Visitor Center and Mather Point Overlook
If you are entering the park at the South Entrance, from the direction of Williams, the best thing to do is head directly to the visitor center. A few displays show a brief overview of the park and a little about the history. The park staff are on hand to answer questions and provide information on hikes and attractions. From the visitor center, a short path leads to Mather Point Overlook, where there are a couple of large viewing areas on a peninsula jutting out into the canyon, with great views out over the dramatic landscape of the Grand Canyon.
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is a mostly paved walking path that follows the rim of the Grand Canyon for 13 miles, from South Kaibab Trailhead, east of the Visitor Center, to Hermit’s Rest, at the far west end of Hermit Road. This nearly level path, with a mix of sun and shade from scattered trees, is one of the most scenic walks in North America, with fabulous views during the entire distance of the trail. You can access it in front of the visitor center at Mather Point, in the Village, or from any of the scenic stops along Hermit Road. If you have limited time and are only interested in a short walk, a good option is the section from Mather Point, heading west to Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum.
Hermit Road Drive
Hermit Road is a seven-mile scenic drive along the canyon rim, with numerous viewpoints. This is the most popular route in the park. If you are visiting between the beginning of December and the end of February, you can do this drive in your own vehicle. From March 1 to November 30 you must use the park shuttle buses, which operate every 10 to 15 minutes and stop at nine overlooks. All of the overlooks along this route offer incredible views. Although it may be the source of some debate, some of the best views can be had from Maricopa Point, Hopi Point, The Abyss, and Pima Point. If you are short on time, you may want to skip the last stop, Hermit’s Rest.
Bright Angel Hiking Trail
The most popular hike in the park is the Bright Angel Hike, which departs from the Village, where the shuttle bus to Hermit’s Rest begins its route. This is a long hike, but many people choose to walk down the trail only a short distance to get a feel for the hike. The complete route, round-trip to Bright Angel Campground, is 19 miles and takes two days. Many serious hikers choose to go to Indian Garden Campground, which is a nine-mile round-trip hike, and takes between six and nine hours. Keep in mind, this includes a strenuous hike with more than 3,000 feet of elevation change. However, for a short sample of the trail, the Upper Tunnel is only 0.4 miles round-trip and takes less than 30 minutes, and the lower tunnel is 1.7 miles and takes between one and two hours. This hike hugs the canyon walls, with steep cliffs and sharp drops off the outer portion of the trail. It is not suited for anyone with a serious fear of heights. Some portions of the trail are in shadow and may be snow or ice-covered, even when conditions at the top are warm and dry.
Desert View Drive
While most people tend to gravitate towards Hermit Road, the 22-mile Desert View Drive is equally, if not more stunning. One of the main differences is the view to the Colorado River, which is much more visible from some of the stops along this drive than on the route further west. Here, you can see white water rapids, and long, wide sections of the river snaking through the canyon in the distance.
There are fewer stops along this route, but they are all worth taking the time to enjoy the lookouts. Moran Point is definitely a highlight, with a beautiful view over the Colorado River from the far east side of the parking area and a myriad of different colors visible in the rock walls across the canyon. Lipan Point has more wonderful views to the Colorado but is also a noteworthy location for birders. This is the most direct route across the canyon for migrating birds, which use this narrower section on their flight path.
Grandview Point is one of the highest lookouts on the South Rim. From the viewing area, the Grandview Hiking Trail leads down in a steep descent, quickly disappearing out of sight. This is a strenuous hike on an unmaintained trail and best suited for serious hikers. The trail conditions here are more difficult than Bright Angel; slippery in the spring and hot in the summer.
From Navajo Point, the last stop before Desert View Watchtower, the watchtower is visible off to the right, and can be a good photo opportunity if you have a long lens. The last stop is Desert View, with the watchtower standing proudly on the cliff edge, and it is definitely a highlight on this drive. Also found along Desert View Drive is the Tusayan Museum and Ruin. The museum itself is quite small, with information on the people who inhabited this area and a short trail leading through the ruins offering a close-up look at the dwellings.
Desert View Watchtower
Desert View is the first stop in the park if you are coming from the east and entering the park through the Desert View Entrance. This is a full-service stop with a general store, trading post, and camping, but the main attraction is the famous Indian Watchtower.
Despite its appearance, the 70-foot tower is not an ancient, crumbling stone ruin. It was built in 1932 and is one of four structures in the park designed by Mary Jane Colter, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure is designed to look like an Anasazi watchtower, and much attention was given to detail in its creation. The tower is built around a concrete and steel structure, but the stone exterior, with uneven rooflines, creates a dramatic effect, as it blends in with the surrounding colors. The interior walls, visible on every level from the circular balconies and stairways, are covered with what is meant to look like petroglyphs and ancient artwork. There is an outdoor observation deck on the second level and an enclosed observation deck on the top floor, with incredible views out over the canyon and beyond to the desert on the east side.
Wildlife Viewing
While most people don’t come to the Grand Canyon for the wildlife viewing, it’s more than likely you will see at least some animals if you are driving through the park. One of the usual suspects that can often be spotted along the Rim Trail is elk. Although you are less likely to see them, mountain lions live in the park forests, and signs along the Desert View Drive advise drivers to watch for them on the road. Also found in the park are bighorn sheep; hog-nosed skunk; mule deer; Arizona’s state mammal, the ringtail; and many other smaller critters, including the Kaibab squirrel.
Lookout Studio and the Kolb Gallery
In the Village, the Lookout Studio and the Kolb Gallery are both perched along the canyon wall. The Lookout Studio is housed in one of the Mary Jane Colter Buildings that are found throughout the park, with a traditional stone design, meant to resemble a ruin. The Studio sells souvenirs and trinkets but also has two outdoor viewing decks that look out over the Grand Canyon. Just a short walk to the west of here is the Kolb Gallery, in a dark brown, wooden structure. This historic Victorian home was built in 1905 and belonged to the Kolb brothers, who were early adventurers in the park. Today, the building serves as an art gallery, with changing exhibits, a small store selling books, and information on the life of the Kolbs. The Kolb Gallery is near the start of the Bright Angel Trail.
IMAX Movie at the National Geographic Visitor Center
In the town of Tusayan, just outside the South Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, is one of the oldest IMAX Theaters in existence, and seeing a movie here has been a long standing tradition for families coming to the canyon. The movie, Grand Canyon: The Movie (Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets), one of the longest running IMAX movies to be shown in the same location, is a 34-minute film and begins on the half hour. In addition to seeing the film, visitors can also get information on the park or grab a bite to eat at the on-site café.
