Exploring the Grand Canyon National Park: a guide

Nicknamed the ‘Big Ditch’, it’s the most popular US national park after the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with more than six million people visiting to discover the spectacular views for themselves.

Whether you visit on a Route 66 road trip, a journey around the US national parks, or even on a trip to Las Vegas, even the shortest visit to the Grand Canyon National Park is unforgettable. Here’s all you need to know before you go, with our guide to the Grand Canyon National Park.

Where is the Grand Canyon?

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona, in the south-western US, with a large part of the 277-mile canyon located within the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is set on tribal lands outside the National Park.

Towns and cities near the Grand Canyon

The closest town to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, the most visited part of the canyon, is Tusayan, only seven miles away. Some of the bigger Grand Canyon towns include Flagstaff and Williams, both around 60-90 minutes’ drive away, while Sedona is slightly over two hours’ drive from the South Rim Visitor Center. Kingman, on the historic Route 66, is just under three hours away but is also sometimes combined with a visit to the South Rim.

If you’re planning to visit the quieter North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the closest towns and cities are across the border into neighbouring Utah, including Fredonia and Kanab, both approximately 90 minutes’ drive from the canyon. The North Rim is only open from May 15 to October 15, with snow closing the roads during winter.

Las Vegas, across Arizona’s border with Nevada, is often combined with a trip to the Grand Canyon too, around two hours from the Grand Canyon Skywalk although it’s over four hours from Sin City to either the North or South Rim Visitor Centers.

Getting to the Grand Canyon from the UK

The closest international airport to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is in Phoenix, with direct flights from London every day taking around 11 hours. The airport itself is around 3 ½ hours from the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff airport is the closest airport to the South Rim itself, operating domestic flights to a string of major cities around the US; there is another small airport near the entrance to the National Park but this has no commercial flights and is used for private and charter planes only.

There are also direct flights from the UK to Las Vegas taking just under 11 hours. The city is close enough to the Grand Canyon Skywalk for a day trip, or as the starting point for a longer road trip past the Grand Canyon.

Alternatively, a visit to the Grand Canyon is often combined with a road trip along historic Route 66, which takes you through Flagstaff and Williams, so it’s easy to detour to the canyon’s South Rim. It’s also easy to visit as part of a tour of US national parks or combined with the Utah national parks; after visiting Zion National Park in Utah, you can travel from Kanab to the North Rim or onwards to Flagstaff to see the South Rim.

How was the Grand Canyon formed?

The Grand Canyon as we know it today was formed by the waters of the Colorado River, carving out the canyon between the two rocky rims over millennia – now a silver ribbon just visible from the highest points, the canyon wouldn’t exist without the relentless flow of the river.

To tell the whole story of the creation of the Grand Canyon, you need to go back almost two billion years, when two plates on the Earth’s crust collided. This resulted in the dark basement rocks seen at the bottom of the canyon, formed under extreme heat and pressure. Later, the canyon was covered by prehistoric seas, with algae fossils dating back around 1.25 billion years found in the limestone.

Skipping ahead to around 70 million years ago, more tectonic movement (which also created the Rocky Mountains), pushed the Colorado Plateau to thousands of feet above sea level. By around six million years ago, the Colorado River was formed by water running off the Rockies, cutting into the plateau as it rose and eroding the rock over time.

Highlights of the Grand Canyon National Park

This colossal geographical wonder stretches for 277 miles long, is 18 miles wide at the widest point and one mile deep. Whether you choose to head to one of the key viewpoints, explore on foot or even view the Grand Canyon from the skies, these are some of the highlights not to miss.

South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon South Rim

The most visited part of the whole Grand Canyon National Park, the South Rim has some of the most majestic views out including a chance to look across the widest section and down to the Colorado River. This area is also home to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you can see various films introducing you to the canyon and its history, including Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder which features an aerial tour.

The South Rim is also the site of the Grand Canyon Village, which sprang up after the first steam-powered trains reached the area in 1901. Preserved as it would have been in the early 1900s, you can take a step back in time to wander through the shops and buildings. And you can find some spectacular views out across the canyon too; the 23-mile scenic drive from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View at the park’s East Entrance includes Grandview Point at 7,500ft up and Mather Point, at 7,000ft, with visibility of up to 60 miles on a clear day. You’ll visit the South Rim on our Awe-Inspiring National Parks tour.

