😍 Best Things to Do at the Grand Canyon | TOP 10 + Map + Itineraries |

Things to do at the Grand Canyon: TOP 10

1. Visit Grand Canyon Village

The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the few national parks in the U.S. that has a town within its boundaries, just like Yosemite and Yellowstone. Grand Canyon Village, aside from being one of the places to stay in the Grand Canyon —since it’s home to six hotels (several of which are historic)—offers all the necessary amenities (visitor centers, restaurants, a supermarket, an ATM, etc.).

It's true that this is the most touristy area on the entire South Rim, but keep in mind that this town was founded in 1901 with the arrival of the first steam train in the area, and we're lucky that so many historic buildings have been preserved.

So, be sure to visit what's known as the Village Historic District, where you can stroll among true architectural gems such as the El Tovar Hotel, the Bright Angel Lodge, Verkamp's Visitor Center, Hopi House, Lookout Studio, and the train station.

Aside from the historical aspects, here you don't want to miss 2 of the most famous views of Grand Canyon: Mather Point and Yavapai Point. They're both some of the best tourist attractions in the Grand Canyon and despite they're crowded, they'are perfect for watching the sunrise (though they also offer beautiful sunsets).

2. Drive along Desert View Drive and go up to the Watchtower

Desert View is the easternmost area of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is traversed by Desert View Drive, a 37-kilometer (23-mile) road connecting the East Entrance with Grand Canyon Village. Unless it’s closed due to snow in the winter, you can drive along it year-round in a private vehicle, making it a delight to stop at its various overlooks at your own pace.

⚠️ There is no free shuttle that covers the entire length of this road. Only the orange line stops at the first two overlooks (Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista); for the rest, you’ll need to use a private vehicle or take a bus tour, which you can book at Grand Canyon Village

Here's a list of the places you should stop at along this road, along with what each one has to offer and our personal rating:

• ⭐⭐⭐Yaki Point: the only overlook that isn't accessible by car—you can only get there via the orange shuttle line. It offers views of the eastern part of the canyon, with the Desert View Watchtower in the distance. It's popular at sunrise and sunset.
• ⭐⭐Pipe Creek Vista: beautiful views of the canyon.
• ⭐⭐Duck on a Rock: a lookout point offering views of a rock formation that might resemble a duck.
• ⭐⭐⭐Grandview Point: panoramic, sweeping views of the Grand Canyon; you can see the Colorado River winding its way through the canyon. This is where the Grandview Trail begins.
• ⭐⭐Moran Point: a spot from which to admire the various layers that make up the canyon's rock walls, offering a very colorful view.
• ⭐Tusayan Pueblo Site: ruins of a Native American village of the Puebloan people, featuring a market where local crafts are sold.
• ⭐⭐⭐Lipan Point: a lookout point offering views of the Colorado River rapids known as Hance Rapid, the archaeological remains at Unkar Delta, and primary sedimentary strata.
• ⭐⭐⭐Navajo Point: the highest overlook on the South Rim, offering panoramic views of the canyon and the Desert View Watchtower. There is a memorial marking a plane crash that occurred in 1956.
• ⭐⭐⭐Desert View Watchtower: a tower built in 1932 and inspired by traditional Puebloan architecture, offering a unique view of the eastern part of the Grand Canyon. Admission is free, but you must pick up a ticket once you arrive, as only 25 people are allowed in every 20 minutes.

3. Visit the viewpoints along Hermit Road

Hermit Road is one of the most popular roads on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, as its 11 km (7 mi) offer some of the most breathtaking views in the national park. As a result, for much of the year—specifically from March 1 through November 30— access to private vehicles is restricted, and you must use the red shuttle line to travel along the road.

💡 Recommended: How to visit the Grand Canyon | Guide + Tips + Map |

There are 9 overlooks along Hermit Road. Below you can see a little about each one so you can choose which ones to visit if you don’t have time to stop at all of them, along with our personal recommendations. Keep in mind that the bus stops at all of them, although you can also connect some of them on foot by following the Rim Trail.

• ⭐Trailview Overlook: views of the winding Bright Angel Trail and the Grand Canyon Village historic district.
• ⭐⭐Maricopa Point: panoramic views of the canyon; in the distance, you can see an old copper and uranium mine.
• ⭐⭐Powell Point: panoramic views of the canyon. Here stands the Powell Memorial, a monument dedicated to John Wesley Powell’s expeditions down the Colorado River.
• ⭐⭐⭐Hopi Point: one of the most popular overlooks, especially at sunset and sunrise, thanks to its sweeping views of the canyon. You can see the Colorado River to the west.
• ⭐⭐⭐Mohave Point: another popular viewpoint for sunsets and sunrises, offering spectacular views, including a view of the Colorado River.
• ⭐⭐The Abyss: a very close-up view of the canyon, where you can see its vertical walls and Monument Creek.
• ⭐⭐Monument Creek Vista: similar views to the previous one. This is where the Greenway Trail begins, an easy, paved path that is wheelchair-accessible.
• ⭐⭐⭐Pima Point: a unique viewpoint to take in the Colorado River; you can even hear the waters of Granite Rapids.
• ⭐⭐Hermits Rest: this building, constructed in 1914, offers scenic views, a gift shop, and a cafe. It’s the perfect place to stop and take a break.

