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Grand Canyon National Park, USA: Travel Guide to One of the World's Great Natural Wonders

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, protects one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon stretches about 446 kilometres, reaches up to 29 kilometres wide and plunges more than 1.8 kilometres deep, exposing rock layers nearly two billion years old. A national park since 1919 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Grand Canyon attracts millions of visitors each year with breathtaking viewpoints, legendary hiking trails and unforgettable sunsets.

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Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Grand Canyon National Park

1. South Rim Viewpoints: Mather Point and the Rim Trail

The South Rim, open all year, is the most accessible and popular part of the park. Near the main visitor centre, Mather Point offers a first breathtaking view of the canyon. From there, the Rim Trail follows the edge of the canyon for about 21 kilometres, mostly paved and flat, connecting viewpoints, historic buildings and the Yavapai Geology Museum, where panoramic windows and exhibits explain how the canyon was formed. In Grand Canyon Village, the historic El Tovar Hotel, opened in 1905, and the Hopi House, designed by architect Mary Colter, reflect the park's early tourism history.

Booking tip: guided tours of the South Rim, including from Las Vegas, Sedona and Flagstaff, can be booked on GetYourGuide.

2. Hermit Road and Desert View Drive

West of the village, Hermit Road runs for about 11 kilometres along the rim to Hermits Rest, with stunning viewpoints such as Hopi Point, one of the best places to watch the sunset, and Mohave Point, with views of the Colorado River. From March to November, the road is served by free park shuttle buses. To the east, Desert View Drive leads to the Desert View Watchtower, a stone tower built in 1932 by Mary Colter, with murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie and sweeping views of the canyon and the Painted Desert.

Booking tip: arrive at Hopi Point at least 30 minutes before sunset to find a good spot.

3. Hiking into the Canyon: Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails

Hiking below the rim reveals the canyon's true scale. The Bright Angel Trail descends with shaded rest houses and water stations in season, while the steeper South Kaibab Trail offers spectacular ridge-top views, with Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge making good turnaround points for day hikers. Experienced hikers with permits can continue to Phantom Ranch, a historic lodge at the bottom of the canyon, also reachable by mule ride.

Booking tip: never attempt to hike to the river and back in one day, especially in summer, when temperatures in the inner canyon can exceed 40°C. Remember that the hike back up takes twice as long as the descent.

4. The North Rim

The quieter, higher North Rim is open seasonally, usually from mid-May to mid-October. In 2025, the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other buildings. The North Rim reopened for the 2026 summer season with limited services, including roads to scenic viewpoints such as Point Imperial and Cape Royal, but no drinking water was available, so visitors must bring their own.

Booking tip: check the latest North Rim status on the National Park Service website before visiting.

5. Grand Canyon West, Helicopter Tours and Rafting

Outside the national park, on the land of the Hualapai Tribe, Grand Canyon West is home to the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extending over the canyon about 1,200 metres above the floor. It's the closest part of the canyon to Las Vegas, about two and a half hours away. Helicopter tours offer unforgettable aerial views, while multi-day rafting trips on the Colorado River are a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Booking tip: Skywalk tours and helicopter flights from Las Vegas can be booked on GetYourGuide.

Practical Travel Tips for Grand Canyon National Park

Before You Go

  • Entrance fees: a private vehicle pass costs USD 35 and is valid for seven days. Since 1 January 2026, international visitors aged 16 and over pay an additional USD 100 surcharge per person, unless they have the USD 250 non-resident America the Beautiful annual pass.
  • Entry: most visitors from visa-waiver countries need an ESTA to enter the United States.
  • Altitude and weather: the South Rim is about 2,100 metres high, and winters can be snowy.

Getting Around

  • By car: the South Rim is about 1.5 hours from Flagstaff and 4.5 hours from Las Vegas.
  • By train: the Grand Canyon Railway runs from Williams to the South Rim.
  • Shuttle buses: free park shuttles run along the rim.
  • Money: the currency is the US dollar.

Local Culinary Specialties

  • Navajo tacos: frybread topped with beans, meat and vegetables.
  • Southwestern cuisine: chilli, enchiladas and prickly pear specialities.
  • El Tovar Dining Room: classic dining on the rim.

Best Time to Visit

  • March–May and September–November: pleasant temperatures.
  • June–August: busy and hot, with afternoon thunderstorms.
  • Winter: quieter, with snow on the South Rim.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon combines breathtaking viewpoints, world-class hiking and unforgettable sunsets.

Plan ahead: check entrance fees and park updates, book your tours on GetYourGuide and get ready to discover the Grand Canyon.