Walking trails

You needn’t be a hardened hiker to set out on some of the Grand Canyon’s walking trails, with options for different levels. The Rim Trail is easily accessed from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at the South Rim, and you can soak up the views as you follow it along to Hermit’s Rest, with a shuttle back if you prefer not to retrace your footsteps. Information signs along the route will give you all kinds of information, from geological facts to the types of animals you might encounter.

None of the trails into or out of the Grand Canyon are easy, and you need to ensure you are well prepared as well as allowing enough time to complete the hikes – some can only be done with an overnight stay. The Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular for more of a challenging hike.

Or for a trek to remember, the Tonto Trail is a 70-mile route that stretches through the back country. It might not be possible to take this trail on our Grand Canyon tours - but if you have unlimited time and you are an experienced hiker you should think about giving it a go.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Set outside the Grand Canyon National Park itself, the Grand Canyon Skywalk opened to the public in 2007, and it is not for the fainthearted – although you can reassure yourself that the walkway is strong enough to hold 70 fully loaded 747 passenger jets.

Located at Grand Canyon West, the Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge with a glass bottom that stretches out 70ft into the canyon. Walk the bridge and you will get some sense of what it’s like to be a condor soaring over the Grand Canyon.

Set on land belonging to the Hualapai, or the People of the Tall Pines, tours often visit other points of interest nearby including some more majestic canyon views.

Grand Canyon East End

The East End of the Grand Canyon, also known as the East Rim, is one of the most scenic parts of the canyon but is often overlooked with most people heading to the South Rim, the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the west or the North Rim.

Head here and you can see Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped twist in the Colorado River not far from Page and the Glen Canyon Dam, as it meanders on its way through the canyon. It’s also one of the only places in the Grand Canyon where you can have your photo taken with the river in the background.

Marble Canyon marks the official beginning of the Grand Canyon, while you can also spot Rainbow Bridge, one of the world’s largest natural bridges, and combine the visit with Antelope Canyon on Navajo land not far from Page.

Horseshoe Bend

Monument Valley

If you visit the East End of the Grand Canyon, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Monument Valley, located on Navajo territory along the Arizona/Utah border. The giant sandstone monoliths here loom up to 1,000 feet high, part of a red rock landscape which towers above the desert floor. The contrasting burnt crimson of the scenery and the clear blue skies, broken by the spiralling pinnacles and imposing columns of rock, are a truly unforgettable sight.

How best to see the Grand Canyon

One of the most memorable ways to see the Grand Canyon is on a chartered helicopter tour, looking down on the incredible panorama of this astonishing natural phenomenon from on high. Some tours even land at the bottom to give you the views from the canyon floor looking back up towards the rims. You can book Grand Canyon helicopter tours as an optional excursion on a number of our USA tours; seats fill up well in advance, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

A visit to the Grand Canyon Skywalk is another of the most unusual ways to see the canyon, with the platform stretching out 70ft from the rim, and a glass bottom to let you gaze down (if you dare).

But there are also a string of other fabulous viewpoints, particularly along the South Rim of the canyon, where you can keep your feet firmly on the ground. Mather Point, near the main Visitor Center, is one of the highest at 7,000ft, along with Grandview Point, at 7,500ft, both with spectacular views onto the canyon.

Or Desert View Watchtower was designed in 1932 with 85 steps leading up to an observation deck sitting more than 5,000ft above the canyon floor, in a style inspired by the Ancestral Puebloan people and decorated with murals of Native American life by a Hopi artist.

If you’re looking for the best overlooks onto the Colorado River, Lipan Point on Desert View Drive should be high on the list, overseeing the bend in the river, while Moran Point looks out onto Hance Rapids.

Viewing the Grand Canyon

What to wear at the Grand Canyon

Practicality is key when you’re deciding what to wear at the Grand Canyon, with conditions varying throughout the year. Whatever month you visit the Grand Canyon, you’ll need sturdy, comfortable footwear; if you’re visiting the more developed parts of the South Rim, or walking the Rim trail, sturdy trainers are normally fine, but you’ll need hiking boots for hikes into the canyon, as well as the rougher terrain around the North Rim.

