyon, for starters:

 

1. Get your bearings at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Take in the view from Yavapai Point – one of the best vantage points of the canyon – check into your accommodations, hit the visitors center, hop on or off the Grand Canyon Railway, pick up authentic Native American souvenirs, stock up on groceries or browse art at the Hopi House and the Kolb and Lookout studios. The South Rim is a perennial favorite for Grand Canyon vacationers because it offers all the natural beauty you’re expecting, but with all the creature comforts you prefer.
2. The Rim Hiking Trail. Sure, at the South Rim – home to the Rim Trail – you’ll be in the company (a lot of company) of many other tourists, but don’t let that completely keep you away from this dramatically beautiful spot. Hiking the Rim Trail affords you one of the most beautiful and comprehensive ways to see the Grand Canyon. It’s fairly easy and accessible and includes popular lookout spots, such as Maricopa Point and Hopi Point. Look for the trailhead at Pipe Creek Vista east of Grand Canyon Village – it runs about 12 miles to the Hermit’s Rest lookout point west of Grand Canyon Village. Don’t want to hike the whole thing. There’s a free shuttle bus that runs alongside the trail, so you can hop on and off.

3. Bright Angel Hiking Trail. Starting west of the Bright Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village, the 6-mile (one-way) Bright Angel Trail is a challenge. It’s advised that you don’t hike down to the river and back (for a total of 12 miles) in just one day. Instead, if you plan on going all the way to Plateau Point, pack camping gear and lots of water. You can also take a mule trip along the Bright Angel Trail. You’ll be taken to a ranch for an overnight stay.
4. Consider the North Rim. Get away from the crowds at the South Rim and head to the rugged, more isolated North Rim. There aren’t many facilities here, so plan and pack accordingly. Check out Bright Angel Point, where you can see Roaring Springs, and the 8,803 Point Imperial, the North Rim’s highest point.
5. Trek Along the North Kaibab Trail. Avid hikers can take the 14-mile (one-way) North Kaibab Trail on the North Rim all the way to the Colorado River. Pack your camping gear and spend the night at the Bright Angel Campground. Spring or fall is generally more comfortable for this hike – the summer is oppressively hot and there is little shade along the trail.

6. Swim at Havasu Falls. Certainly one of the most beautiful places in the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is the storybook desert oasis – a surreal water setting in a dry, rocky canyon. You’ll put in a significant amount of effort to get here, though its worth every step. The 10-mile hike starts at Hualapai Hilltop, which itself is a four-hour drive from Grand Canyon Village. It’s a challenging hike, and typically takes more than one day – plus you’ll need to secure a permit – but, we’ll say it again, it’s worth it for the beauty of the gushing falls.
7. Go River Rafting. See the Grand Canyon from the river, whether on a half or full-day float on the calm waters of the northeastern section of the canyon, or an exciting whitewater adventure in the rougher waters between Diamond Creek and Lake Mead.

8. Walk on Air. Not for the faint of heart, the Grand Canyon Skywalk allows visitor to walk 70 feet out over the canyon. From this semi-circular bridge, you’ll be able to view the canyon floor from 4,000 above it. The Skywalk is a long drive from both the South and North Rims, so consider it an all-day activity.
9. Ride the Rails. The historic Grand Canyon Railway was built in the late 1800s and was used to transport ore from the Anita mines. Starting in 1901, it was used to bring the public to the Grand Canyon. After a hiatus from 1968 to 1989 – due, in large part, to the increase in car use in the United States – the railway was restored and reopened. Today, you can ride the rails from Williams to the South Rim’s Grand Canyon Depot. Entertaining (and expert) train guides regale passengers with stories of the region’s history.
10. Rent a Bike. The park gets crowded during the summer and parking can be difficult. Rent a bike at the South Rim and cycle from viewpoint to viewpoint for a leisurely Grand Canyon tour. It’s better for the environment, gets your heart pumping and eliminates the frustration of waiting for a parking spot. The best place to ride is traffic-free Hermit Road, which is closed to passenger vehicles.
11. Visit a Museum. There are several insightful museums scattered through Grand Canyon National Park. At the Yavapai Geology Museum at the historic Yavapai Observation Station, you can learn about the geology of the canyon and its formation through topographical models and interactive displays. At the Tusayan Museum and Ruins, explore Pueblo Indian heritage from more than 800 years ago through their pottery, arrowheads and household artifacts.
12. Visit the Desert View Watchtower®. You’ll likely see architect Mary E. J. Colter’s name throughout your Grand Canyon vacation – she designed a number of the building on the South Rim, including the Desert View Watchtower® in 1932. Inspired by ancient pueblo watchtowers, today the tower affords park visitors an outstanding view from its observation deck. Other notable Colter-designed buildings include the Hopi House, Lookout Studio and Hermits Rest®, all of which are National Historic Landmarks.

13. Take a Helicopter Grand Canyon Tour. For a bird’s-eye view of this spectacular natural wonder, book a helicopter tour. Set off from the South Rim, Las Vegas or Henderson in a glass-enclosed helicopter with theater-style seating that provides an epic vantage point no matter where you’re positioned.
14. Take a Jeep Tour. Go off-road in the backcountry desert near the Grand Canyon (and near Sedona). You’ll get great views this way and get to glimpse local wildlife and landscapes. Expert local guides accompany each Jeep tour, providing all the info you crave about the region’s ecology, geology, history, wildlife and more.