Grand Canyon Trail & Visitor Guide
Grand Canyon · United States · Approximately 1,902 square miles (1.2 million acres) in northern Arizona. The canyon is about 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile (around 6,000 feet) deep.
Why Visit Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. Its layered bands of colorful rock reveal nearly two billion years of geological history. The South Rim, at 7,000 feet elevation, is the most accessible and offers dozens of viewpoints connected by the Rim Trail. The Colorado River, 5,000 feet below, continues to carve the canyon today.
Free Grand Canyon Audio Guide with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free, self-guided Grand Canyon audio guide. It narrates trails, viewpoints, geology, and wildlife as you explore — South Rim Trail, Bright Angel Trail, Mather Point, plus quieter spots like Hermit Road and Shoshone Point. No guide, no schedule, works offline.
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Signature Trails
- Bright Angel TrailVaries by turnaround; about 8 miles one way to the Colorado River, or shorter to Havasupai Gardens (4.8 miles one way) · Strenuous
A maintained corridor trail with shade, seasonal water stations, and rest houses at 1.5 and 3 miles. Day hikers are warned not to attempt river-and-back in one day.
- South Kaibab TrailAbout 7 miles one way to the river; popular day turnarounds are Ooh Aah Point (0.9 mi) and Cedar Ridge (1.5 mi) · Strenuous
Follows an open ridgeline with canyon views the whole way. No water and almost no shade, so it is best for the descent or cool seasons.
- Rim TrailUp to about 13 miles total along the South Rim, mostly flat · Easy
Paved/level walking connecting Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest with continuous rim views; shuttle stops let you walk one-way and ride back.
- North Kaibab TrailAbout 14 miles one way to the river (North Rim) · Strenuous
The only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim; shorter goals are Coconino Overlook and Supai Tunnel (about 2 miles one way).
- Hermit TrailAbout 2.5 miles one way to Santa Maria Spring; longer to Dripping Springs · Strenuous
An unmaintained wilderness trail with fewer crowds; no purified water and rough, rocky footing.
Must-See in Grand Canyon
- •South Rim Trail — a 13-mile paved trail connecting major viewpoints along the canyon edge
- •Bright Angel Trail — a steep descent into the canyon following a natural fault line
- •Mather Point — the first viewpoint most visitors see, with sweeping canyon panoramas
- •Desert View Watchtower — a 70-foot stone tower designed by Mary Colter in 1932 with panoramic views
Best Viewpoints
- •Mather Point (first major overlook near the South Rim Visitor Center)
- •Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
- •Hopi Point along Hermit Road (a sunset spot, shuttle-accessed)
- •Desert View Watchtower at the east end of the South Rim (Mary Colter's 1932 tower)
- •Bright Angel Point on the North Rim
Quieter Corners of Grand Canyon
- •Hermit Road — a 7-mile scenic drive (shuttle only in summer) with less crowded western viewpoints
- •Shoshone Point — an unmarked trail through ponderosa pines to a secluded canyon overlook
Wildlife You May See
Entrance Fee
$35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days and covering both the South Rim and North Rim. $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bicycle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) is also accepted.
Getting There
The South Rim is about 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona via AZ-64, and roughly 80 miles from Flagstaff. The nearest major airports are Phoenix Sky Harbor (about 3.5 hours by car) and Las Vegas (about 4.5 hours). The Grand Canyon Railway runs daily from Williams to the South Rim. The North Rim is about 4.5 hours by road from the South Rim and is closed to vehicles in winter (typically December 1 through mid-May).
Where to Stay
Inside the park on the South Rim: El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina, Thunderbird, Maswik, and Yavapai lodges (reserve months ahead). Mather Campground and Trailer Village offer RV/tent sites. Phantom Ranch at the canyon bottom requires a lottery reservation. The North Rim has the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Campground (seasonal). Gateway lodging is in Tusayan (just outside the south entrance), Williams, and Flagstaff.
Best Time
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds than summer. The South Rim is open year-round; winter brings snow and icy trails. The North Rim is open only mid-May through October. Summer is hottest and busiest, with afternoon monsoon thunderstorms common July-August.
Safety
Heat and over-exertion are the top hazards. Inner-canyon temperatures can exceed 100-120F in summer, and the climb out is the hardest part. The Park Service's core rule: do not attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in a single day. Carry and drink water plus eat salty food, hike before 10am and after 4pm in summer, and turn around if you are tired. Stay well back from unfenced rim edges. Cell service is unreliable below the rim.
Scenic Drives
- •Desert View Drive (AZ-64): about 25 miles along the East Rim from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View Watchtower, with multiple overlooks
- •Hermit Road (Hermits Rest Route): 7 miles of overlooks west of the village; private vehicles restricted March-November, served by free shuttle
- •Cape Royal Road (North Rim): about 23 miles to Cape Royal and Point Imperial, the highest viewpoint in the park
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