Grand Canyon National Park Guide

The Grand Canyon is one of the most treasured landmarks in the United States. It is a vast, majestic, and undeniably stunning natural wonder and its beauty must be seen in person to be fully understood. Many tourists to the Grand Canyon National Park, also called the South Rim, choose to visit for several days and stay in either one of the nearby historic hotels or camp amidst the desert nature. You can also visit the South Rim on a day trip from Las Vegas with plenty of time to sightsee and explore along the canyon's edge.

Learn everything to expect when you visit the Grand Canyon National Park, whether you plan to spend several days or would just like to fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim for the day.

Plan Your Visit to the Grand Canyon National Park

Where is the Grand Canyon National Park Located?

The Grand Canyon South Rim's location is an hour and 20-minute drive northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona and just over 4 hours from Las Vegas. If you'd like to maximize your time at the South Rim, you can opt to fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park and enjoy aerial views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, and of course the canyon itself during the hour and a half long journey.

Grand Canyon National Park Weather

Grand Canyon National Park's climate ranges significantly due to changes in elevation throughout the park. While the area tends to remain dry, precipitation is most often seen in the summertime and in winter. The surrounding Kaibab Forest and upper gorges are often coated in snow for a short period each winter, offering a natural sightseeing spectacle unlike any other. At the canyon floor - known as the Inner Gorge - temperatures can range between 0 F (-17 C) and 100 F (37 C). Visitors to the Grand Canyon South Rim are encouraged to plan their trip in accordance with this incredible temperature variation and dress in layers for sudden changes in precipitation.

Grand Canyon Entrance Pass

The cost to enter the Grand Canyon National Park varies depending on the vehicle being used. Learn more about Grand Canyon National Park entry fees or browse Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas where entry is included.

How to Get Around the Park

Free shuttle buses are the best way to get around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. No tickets are required to board since a portion of the entrance fee pays for this service. Buses typically arrive every 15-30 minutes and stops are clearly marked throughout the park. Shuttle buses can accommodate two or three bicycles, so they're useful if you want to pedal around the park. Service may be suspended during inclement weather.

Best Grand Canyon National Park Activities

Helicopter Tours

One can only see so far while gazing out at the Grand Canyon from the edge. Take to the skies and witness the stone gorge expand as far as the eye can see! Grand Canyon helicopter tours allow passengers to take breathtaking aerial photos of the striped rock formations below as well as the Colorado River and surrounding Kaibab Forest. Helicopter tours can also be part of a package tour when you fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

Colorado River Rafting

The Grand Canyon National Park offers fantastic rafting opportunities ranging from daylong adventures to several-day expeditions. River rafting is perhaps the most high-demand activity at the canyon, with tour operators booking solid up to a year in advance. You can still experience a Colorado River rafting day trip from the Grand Canyon National Park to the nearby city of Page, Arizona with some options even including an Antelope Canyon tour.

Grand Canyon Hiking

Several hiking trails surround the edge of the South Rim, offering fantastic views of different angles of the canyon. Trail lengths vary in difficulty from light to expert and range in length from between quick, 2-mile hikes to half-mile, all-day excursions. No matter your skill level or time availability, Grand Canyon hiking is a possibility for every family.

Hummer Ground Excursions

Don't feel like hiking? Skip the trek and see magnificent views of the Grand Canyon on a South Rim ground excursion aboard a converted Hummer vehicle! Each tour is customized by drivers to avoid the traffic and stop at the best lookout points with the least amount of other tourists. You can even privatize the entire Hummer for your group or choose to tour at sunset.

Mule Tours

One of the oldest and most unique methods of touring the Grand Canyon is actually on the back of a mule! Guided mule tours operate daily and, despite being a high-demand activity requiring an advance reservation, it is a sightseeing opportunity unlike any other. These creatures have traversed the rugged canyon paths so many times, you don't even need to steer them.

Camping

Many areas throughout the Grand Canyon National Park are available for camping, both in tents and recreational vehicles. It is important to note that some campsites are first-come/first-serve and some require reservations, often months in advance. Grand Canyon camping is also possible at the floor of the canyon near the bank of the Colorado River; however, the hike to reach the bottom is strenuous and only recommended for experienced hikers.

Top Grand Canyon National Park Places to Visit

Grand Canyon Village

Lining the rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is a historic district known as the Grand Canyon Village. Here visitors will find several antique hotels and lodges, dozens of shops offering rustic Southwestern gifts, and two art studios offering beautiful canyon vantage points as well as paintings, photography, and literature. Additionally, several restaurants can be found in the village and hotels offering both casual and fine dining.

Kaibab Forest

The lush greenery of the Kaibab Forest blankets the surface of the Grand Canyon South Rim. Capture dazzling photos of this rustic landscape from the rim or see its vast expanse from the sky aboard a Grand Canyon helicopter tour or airplane tour.

Bright Angel Lodge

Located in the Grand Canyon Village, this historic hotel was built in 1935 and still maintains its rustic aesthetic and elegant design today. Even if you're not staying overnight, it's worth a visit to visit the Bright Angel History Room, sit by the large fireplace constructed from actual Grand Canyon rock, dine in the Arizona Room, or grab a drink in the saloon.

Accessibility at the Grand Canyon

Visitors with mobility concerns will be happy to learn that many of the fantastic landscapes throughout the park can be seen from the paved sidewalk lining the canyon's edge. However, it is important to note that in winter conditions, paved areas can become snowy or even icy, so extra caution is advised.

The nearby Grand Canyon Village contains several hotels, shops, and restaurants, all wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Kolb Studio. Bright Angel Lodge offers wheelchairs for rent, as well. Additionally, the nearby IMAX theater offers ample wheelchair space. A large number of Grand Canyon South Rim tours are fully accessible, as well. Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters also offers several accessible helicopter tours and airplane flights aboard our state-of-the-art fleet.

Fly to the Grand Canyon National Park with Papillon!

Papillon is the world's largest air tour operator, offering daily departures from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park aboard our fleet of sightseeing airplanes. Each airplane offers plush seating, climate control, headset narration available in multiple languages, and oversized windows for sightseeing.

Upon arrival at the South Rim, Papillon also operates helicopter tours over the deepest and widest canyon gorges and ground excursions aboard modified military-style Hummer vehicles.

Experience the most breathtaking natural destination in the United States on a once-in-a-lifetime Grand Canyon tour with Papillon!