Things to do in Grand Canyon National Park
A vast Colorado River canyon system where layered desert rock drops nearly a mile from forested rims to the inner gorge.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Grand Canyon National Park
Bright Angel TrailDo not miss
The historic corridor trail gives a classic, shaded-at-times descent into the canyon with water stops in season.
Hike · 5 hr4.9
Mather PointDo not miss
This easily reached overlook gives many first-time visitors their classic wide-open first view into the canyon.
Viewpoint · 53 min4.9
Desert View WatchtowerDo not miss
Mary Colter's stone tower frames huge views toward the Colorado River, Painted Desert, and eastern canyon.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.8
South Kaibab TrailDo not miss
The exposed ridge trail delivers the park's most dramatic below-rim day-hike views almost immediately.
Hike · 4.5 hr4.8
Cape Royal
The end-of-road overlook has one of the North Rim's grandest panoramas, including Angels Window and broad canyon bends.
Viewpoint · 1.5 hr5
North Kaibab Trail
The North Rim corridor trail descends through forest, cliffs, and canyon layers toward Roaring Springs and the inner canyon.
Hike · 5 hr5
Rim Trail
The mostly level rim path lets visitors sample viewpoints on foot without committing to a below-rim hike.
Hike · 2 hr5
Shoshone Point
A short forest walk reaches a quieter promontory that feels surprisingly removed from the main rim crowds.
Hike · 1.6 hr5
Grandview Point
The overlook gives a sweeping look into Horseshoe Mesa and the more rugged eastern South Rim.
Viewpoint · 45 min4.9
Hopi Point
One of the premier sunset spots on the South Rim, with broad canyon exposure and glimpses of the Colorado River.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.9
Point Imperial
The park's highest overlook looks across Marble Canyon, the Painted Desert, and a very different canyon landscape.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.9
Tuweep Overlook
A remote, permit-controlled overlook drops almost vertically to the Colorado River for a wild, uncrowded canyon experience.
Viewpoint · 8 hr4.9
Desert View Drive
The east entrance road strings together quieter overlooks and changing canyon angles between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View.
Scenic Drive · 2.8 hr4.8
Grand Canyon Village
Historic lodges, studios, rail heritage, museums, shuttle hubs, and rim views make the village the park's cultural core.
Other · 2.3 hr4.8
And 3 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- The park protects one of the world's most recognizable landscapes: immense canyon views, geologic time exposed in color, rim-to-river trails, and sunrise-to-sunset light.