10 Places to Visit in Grand Canyon National Park!

History of the Grand Canyon

"It's all about the layers!" TThe Grand Canyon showcases 20 layers of visible rock in a canyon that is one mile deep, which is nearly the length of 15 football fields!

Remarkably, the oldest rock in the Grand Canyon is known as Vishnu schist and dates back 1.8 billion years, which is millions of years before dinosaurs existed. The lower layers are composed of Igneous rocks, formed from cooled liquid magma, and Metamorphic rocks, created by heat and pressure. The upper layers consist of Sedimentary rocks, made from sediment like limestone, sandstone, or shale, which harden into rocks as water is lost. The canyon was shaped when the Colorado River carved through the plateau, exposing layers of colorful rock. It's truly astonishing what time and pressure can produce!

Archaeologists have found artifacts in the canyon that date back to 11,000 years BC, indicating that humans have inhabited this area for a long time. Today, eleven Native American Indian tribes reside in this region, including the Havasupai, Navajo, and Zuni, among others.

Where & When to Go

Curious about which rim to explore? The Grand Canyon features visitor centers on both the North and South Rims. I haven't been to the North Rim because many roads are closed in the winter, and all dining and accommodations are unavailable from October 15th to May 15th. However, I've visited the South Rim twice and found it impressive.

The South Rim features two visitor centers. Verkamp's Visitor Center is located to the far west near The Village, while the more commonly visited Grand Canyon Visitor Center is near Mather Point. To the far east, you'll find the Desert View Area and Facility, which offers numerous services. I strongly suggest exploring the entire South Rim to gain various perspectives of the plateau and to see the breathtaking and iconic Desert View Watchtower at the Desert View Area.

Nearly 6 million people from across the globe visit the Grand Canyon each year. Despite this impressive number, no reservations are required to enter this national park. However, there is a $35 car entrance fee to visit the Grand Canyon. Additionally, visiting this park during the summer, which is the peak season, can be challenging due to the large number of visitors. Thankfully, free shuttles are available, stopping every 10 to 15 minutes near major attractions and parking areas to help you navigate the park. Just park your vehicle in one location and use the shuttles to reach all your desired destinations. (Refer to the park shuttle map below)

My family and I made our first trip to the Grand Canyon in January 2018. Despite the chilly weather typical of that time of year, the number of visitors was low because it wasn't peak season. We stayed at the nearby Grand Hotel, which is only one mile from the South Rim entrance and located in the town of Tusayan. The hotel offers a cozy lodge atmosphere, and it was both clean and convenient. I strongly recommend this hotel for its charm and excellent location. Being so close to the canyon allowed us to visit the park at dusk on the day we arrived and again at dawn the next morning, where we witnessed incredible colors in the sky above the already stunning canyon. The natural light during sunrise and sunset gives the canyon a mystical quality at these special times.

Our second visit took place in March 2023, and once again, there were no crowds! The temperature was a comfortable 60°. This trip included the must-see Desert Watchtower. See below for more information on this idyllic location. While I recommend visiting during the off-season, sometimes you have to go when it's convenient. Just remember that limited parking and crowds might be unavoidable on your trip to the Grand Canyon. During this visit, we stayed in Page, Arizona, near Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, which is just a 2.5-hour drive from the Grand Canyon.

Read my blog post about Horseshoe Bend here and Antelope Canyon here.

Where to Hike

There are many options for hiking. You can choose the easy and mostly paved Rim Trail (1 to 1.5 miles) or choose one of the moderate to difficult hikes in the canyon.The Rim Trail follows the canyon's edge, extending about 13 miles from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Hermits Rest. This mostly flat trail features a few inclines and shaded spots for resting. We began our adventure by parking near Mather Point, visited the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to consult with a park ranger about our plans, and then set off on the Rim Trail.

Mather Point was our first stop along the Rim Trail, which is a convenient 5 minute walk from the visitor center. Mather Point offers a breathtaking and vast view of the Grand Canyon. On a clear day, you can see for miles in every direction, including a view down to the rushing Colorado River below. My family and I visited this spot at dawn and dusk to capture the best photos. Due to the area's wide and spacious nature, the sky's colors constantly change at sunrise and sunset.

