The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic natural features in the United States. Grand Canyon National Park is a breathtaking, vast display of Mother Nature’s forces.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, look no further than Grand Canyon National Park! This stunning park is home to some of the most amazing scenery in the country, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Although there are plenty of things to do in Grand Canyon National Park, hiking in it is one of the most common things that come to people’s minds. Even though taking a hike can be breathtaking and is worth the time, there are many other things to do in Grand Canyon as well.
Whether you’re a hiker, a thrill-seeker, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Grand Canyon National Park is sure to impress. Here are 13 of the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park!
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Things to Know Before Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
Are you psyched about the chance to see some of these stunning destinations within one of America’s most well-known national parks? There are a couple of things you should know before setting out.
Entrance Fee
First, there is an entry fee to get into some of the national parks in America, including Grand Canyon. The entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 for private vehicles. If you ride in on a motorcycle, expect a fee of $30. Pedestrians are encouraged with an even smaller fee of $20 per person. These entrance fees are valid for 7 days.
In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.
It’s a great tool if you’re visiting more national parks in Arizona or Utah.
How to Get to Grand Canyon National Park
You can get there by taking either Highway 64 or Highway 67. These will lead you to the main gateway of Grand Canyon National Park.
The closest airports are Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Where to Stay in Grand Canyon National Park
There are places to stay in and around the national park. Campgrounds include Mather, Trailer Village, Desert View, and the North Rim. You can also stay at one of the many lodges in Grand Canyon Village, including Bright Angel Lodge. At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you can also stay near Phantom Ranch. My guide to visiting Grand Canyon has more information on where to stay.
What to Bring
Finally, and we can’t stress this enough, pack wisely for this trip. You are in the desert and by respecting this environment, you will in turn respect yourself. Keep yourself safe and comfortable to enjoy this national park to its fullest!
Hiking boots: Shoes that are good for hiking and have ankle support.
Sunscreen: The UV rays in Grand Canyon can be intense, even on cloudy days.
Bug spray: There are a lot of bugs in the park, especially near water sources.
Yaktrax: Helpful for snowy conditions.
Rain gear: The weather can change quickly in Grand Canyon, no matter the time of year. Bring a raincoat and/or umbrella just in case!
Layers: Grand Canyon’s temperatures can fluctuate a lot, so it’s best to dress in layers.
Snacks: There are limited food options inside the park, so bring your own snacks!
Camera: You’ll want to capture the beauty of Grand Canyon National Park in photos!
Water bottle: Stay hydrated while hiking around the park!
Hat: You’ll need protection from the sun and bugs.
Binoculars: Bring binoculars if you want to view wildlife in the park.
First-aid kit: You never know if you might get a cut or scrape while hiking.
Flashlight: This is helpful for late-night hikes in Grand Canyon!
Map: Bring a physical map for navigating the park.
Face mask: Masks may be required inside federal buildings and on park shuttles.
The Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
Are you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon? Here are our top picks out of the many incredible things to do when visiting Grand Canyon National Park.
1. Go on the Desert View Drive
This is one thing you can do that doesn’t take too much energy but still allows you to get a good view into the canyon. If you have access to a vehicle, then you can take advantage of this stunning drive around the Grand Canyon’s south rim.
The entire drive is more than 20 miles in total, perfect for a scenic route without overcommitting to a tiring drive. Plus, it’s one of the most scenic drives in the national parks.
You can quickly get to the drive when you enter Grand Canyon National Park through the South Entrance. Then, follow the route from the Grand Canyon Village through the park’s East Entrance.
Some of the natural features you will see along this route include the Colorado River. This was the original shaper and changer of what we know as the Grand Canyon today.
In addition, several highlight points are along the way, including Moran Point, Grandview Point, Mather Point, Navajo Points, Yavapai Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, Hermits Rest, and Yaki Point. These are some of the best places to see the sunset at Grand Canyon National Park.
If you don’t have a car, you can also take the Grand Canyon shuttle bus!
2. Take in the Toroweap Overlook
The Toroweap Overlook is a stunning overlook into the Grand Canyon with inspiring views across the Colorado River. This overlook is one of the quieter ones along the Grand Canyon’s north rim.
If you want to take a hike or stretch your legs out after your drive over to the overlook, there are quite a few trails you can use to explore the wider region. If you want to stay in the area, you can camp overnight at the Tuweep Campground.
3. Ride Mules Through the Grand Canyon
There is more than one way to explore the Grand Canyon. You don’t only have to use your feet to get down to the bottom where the river originally carved stone. You can also take a mule ride to get down the trail with a little more ease.
Why do tour companies use mule trips instead of horses to take the trail down? Mules tend to be steadier and have sure feet. They are also more capable of carrying more weight into the canyon, which is essential when it comes to the amount of water your tour entourage will need.
4. Raft Wild Water Rapids Through the National Park
Rafting trips are one of the most popular things to do in Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River was the shaping force for the Grand Canyon and is still powerfully flowing through the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The best time to go white water rafting on the Colorado River is spring. When the season starts to change, the snow melts from the top of the Rockies, causing the Colorado River to gain some height. You get to glimpse the Grand Canyon from its most influential force, floating by the carved giants along the river.
5. Go for a Day Hike
Without a doubt, hiking is one of the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park. While you don’t have to rely on hikes for your daily Grand Canyon National Park activities, certain trails are well worth the time.
