The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of the most incredible places on earth – full on incredible experiences and things to do. Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The epic views here are unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in the world.
I first visited the Grand Canyon as a 19 year old and (foolishly) backpacked to the bottom of it with no advance preparation on a whim with some friends! I made it back out alive and have returned many times (with more advance planning!). Here’s the my top recommendations for things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Things to Know Before Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- The Best Guide Book: James Kaiser is the proverbial bees knees in this department. I love all of his National Park guides and his Grand Canyon Guide is no exception.
- The Best Grand Canyon Map: I like this map best for Grand Canyon National Park.
- Sunscreen: Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one which I never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth 🙂
Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Table of Contents: Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Table of Contents: South Rim of the Grand Canyon Activities
- Things to Know Before Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Top 10 Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- 6. Cruise the Scenic Desert View Drive
- 7. Hike the South Kaibab Trail
- 8. Walk the Trail of Time
- 9. Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum
- 10. Drive Hermit Road (West Rim Road)
- 11. Watch the Grand Canyon IMAX Movie
- 12. Take a Helicopter Flight from the Grand Canyon South Rim
- 13. Ride a Mule into the Grand Canyon
- 14. Discover the Tusayan Ruin
- 15. Visit the Desert View Watchtower
- 16. Take a Guided Ranger Tour
- Know the Four Regions of the Grand Canyon
- Best Time to Visit the South Rim
- Map of the Best Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Where to Stay at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Summary of Best Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Visiting the south rim of the Grand Canyon? Here’s my favorite hotel.
1. Sunset from Desert View
- Location: East Rim
- Features: Overlooks, Family Friendly, Sunset
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Maybe this one is a bit sentimental for me but I think there’s no better way to cap a day at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon than soaking in an epic sunset from Desert View. I recall doing this with my brother and dad many years back and thinking that it was the absolute perfect evening.
From Desert View you can see all the way down to the Colorado River in the distance. During sunset, the canyon lights up with vivid hues of red and purple that seem to last forever.
For the best views, I recommend going just past the Desert View Watchtower where you’ll see benches and a railing. Be sure to show up about 30 minutes before sunset to soak in the whole show and get the best spot. This is one of the best things to do in the Grand Canyon for folks with ADA needs as the area is accessible.
2. Peer Down from Mather Point (& Other South Rim Viewpoints)
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Overlooks, Family Friendly
Must do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon because:
Stepping out onto Mather Point for the first time and getting “the view” of the Grand Canyon is a right of passage for every national park lover out there. Mather Point is a quintessential American viewpoint featuring one of our most prized national treasures. As far as the best things to do at the Grand Canyon go, this is an absolute must for everyone visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time.
With that being said, the South Rim is chocked full of stunning overlooks and viewpoints, most of which are far less crowded than Mather Point which can feel like the opening seconds of Walmart on Black Friday.
Other great South Rim Viewpoints include:
- Mary Coulter’s Lookout Studio
- Bright Angel Trailhead
- Yavapai Point
- Pipe Creek Vista
- South Kaibab Trailhead
- Yaki Point
- Shosone Point
- Grandview Point
3. Camp (or Lodge) at the Bottom of the Grand Canyon
- Location: Canyon Floor
- Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
The ultimate South Rim Grand Canyon adventure is hiking all the way down to the bottom, and then of course back up again. To do so requires an overnight trip on the canyon floor which is always going to be the memory of a lifetime.
For me, I attempted this many moons ago as a strapping 18 year old lad not having any clue what I was doing. As a result of that harrowing trip, I now have all the wisdom of what not to do, which includes: starting late in the day, packing 80lbs of mostly useless junk in your backpack, wearing terrible sandals, jumping into the river at the bottom, and more!
We hiked down the incredible South Kaibab Trail which features a steep descent with dramatic, sheer drop offs and back up the historic Bright Angel Trail. I’d recommend this route for folks with good knees!
Staying overnight at the bottom of the Grand Canyon requires a special permit and lots of planning. If interested, you should first chat with a ranger at the backcountry office! You can either camp at the bottom or rent a room/cabin at the historic Phantom Ranch lodge.
NOTE: Temperatures at the bottom of the canyon are often 20 degrees hotter than those at the rim so plan accordingly!
4. See Ooh Aah Point
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Seeing Ooh Aah Point was one of the the highlights of our hike to the bottom and easily one of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim. From the aptly named Ooh Aah Point, you’ll have sweeping (and unobstructed) panoramic vistas unlike any others in the park as the views here are from within the canyon itself.
Seeing these views doesn’t come without a bit of a price tag. Getting to Ooh Aah Point requires a bit of an effort and returning from it requires about twice as much since it’s all uphill the whole way back. The point itself is located about .9 miles down the South Kaibab Trail from the trailhead, roughly 600 feet below the canyon rim. A wooden sign marks the spot which can’t be missed.