As you head west, you'll encounter several other viewpoints, including Yavapai Point, which features an observation room and details about the Grand Canyon's formation. Keep in mind, you can always hop on a shuttle to reduce your walking distance!

Two miles later we came to Trailview Overlook with stunning views of the canyon and our next hike, Bright Angel Trail.

Mules available for a ride with an advance reservation and an image of Mountain Chickadees.

At Bright Angel Trail, a well-known hike into the Grand Canyon, you can descend along picturesque switchbacks, originally created many years ago and utilized by the Native Americans who once inhabited this region. (Alternatively, there is an option to ride mules along this trail into the canyon.) Check here for more information)

This path is steep and challenging on the return trip due to the elevation, making breathing difficult. However, the trail offers several advantages, including plenty of shade, rest stops with toilets, and drinking water at certain mile markers. Knowing we would have to climb the steep trail, we decided to turn around at the 1 1/2 mile rest-house. With an elevation change of 1,120 feet and a 3-mile round trip, this hike took us nearly 3 hours and provided an excellent workout for your quads and glutes. Our impatient teenage children, tired of our breaks on the way back up, managed to complete the trail in just over 2 hours. For those more adventurous, there is another rest-house at the 3-mile marker with a 2,120 feet elevation change. After finishing this hike, we rested at the top near the Rim Trail, where there are many benches to relax and enjoy a packed lunch. I almost always bring a sack lunch for us to enjoy in the fresh air, helping us regain energy for the rest of the day without leaving the park. Nevertheless, there are a few snack stands and restaurants in the Grand Canyon, if you prefer to not bring your own food.

After a much-needed rest, we opted to walk on flat terrain for a while and wandered over to Maricopa Point. This location, named after the Maricopa Indians from South-Central Arizona, is a must-see. Maricopa Point offers a sweeping panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. It was the ideal place to hop on the free shuttle for a scenic ride back to our starting point. Once we returned to the parking lot where our car was located, we decided there was no better way to end our trip than by experiencing the stunning sunset at Mather Point. I've seen many beautiful sunsets in my life, but witnessing a multi-colored sunset over this landscape is incomparable. When you visit, make sure to take in the grandeur of the canyon during a sunrise or sunset; you won't regret it.

After a long and invigorating day of hiking, we headed back to our hotel to change and get back in the car to eat at We Cook Pizza & Pasta. Conveniently, this restaurant is only a few minutes drive down the road and nothing tastes better than pizza and salad after a great day of hiking. The food was delicious and the service was great. If you are staying in Tusayan or leaving the Grand Canyon from the South, I highly recommend stopping here for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Now, for our next visit to the Grand Canyon, we explored the South Rim to the far East.

While visiting Page, Arizona to see the stunning Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, we decided the Grand Canyon was definitely worth a second visit. The Grand Canyon was only 100 minutes away, so we made a pit stop on our way down to Phoenix, AZ, (3.5 hours away).

On the way to the South Rim, heading towards its easternmost point, we caught our first sight of the Grand Canyon. The Little Colorado River, a tributary of the Colorado River, features a smaller version of the Grand Canyon known as The Little Colorado River Gorge. This gorge is situated on US-64, just 30 minutes before reaching the Grand Canyon entrance. There are two easily accessible viewpoints from the road, managed by the Navajo National Parks and Recreation. Both viewpoints offer large parking areas, restrooms, and stalls where Native Americans sell their handmade crafts. Occasionally, there is a $5 fee for parking, but when we visited, there was no charge.

The scenery here is stunning, particularly the Little Colorado River, which resembles flowing chocolate lava. I had hoped to find a Native American souvenir, and fortunately, there were several stalls open with Navajo Indians selling handmade jewelry, tomahawks, and pottery. The Little Colorado River Gorge served as a prelude to the main attraction, the Grand Canyon. I was thrilled to once more witness the canyon's awe-inspiring views.

At last, we made it to the extraordinary area called Desert View Point, and home to the iconic column, the Desert Watchtower, a must see for any visitor. Located here is an entrance station where a park ranger will collect a $35 fee for you to enter the park. Ask the park ranger for a map to easily find the multitude of lookout points along the way. The Desert Watchtower was built in 1932, and designed by architect Mary Colter. It is acknowledged as a National Historic Landmark. Mary Colter's design was influenced by the Ancestral Puebloan people that lived in this area. Also, the tower was styled similarly to the towers found at Hovenweep and the Round Tower in Mesa Verde.