Layers are the best approach year-round as the canyon can be chilly in the morning and evening, especially at the cooler North Rim, while it also gives you more flexibility if you’re hiking. If you’re visiting in summer, temperatures can easily soar into the low 30Cs so you’ll need lightweight cool layers. Shorts and a T-shirt are a good option, although you may prefer longer lightweight trousers or leggings and shirt against the strong sun.

Add extra layers such as a fleece or light jumper for autumn and spring, plus a waterproof jacket and stick with long trousers rather than shorts, when the weather can be cooler and more unsettled. Winter is cold and you could well find snow at the Grand Canyon, so bring a warm, waterproof winter coat as well as warm socks, gloves and scarf, while you may also find thermal layers useful during the coldest months.

A hat is also a good idea year-round; in the summer months, it’s essential when there’s often little shade, while chilly temperatures during winter mean you’ll want a woolly version to stay warm. The glare from the sun is strong year-round too, so sunglasses are another essential, along with high factor SPF even in winter.

A reusable water bottle is also sensible, even if you’re not planning any serious hikes, along with snacks and a camera to capture the views – bring spare batteries and memory cards if you’re packing a camera, or portable chargers if you’re using your phone.

What to know before visiting the Grand Canyon

Visiting the Grand Canyon is an adventure to remember, but this dramatic landscape should be treated with respect – especially once you factor in searing heat in summer, heavy rainstorms year-round and snow in winter, alongside challenging hikes.

Trail safety

If you’re planning to walk one of the trails, ensure you’re prepared with everything you need, sensible footwear, sunscreen and plenty of water, and bear in mind that uphill hikers have right of way.

There’s a free shuttle bus which runs along the South Rim, if you’re planning to walk all or part of the Rim Trail and need assistance. Part of this trail is also accessible, but you may need the shuttle bus for some sections.

When you’re exploring, you should stay on designated trails and keep a safe distance from the rim. It’s wise to stay at least six feet away from any Grand Canyon ledge, or behind the guardrails if there are any.

For more challenging hikes, it’s wise not to hike alone, and bear in mind that you may have no phone signal. However tempting, don’t set off along one of the trails without planning ahead as you’re more likely to run into trouble. The Grand Canyon’s altitude is also much higher than many people are accustomed to. As a result, you might find yourself feeling slightly breathless and getting tired more quickly after walking, but it can also encourage you to behave more rashly.

Protect the canyon

Leave no trace. Any waste should be properly disposed of, either in bins around the Visitor Center, or taken away from the canyon entirely. Burying waste is not allowed. It’s vital not to drop or throw anything into the canyon itself – as this is a mile deep in places, even a tiny object can seriously injure hikers or animals, as well as the plants below. Strong winds can easily blow bottles or lightweight items into the canyon if you put them down on the ground to take a photo or enjoy the view, so it’s best to keep everything in a day bag or pocket.

You should also avoid taking anything from the canyon, as it can damage the fragile ecosystem, while some areas are of particular significance to Native American tribes.

Always stay a safe distance from wildlife; everything from bighorn sheep and elk to ringtail cats and mountain lions live wild in the Grand Canyon, but you shouldn’t attempt to approach, feed or touch them.

Grand Canyon facilities

You’ll find most facilities around the South Rim including the Visitor Center where the free shuttle buses depart from, as well as the Market Plaza, which has shops and a post office, plus some places serving food and drink at the Grand Canyon village. There’s also a small visitor center at the North Rim during the summer months, but little in the way of facilities towards the east end of the canyon.

If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the west, there are also facilities including places to get food and drink, along with lockers where you need to store your personal belongings (not allowed on the Skywalk) and booties also required over your shoes to protect the glass.

You can also get pamphlets from rangers at the entrance and the visitor center with information about the Grand Canyon and its wildlife.

Avoid the crowds

With around six million visitors per year, it pays to visit early in the day or later if possible, to avoid the worst of the crowds (and the heat in summer). The North Rim is less developed than the South Rim but is also quieter.

If you are planning to camp, you’ll need permits, while all visitors are required to pay an entrance fee.

Any tour of the Grand Canyon National Park is special, so if you get the opportunity to visit, take it. Find out more about Grand Canyon tours on our USA escorted tours page.