Many of the best-known trails in this park are pretty long. However, you don’t have to do the entire thing to get stunning views and a good amount of exercise. Hiking even a few yards below the rim will give you a different view than most people experience.
Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail is a heavily trafficked trail and one of the best options for hiking from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Corado River. It is best when done from October to May. This is because of the intense heat during the summer. The trail is 15.3 miles total but is out-and-back, so you can go as far as you are comfortable before turning around again.
South Kaibab Trail
The South Kaibab Trail is one of the most well-defined dirt trails that run through Grand Canyon National Park. It allows you to get panoramic views into and around the canyon as well. It is another out-and-back trail whose 5.8-mile length lends itself well to early morning hikes throughout the year or traveling from November to March.
Be careful on this trail since it is very open. It offers very little protection from heat and passing storms. It takes about 4 to 6 hours to make this trail on average, so be sure to pack enough water and food in your hiking backpack.
Rim-to-Rim Trail
The Rim-to-Rim trail is perhaps one of the most well-known and one of the most challenging trails in the park. You hike from North Kaibab on one side to the Grand Canyon Village on the other side. It is a 24-mile long trail that is heavily trafficked during the spring and fall, which are the safest months to hike this trail.
Although 24 miles isn’t too far for some people, the possible dangers you could encounter along this trail make it very precarious. Only fit and experienced hikers should take this on. Even then, they should have a well-thought-out plan.
6. Take a Train into the Grand Canyon
Another excellent way you can explore this popular national park is by train. You get to experience more than the adventure that the park offers. This experience allows you to sightsee on your vacation from a more historical view.
The train through Grand Canyon National Park is the Grand Canyon Railway. You will start your trip from Williams, Arizona, just outside the Grand Canyon. They combine the train ride with western musicians and cowboy characters. There are several different packages available.
7. Head to the Desert View Watchtower
The Grand Canyon is full of ancestral history. Although there are remnants and ruins throughout Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding area, there has also been more recent construction built to honor the historical people that lived in the area.
The Desert View Watchtower was designed and constructed in 1932 by the architect Mary Colter. The architecture is meant to honor the ancestral Puebloan people that made their home on the Colorado Plateau. The view gives visitors a unique perspective along the eastern side of the Grand Canyon.
8. Get Rid of a Fear of Heights at the Grand Canyon Skywalk at Eagle Point
The Grand Canyon is also a great place to confront your fear of heights without having to put yourself in any danger. Located on the Grand Canyon West Rim, the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon is a horseshoe-shaped piece of engineering that functions as a cantilever bridge. It is a glass walkway over Eagle Point, a piece of the Grand Canyon directly above the Colorado River. It is 4,770 feet above sea level and thousands of feet above the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
While not within Grand Canyon National Park boundaries, this is still a popular activity nearby.
Because it is not on national park land, the Skywalk costs extra (in addition to the park entrance fee). There are a variety of passes you can purchase to get on the Skywalk, some of them including other benefits like a meal, zipline, or a VIP tour.
9. Attend a Ranger Program
Want to learn more about Grand Canyon National Park and what makes it special? Join a park ranger for a program! Park Rangers cover a variety of topics, including geology, wildlife, desert ecosystems, history, and more.
10. Become a Junior Ranger
You can also ask park rangers about becoming a junior ranger, a great activity for families and children. Adults can become junior rangers too, if those young at heart would like a badge. Ask a park ranger for a booklet, complete the activities, then turn it in for the ranger to check before they issue the badge.
11. Engage with History on the Trail of Time
The Trail of Time is a short walk that is very accessible for visitors of all mobilities and age groups. It is on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. It starts close to the trailhead from the paved portion of the Rim Trail.
The Trail of Time provides an accessible opportunity for people to interact with the park’s history, making it one of the best things to do in Grand Canyon. It includes stones from some of the oldest portions of the Grand Canyon. These include basalt collected from lava flows around the Grand Canyon more than 500,000 years ago.
12. Spend the Night Under the Stars
Although there are plenty of places to stay around the park, you should consider spending the time outdoors. Camping under the stars takes on a new meaning in dry areas like the Grand Canyon.
Without the typical levels of humidity found in temperate climates, the air is clearer during the depths of the night than anywhere else. As a result, you get a better view of the stars and surrounding galaxies in your tent than you can in many of the other national parks further north.
13. Find Mystery in the Elves Chasm
The Elves Chasm is a spot that seems to transport you out of the dryness and more desolate feeling of the Grand Canyon and into an enchanting grotto. The hike is only a little over one mile long along the river. You head from the beach at the Toltec drainage and up the riverbank. The pool at the bottom of the chasm is ideal for swimming on a hot day, rewarding you at the end of the hike. Do not drink the water from this pool unless you filter and treat it well.
But What About Horseshoe Bend?
While one of the most significant bends in the Colorado River, this is not located in Grand Canyon National Park. It is part of another unit managed by the National Park Service: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Arizona.
Pin the Top Things to Do in Grand Canyon National Park
There are plenty of things to do in Grand Canyon National Park, making it a great destination for visitors of all ages. What are some of your favorite things to do in the park?
A special thanks to Jennifer Schultz from Outforia for their contributions to this post.