You can find a gift shop, chairs to rest, and when available, the opportunity to explore the upper rooms of the watchtower. Thankfully, the upper rooms were open when we visited.. Only 25 people were allowed at a time to enter this area and was monitored by a park employee. The Watchtower allows you to see expansive arial views of the Grand Canyon. At this viewpoint, you can see the changeover from the narrow Marble Canyon to the vast Grand Canyon. The greatest aspect of this tower was the art decorating the inside. There are four levels with stairs spiralling up to each floor. Each floor is decorated with petroglyphs, paintings and much more, which represent the Native American Indian tribes that dwell in the Southwest. In all, this tower was a colorful delight to see.

Outside the tower is the picturesque Grand Canyon!!! This aerial tower offers sweeping views of the surrounding canyon, which never gets old for me to see. The walls of the canyon are such a unique and amazing depiction of the Earth beneath us.

At Desert View, you can take advantage of the amenities available, including restrooms, a snack bar, a trading post, and a souvenir shop. After exploring everything this area has to offer, proceed west towards the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. As you travel along the 22-mile road to your destination, consider stopping at one or more of the viewpoints.

We stopped shortly after Desert View to view the vistas at Navajo Point. From here you can observe the majestic Grand Canyon and the surrounding sacred plateaus that are still home to several native tribes. This area is a great destination for great sunset views without the crowds.

How To Spend Your Time

Ride the Shuttle Buses for FREE!

From March through November the Hermits Route (red) runs from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to Hermits Rest ( 7 miles) and stops at 9 fantastic viewpoints.

Only 1 - 2 hours to Visit. Where to go?

Walk the Rim Trail, which is only 1- 1.5 miles and ride the Kaibab/Rim (orange) route shuttle.

This shuttle is a figure 8 loop and provides transportation from the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal to 5 points of view.

Half a Day to Visit. Where to go?

Walk the Rim Trail.

Ride the Hermits Rest Route shuttle (red).

Drive to Desert View Watchtower.

One Full Day to visit. Where to go?

Walk the Rim Trail.

Ride the Hermits Rest Route shuttle (red).

Hike the Bright Angel Trail to first marker.

Visit the visitor centers and park museums.

In all, the Grand Canyon is an amazing place to visit, offering a breathtaking array of natural beauty, geological wonders, and rich cultural history that captivates millions of visitors each year. Stretching over 277 miles in length and reaching depths of more than a mile, this iconic landmark carved by the Colorado River showcases stunning vistas and dramatic landscapes that change with the shifting light throughout the day. The intricate layers of rock reveal nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history, providing a unique opportunity for scientists and enthusiasts alike to study the planet's past.

Visitors to the Grand Canyon can explore a variety of activities that cater to all interests and levels of adventure. Hiking enthusiasts can traverse the numerous trails, such as the popular Bright Angel Trail or the more challenging South Kaibab Trail, both of which offer spectacular views and a chance to experience the canyon's diverse ecosystems. For those seeking a different perspective, rafting down the Colorado River can be an exhilarating way to witness the canyon's grandeur from below, navigating through its rapids while surrounded by towering cliffs.

The Grand Canyon is not just a geological marvel; it is also steeped in cultural significance. The area is home to several Native American tribes, including the Havasupai, Hopi, and Navajo, each with their own unique traditions and histories connected to the land. Visitors can learn about these rich cultures through various programs and exhibits offered at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and other locations throughout the park.

Moreover, the Grand Canyon offers stunning opportunities for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset when the colors of the canyon walls come alive with hues of red, orange, and purple. The vastness of the canyon provides countless vantage points, such as Mather Point and Yavapai Observation Station, where one can take in the sweeping views and capture the essence of this natural wonder.

In addition to its visual splendor, the Grand Canyon also provides a serene escape into nature, where visitors can find tranquility amidst the vast expanses and the sounds of the wind and wildlife. Whether one is seeking adventure, education, or simply a moment of reflection, the Grand Canyon undoubtedly stands as a remarkable destination that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.

*This post contains affiliate links, so I can earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and Viator Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclaimer here.