5. Hike the Famous Bright Angel Trail
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Hiking Trails, Adventure, Overlooks
One of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim because:
The Bright Angel Trail is the ultimate Grand Canyon South Rim trail and one of the greatest, most famous trails in the entire world. Hiking at least a small portion of this trail should be in consideration for everyone’s list of the best things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
This trail has been used for a very long time – first by Native Americans, then miners, pioneers, and finally tourists. At one point, a toll gate charging $1 admission to the trail was set up on Bright Angel by a nefarious fortune seeker who went on to become a US Senator (don’t they all).
The trail is 8 miles long (nearly 10 to Phantom Ranch) with a staggering 4,380 feet of elevation each way (similar to the Mt St. Helens summit hike). For reference, that’s significantly more than two One World Trade Centers in elevation!
Hiking any extended (or not so extended) portion of this trail is strenuous and should be done with caution. The way down is deceivingly easy (all downhill) while the way back up can be quite grueling. Water stations are available at the 1.5 mile and 3 mile rest stations as well as Indian Gardens which is basically the halfway point to the Colorado River.
Compared to the South Kaibab Trail which is wide open with panoramic views, the first several miles of Bright Angel offer a more narrow view of the canyon, albeit still spectacular. The good news is that the trail is shaded in the morning and afternoons providing hikers with coverage from the sun.
NOTE: Keep in mind when hiking Bright Angel is that every step down is one that must be taken up. A good rule of thumb is that however long it takes you to hike down it will take at least double that amount of time to hike back up.
Top 10 Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
6. Cruise the Scenic Desert View Drive
- Location: South Rim & West Rim
- Features: Overlooks, Driving, Hiking Trails, Family Friendly, Wildlife
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Who knew wildlife viewing is one of the top things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? The first time I realized that there were elk in the park was seeing one cross the road while cruising down Desert View Drive. In fact, I didn’t even realized there was more to the national park than the general Grand Canyon Village area and South Rim the first time I visited.
Desert View Drive has some of the park’s most beautiful scenery and attractions including Desert Viewpoint (one of the best in the park), Desert Watchtower, Navajo Point, Lipan Point (another great one), The Tusayan Museum, Moran Point, Grandview Point, Shoshone Point, Yaki Point, & access to the South Kaibab Trail including Ooh Aah Point.
7. Hike the South Kaibab Trail
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Hiking Trail, Adventure, Overlooks
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
I remember my first time hiking down the Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab trail as a strapping 18 year old lad. While I certainly got in way over my head back then having no clue what I was doing, backpacking to the bottom of the canyon for the night with essential items like my trusty 10 gallon cooking pot, it was a very memorable experience to say the least.
The entire trail is 7.1 miles long with over 4500 feet of elevation gain but visitors should not attempt it without first visiting the rangers at the backcountry office for a required permit and honestly evaluating their own capabilities.
What makes this trail incredible is the dramatic views available here unlike any other trail in the park. The descent is steep with sweeping panoramas at places like Ooh Aah Point.
Popping on the trail for a mile or so, however, is a great way to get down into the canyon and experience some incredible vistas. Just keep in mind that every step down means a step back up!
Note: Personally I don’t recommend this as one of the best things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with kids due to the sheer drop offs. As a parent I’d be having a fresh panic attack with their every step.
8. Walk the Trail of Time
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Historical, Geological, Family Friendly, Accessible, Hiking Trail,Overlooks
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
The Trail of Time is one of the really great interactive things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim (especially with kids) that gives you a real appreciation of the canyon’s epic formation over billions of years. This paved trail starts just behind the Yavapai Geology Museum and is completely accessible.
The first portion of the trail (about 150 yards) covers a span of one million years. The second portion is approximately 2.8 miles and transports you through 2 billion years. Every meter on the second part of the trail represents 1 million years of geologic time in the Grand Canyon.
The trail takes about an hour to complete and provides you with sweeping views of the canyon along the way.
9. Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Historical, Geological, Accessible, Family Friendly, Air Conditioning
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
The Yavapai Geology Museum is one of the many great things to do at the Grand Canyon if you’re exploring the South Rim due to its central location and, let’s face it, air conditioning!
Here at the Yavapai Geology Museum you can learn about the epic geological history of the grand canyon with massive graphics and reliefs while marveling at canyon itself through giant windows. Visiting the museum is a great activity to couple with the Trail of Time.
10. Drive Hermit Road (West Rim Road)
- Location: West Rim
- Features: Overlooks, Hiking Trails, Accessible
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Located on the West Rim (starts at the South Rim), Hermit Road holds some of the best viewpoints and overlooks at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. From March 1 to November 30 the road is only accessible by the park shuttle (red line). During the winter, however, the road opens up to the vehicles of regular visitors like you and me.