4. Hike some of the best trails in the Grand Canyon

Hiking is one of the best things to do at the Grand Canyon, but the extreme weather and temperature differences between the rim and the bottom of the canyon mean there are several things to keep in mind before setting out. The park’s own website states that more than 300 hikers are rescued here every year!

• 🥾 It isn't recommended to hike the round-trip route from the edge of the canyon to the bottom in a single day, especially from May through September. Temperatures inside the canyon reach nearly 40ºC (104ºF) during the summer months.
• 🚰 Bring plenty of water and enough food to keep your energy up during your hike. It’s a good idea to bring a water purification treatment, just in case you need to refill your bottle from a stream along the way.
• 🧴Don't forget your sunscreen, cap or hat, flashlight, and a light jacket.
• 🗺️ Make sure to download all the maps to your phone, since you're very likely to lose cell service.

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Best hikes in the Grand Canyon

Below is a summary table of the best hiking trails in the Grand Canyon, focusing on the South Rim (the area that receives 90% of visitors). But first...

👉🏼 If you only have one day and want to take a relatively short but scenic hike, we have no doubt that you should choose the South Kaibab Trail—but only go as far as Ooh Aah Point (3 km (1.9 mi) round-trip) or Cedar Ridge (4.8 km (3 mi) round-trip) and then turn back. The views from both lookouts are breathtaking, though keep in mind that the return trip is all uphill (340 meters (1,115 feet) of elevation gain) and there’s no water or shade along the way.

🥾 If you’re interested in a multi-day hike, a good option is to hike the entire South Kaibab Trail on the first day to reach the bottom of the canyon, spend the night at Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch, and hike back up the Bright Angel Trail the next day. Although this route is longer, the ascent is more gradual, offers spots with shade and water, and gives you different views on the way back.

Of course, this option requires quite a bit of planning, since to spend the night at the campground you must obtain a Backcountry Permit (you must apply to the lottery through this link). To stay at the ranch, you must also enter this lottery 15 months before the date you want to go.

5. Take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon

Without a doubt, one of the most popular activities at the Grand Canyon is taking a helicopter tour. As you can imagine, it’s not cheap, but there’s no question that the views you’ll enjoy from the air will stay with you forever.

Let us explain a few things you should keep in mind if you've decided to do this activity, so you can choose the option that works best for you:

• The only tours that fly over the South Rim and North Rim of the Grand Canyon (the areas that are part of the national park) are those that depart from the airport in Tusayan (the town just before the South Entrance). ➡️ If you’re interested in this option, this Grand Canyon helicopter tour is perfect.

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• You'll find plenty of helicopter tours departing from Las Vegas, but these fly over the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is not part of the national park but belongs to the Hualapai Nation. ➡️ This Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas includes views of the Strip, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
• Flights within the national park are prohibited from landing at the bottom of the canyon. If you’re looking for a flight that includes a landing, you’ll need to take one from Las Vegas or Boulder City. ➡️ With this Grand Canyon helicopter tour + landing, you’ll also fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, enjoying a 30-minute meal with champagne at the bottom of the canyon.
• Flights in a small airplane are cheaper than helicopter flights, since they can carry more passengers. ➡️ If you prefer this option to save money, check out this airplane tour over the Grand Canyon.

6. Watch the sunrise and/or sunset at the Grand Canyon

If you've decided to stay overnight in Grand Canyon National Park, in Tusayan, or if you don't mind getting up very early to watch the sunrise or leaving the park very late to catch the sunset, you're probably wondering which are the best viewpoints for doing so.

💡 On the page of the national park, you can check the exact times of sunrise and sunset throughout the year, so you can plan your visit accordingly:

• Sunrise: arrive 30 minutes early and stay for 1 hour to really enjoy the colors.
• Sunset: arrive 60 minutes early and stay for at least 30 minutes after the sun has set.