Hermit Road is 7 miles long and takes about 15-20 minutes to drive each way depending on how many stops you take. At the end of Hermit Road you’ll reach Hermits Rest which is a great spot to pop out and check out the amazing views.
Grand Canyon viewpoints on Hermit Road include:
- Trail View Overlook
- Maricopa Point
- Powell Point
- Hopi Point
- Mohave Point
- Monument Creek Vista
- Pima Point
- Hermits Rest
11. Watch the Grand Canyon IMAX Movie
- Location: Tusayan, Arizona (South Rim)
- Features: Air Conditioning, Family Friendly, Accessible
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Typically I’m not one for spending time indoors at an outdoor destination. But this one is worth making an exception for, especially during the hot summer. One of the best things to do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for folks looking for a little air conditioning and relaxing is watching the epic Grand Canyon IMAX Movie.
While the theater is technically located outside of the park, about 10 miles (15 minutes) south of the South Entrance in Tusayan, it’s a great addition for families and folks looking for a bit more understanding and appreciation for the Grand Canyon. This is a great activity on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for kids!
Ticket Prices: Adult(Ages 11+ to 54) $13.59 Youth Tickets(6-10) $10.33 Senior(55+) $12.50 Military $12.50
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official Grand Canyon IMAX website.
12. Take a Helicopter Flight from the Grand Canyon South Rim
- Location: South Rim
- Features: Adventure
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
For those looking for unparalleled aerial views and adventure, add a helicopter flight to your list of things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Helicopter tours can be taken from the West Rim, South Rim, and even directly from Las Vegas.
- Best Helicopter Tour from Las Vegas: Golden Eagle Tour by Papillion – $399 per person
- The Best Helicopter Tour from South Rim: Imperial with Ecostar – $449 per person
13. Ride a Mule into the Grand Canyon
- Location: Grand Canyon Village
- Features: Adventure
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
One of the most adventurous things to do at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is riding a mule down into the canyon itself, perhaps all the way to the bottom if you’re up for it. There are mule ride concessionaires located at both the South Rim and North Rim.
South Rim Mule Rides
At the South Rim, two different mule rides are offered by Xanterra:
- 2 Hour Canyon Vistas Mule Ride – $177 per person
- Overnight Mule Ride to Phantom Ranch – $1,231 for the first person or 2 people for $2,233 (I seriously can’t believe it’s this expensive!)
While the whopping price tag for the overnight mule ride might have your wallet reeling, interested parties should know that it does come with overnight accommodations at Phantom Ranch (located at the bottom of the canyon, sack lunches, a steak dinner, and breakfast. There’s also a 2 night option for the mule ride as well.
I’ve got to say, the rates for this service have skyrocketed in recent years making this pretty unattainable for anyone other than the uber-wealthy. I think these prices need to be checked
Book here: Check out Xanterra’s website for more information and to book your South Rim mule ride down into the Grand Canyon.
14. Discover the Tusayan Ruin
- Location: Grand Canyon East Rim
- Features: Historical
Must see at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Seeing the Tusayan Ruin is a great add-on to your list of things to do at the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park East for history buffs. Believe it or not, the Grand Canyon is home to more than 4000 recorded archeological sites dating as far back as 12,000 years ago!
Today, just the base of the construction that happened here is still visible but is a great connection point for people of all ages to the incredible cultural history of the park. It’s estimated that 16 – 20 people lived in this small community.
Be sure to check out the Tusayan Museum while you’re in the area for more great details and to help connect the dots about these amazing people. Getting to this site is easy as it’s located just off Desert View Drive, 7 minutes driving (3.4 miles) down the road from the Desert View complex.
Check out this handy brochure for more information about the Tusayan Ruin at Grand Canyon National Park.
15. Visit the Desert View Watchtower
- Location: Grand Canyon East Rim
- Features: Overlook, Historical
Must see at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Desert View Watchtower is one of the most iconic sites at the Grand Canyon offering some of the best views in the park. Visiting this incredible site is one of the my favorite things to do at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Designed by one of the southwest’s most influential architects, Mary Colter West, Desert View Watchtower was constructed in 1932 and remains in place today.
Her buildings at Grand Canyon include: Desert View Watchtower, Lookout Studio, Hermits Rest, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Lodge, Hopi House, and two employee dormitories – Colter Hall and Victor Hall.
The design is intended to reflect elements of the native tribes and blend with the natural environment of the Grand Canyon. Inside the tower you’ll see beautiful, recently restored murals featuring tribal artwork and pictographs.
At one point the Desert View Watchtower was turned into a gift shop but has since been restored to its original purpose as a scenic rest station for visitors. The tower is 5 stories tall with different experiences on each level.
16. Take a Guided Ranger Tour
Location: South Rim, North Rim, East Rim
Features: Family Friendly
Must do at the Grand Canyon South Rim because:
Ranger talks and guided tours are the kinds of memories one savors for a lifetime. If you’re looking for a great family friendly activity at the south rim of the Grand Canyon then look no further than a classic ranger guided tour.
Every season the National Park Service changes up their offering of ranger guided tours at the Grand Canyon. Availability varies by season with summer and fall being the most popular times to participate in a ranger program.
Examples of the ranger-led activities in the Grand Canyon include:
- Rim walks
- Stargazing
- Coffee with a ranger
- Ranger talks at an amphitheater
Check out the NPS website for current ranger-led activities at the Grand Canyon.
Know the Four Regions of the Grand Canyon
Most folks think of the Grand Canyon in terms of North Rim / South Rim. There’s also an area referred to as Grand Canyon East and Grand Canyon West. In this article I’ve also included some things to do on the East Rim and West Rim because they are so close.
- South Rim: The most popular and most heavily visited section of Grand Canyon National Park is the South Rim area located just beyond the South Rim Entrance Station which includes Mather Point & Grand Canyon Village
- East Rim: The east section refers to the area near the east entrance to Grand Canyon National Park which includes the Desert View Watchtower.
- North Rim: Located across the canyon from the south rim, the north rim of the Grand Canyon has become increasingly popular in recent years as visitation continues to surge. Despite being roughly 10 miles as the crow flies across the canyon, the drive to the north rim from the south rim takes about 4 hours.
- West Rim: Accessed via the South Entrance followed by Hermit Road or West Rim Drive and includes many of the best overlooks in the park.
- Grand Canyon West: Grand Canyon West is the most recently developed section of the Grand Canyon and managed by the Hualapai Tribe rather than the National Park Service. The famous Grand Canyon Skywalk is located here.
Best Time to Visit the South Rim
The best time to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is in the Spring and Fall. I recommend the months of April and September when crowds will be down and temperatures will be pleasant.
Hours of Operation
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 24 hours a day all 365 days of the year.
Map of the Best Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Where to Stay at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
Depending on which parts of the Grand Canyon you’re trying to see will determine the best place place to stay in the park. There are hotels, lodges, and campgrounds located on the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
South Rim Campgrounds & Lodging Options
There are two campgrounds at the South Rim run by the National Park Service:
- Mather Campground – Reservations
- Desert View Campground (East Rim) – Reservations
South Rim Lodging Options
At the South Rim of the Grand Canyon there are two options if you’re looking for hotels. The first, more expensive option is staying at one of the premiere lodges that are located inside the national park at Grand Canyon Village. For those Grand Canyon hotels see the Xanterra page.
The more affordable option is getting a hotel in Tusayan (5-10 minute drive). I’ve compiled a full listing of the best Tusayan hotels.
Interesting Facts About the Grand Canyon South Rim
Click for fun facts about the Grand Canyon!
At it’s deepest point the Grand Canyon is 6,000 feet deep while it averages a depth of 4,000 feet.
At it’s widest point the Grand Canyon is 18 miles across from rim to rim.
Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long with varying widths and depths throughout.
Grand Canyon National Park consists of 1,218,375 acres making it one of the largest national parks outside of Alaska.
Despite being roughly 10 miles as the crow flies across the canyon, the drive to the north rim from the south rim takes about 4 hours.
Summary of Best Things to Do at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Sunset from Desert View
- See Mather Point & South Rim Viewpoints
- Camp or Lodge at the Bottom of the Grand Canyon
- See Ooh Aah Point
- Hike Bright Angel Trail
- Desert View Drive
- South Kaibab Trail
- Trail of Time Walk
- Yavapai Geology Museum
- Hermit Road
- Watch the Grand Canyon IMAX Film
- Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon
- Ride a mule into the Grand Canyon
- Tusayan Ruin
- Visit the Desert View Watchtower
- Ranger Guided Tour
Helpful Related Articles
- Things to Do North Rim Grand Canyon: 15 Epic Things to Do at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon Viewpoints: 20 Best Views of the Grand Canyon (National Park)
- Grand Canyon South Rim Things to Do: 15 Amazing Things to Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim
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- Closest Cities to the Grand Canyon: 10 Closest Cities Near the Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon Facts: 15 Fascinating Grand Canyon National Park Facts
- Desert View Watchtower: Explore the Historic Desert View Watchtower (Grand Canyon)
- Grand Canyon in Winter: Visiting the Grand Canyon in December (Winter Guide)
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