Actually, any viewpoint is good, but there are some that are better than others because of the perspective they offer and their orientation:

7. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway

Even if you have a rental car in the United States, if you want to get to the Grand Canyon in the most epic way possible, then you have to hop on the Grand Canyon Railway. It’s one of the most famous historic trains in the American West and was inaugurated in 1901 to connect Williams with the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The train departs from historic Williams Station every day at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. in November and December) and travels 100 km (62 mi) through the beautiful landscapes of northern Arizona for just over 2 hours until it reaches Grand Canyon Village, all accompanied by live music, a Western atmosphere, and historical performances to further transport you back in time.

8. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which—like the South Rim—is part of the national park, receives only 10% of the visitors. Although you can hike from one rim to the other along the famous Rim-to-Rim Trail (39 km or 24 mi), which we mentioned in the hiking section, if you want to drive, the distance is 354 km (220 mi), which translates to about 4 hours behind the wheel.

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The North Rim has far fewer amenities and infrastructure compared to the South Rim. In addition, in the summer of 2025, a severe wildfire (the Dragon Bravo Fire) swept through nearly 60,000 ha and destroyed the only hotel in the area.

That doesn't mean it isn't worth it—quite the opposite: from here, you can see the canyon's rock formations up close, and there are equally impressive viewpoints. Plus, there are very few visitors! You can also hike several trails, such as the North Kaibab Trail, which descends to the bottom of the canyon. Here is a list of all the available trails.

9. Visit the Skywalk, the famous glass walkway at the Grand Canyon

You’ve probably seen photos of a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge suspended over the Grand Canyon. This is the Skywalk, and it’s actually part of the West Rim rather than the national park, as it’s an area administered by the Hualapai Tribe. For this reason, it’s managed completely independently from the national park, and admission is charged separately.

In our opinion, the West Rim is the ideal place to visit from Las Vegas if you don't have time to make it all the way to the park, since it's 210 km (130 mi) from the Sin City (about a 2-hour, 20-minute drive).

For this reason, almost all tours to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas focus on this area, such as this tour to Grand Canyon West + Hoover Dam from Las Vegas. You can also book a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon + Skywalk; the helicopter lands at the West Rim heliport so you can visit the glass walkway.

If you're definitely planning to visit the South Rim on your Southwest road trip, in our opinion, it's not worth going to the West Rim as well, since the price is quite high for what it offers and it's a very touristy area.

ℹ️ You can purchase the pass with full access to Grand Canyon West here (includes the Skywalk)

10. Go river rafting in the Grand Canyon

Rafting down the Colorado River is undoubtedly one of the most exciting ways to explore the Grand Canyon. Navigating rapids of varying difficulty levels beneath cliffs over 1,500 meters (4,920 ft) high is a truly unforgettable experience that offers a very different perspective.

However, it’s not all so idyllic— there are no rafting trips lasting just a few hours within the national park. These are multi-day expeditions (lasting 3 to 18 days) that cover a large portion of the river and traverse the park, navigating rapids and camping along the riverbanks. You can do this through authorized companies or on your own, but in the latter case, you must win a permit through a lottery. You can find all the information on this page of the park’s website.

If you're interested in day trips, your best bet is to head to Page, where you can book a Colorado River half-day rafting tour and pass by the famous Horseshoe Bend—though you won't actually enter the national park. The river is fairly calm in this area, so you can even go kayaking there.

Another option is to go to Peach Springs, the home of the Hualapai Nation, which is located within the West Rim. In this case, you can go rafting on the Colorado River and visit the Skywalk—an amazing but also expensive activity. Also, the rapids in this area are stronger, so the experience is more adventurous than in Page.

Best views at the Grand Canyon

We've already told you about the best viewpoints for watching the sunrise and sunset, but regardless of the time of day—and to give you a clear overview—these are the viewpoints you can't miss on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:

• In Hermit Road: Hopi Point (sunset), Mohave Point and Pima Point.
• In Grand Canyon Village: Mather Point and Yavapai Point (perfect for both sunrise and sunset).
• In Desert View Drive: Yaki Point (sunrise), Shoshone Point (sunset), Desert View Watchtower and Navajo Point.
• Inner Canyon (the area between the rim and the bottom of the canyon): Ooh Aah Point.

Things to do at Grand Canyon NP in half a day

If you only have half a day to visit the Grand Canyon, here's what we would do, assuming you enter through the South Entrance (if you enter through the East Entrance, you'll have to change the order):

1. Grand Canyon Visitor Center (park here)
2. Mather Point and Yavapai Point (orange shuttle)
3. Hermit Road (blue + red shuttle). Must-stops: Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and Pima Point.
4. Desert View Road by car. Must-stops: Grandview Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, and Desert View Watchtower

Another option is to simply enjoy the panoramic views from above by booking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour like this one, which departs from Tusayan Airport.

Things to do at Grand Canyon NP in 1 day

We recommend to spend at least a full day to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You can explore several overlooks, hike some of the more accessible trails, visit the visitor center, and enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset. Here’s the itinerary we’d follow, assuming you enter through the South Entrance (if you enter through the East Entrance, you’ll need to change the order):

1. Grand Canyon Visitor Center (park here)
2. South Kaibab Trail (orange shuttle). Hike down to the Ooh Aah Point (3 km (1.86 mi) round trip)
3. Village Historic District (orange + blue shuttles)
4. Hermit Road (red shuttle). Must-stops: Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and Pima Point
5. Desert View Road by car. Must-stops: Grandview Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, and Desert View Watchtower. You can stay here to watch the sunset.

Another option would be to combine a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon with stops to the best viewpoints on the South Rim, for a truly comprehensive experience.

Things to do at Grand Canyon NP in 2 days

If you have 2 days to visit the Grand Canyon, you can spend both of them at the South Rim by following this itinerary:

Day 1 at the Grand Canyon

1. Helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon (departing from Tusayan Airport)
2. Grand Canyon Visitor Center (park here)
3. Mather Point and Yavapai Point (orange shuttle)
4. Village Historic District (orange + blue shuttles)
5. Hermit Road (red shuttle). Must-stops: Hopi Point, Mohave Point, and Pima Point.
6. Sunset at Hopi Point
7. Overnight stay in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan ➡️ Check out our post on where to stay at the Grand Canyon

Day 2 at the Grand Canyon

1. Sunrise at Yaki Point (orange shuttle)
2. South Kaibab Trail (orange shuttle). Hike down to the Ooh Aah Point (3 km (1.86 mi) round trip) and Cedar Ridge (4.8 km (3 mi) round trip)
3. Shoshone Point by car + 1.6 km (1 mi) one-way
4. Desert View Road by car. Must-stops: Grandview Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, and Desert View Watchtower

Another option would be to visit the South Rim and the North Rim. On the first day, you can follow the itinerary for things to do in one day at the Grand Canyon, and on the second day, you can drive to the North Rim (a 4-hour drive) and spend the afternoon enjoying its viewpoints.

Map of places to see in the Grand Canyon

On this map, we've listed all the places to visit in the Grand Canyon, including scenic overlooks, hiking trails, lodging options, etc.

FAQs about things to do at the Grand Canyon

What are the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon?

Each overlook offers a different perspective, but the ones that offer some of the best views are Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point, Ooh Aah Point, Shoshone Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point, Grandview Point, and Desert View Watchtower.

What is the best viewpoint for watching the sunrise at the Grand Canyon?

The best viewpoints for watching the sunrise—thanks to their orientation and panoramic views—are Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Yaki Point, Ooh Aah Point, and Grandview Point.

What's the best viewpoint for watching the sunset at the Grand Canyon?

The best viewpoints for watching the sunset—thanks to their orientation and panoramic views—are Shoshone Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point, and Desertview Watchtower.

What are the must-see sights at the Grand Canyon?

If this is your first visit, you should drive along Desert View Drive (visiting the Desert View Watchtower), stop in overlooks like Mather Point and Yavapai Point, drive along Hermit Road, watch the sunrise or sunset, and hike at least a section of one of its trails, such as the South Kaibab Trail.

What can you do at the Grand Canyon besides visiting the overlooks?

In addition to visiting its overlooks, you can go hiking, take a helicopter tour, climb the Desert View Watchtower, visit the historic buildings in the Village Historic District, or gaze at one of the most breathtaking starry skies in the United States.

Is it possible to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in one day?

It is possible, but not recommended for most visitors. Although some experienced hikers complete the hike in a single day, the National Park Service advises against descending to the Colorado River and returning the same day due to the elevation gain, high temperatures, and the physical exertion involved. It’s best to spend a night at the bottom of the canyon.

What is the best hiking trail in the Grand Canyon?

It depends on your experience and how much time you have. The Rim Trail is perfect for all levels, while the South Kaibab Trail offers some of the best panoramic views in the park. If you're looking for a longer, more challenging route, take the South Kaibab Trail down and hike back up via the Bright Angel Trail (ideally spending the night at the bottom of the canyon).

Is a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon worth it?

Yes, especially if it's your first visit and you're looking for a different kind of experience. A helicopter ride lets you appreciate the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon from a unique perspective, although it's also one of the most expensive activities you can do in the park.

Is it possible to visit the Grand Canyon without hiking?

Yes. Most of the main overlooks are easily accessible by car or via the free shuttle buses, so it's possible to enjoy the park without having to go on long hikes.

We hope you found this post—which covers everything there is to see and do at the Grand Canyon—helpful!