The Solo Traveler’s Guide to the Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon National Park offers limitless experiences for all variety of visitors - you don't have to bring the whole family to enjoy America's most beautiful national park! If you're a solo traveler, the Grand Canyon National Park (also known as the South Rim) is a fantastic place to get in touch with nature, explore the most famous viewpoints, and just enjoy some alone time. This guide will list all the best Grand Canyon activities to experience alone and give you the best tips to ensure your visit is truly unforgettable!

If you're considering a solo trip to the Grand Canyon, you'll have to first fly into either Las Vegas, which is about 252 miles (405km) away, or Phoenix, which is about 231 miles (372km) away. If you plan to stay for several days, renting a car and driving to the South Rim from either of these cities also allows you the freedom to travel to any lookout point you'd like, as well as into the nearby town of Tusayan if you want to grab groceries or other essentials.

One aspect to consider if you plan to rent a car is your comfort and expertise at driving long distances. The 4-hour drive from Las Vegas will be beautiful, but you will lose cell phone reception in some areas and there are long stretches where help can be unavailable if you break down.

What if you're already in Las Vegas on a solo trip? If you want to visit the Grand Canyon for just a day, you can reach the South Rim much faster aboard a small aircraft flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park, where you will have ample opportunity to explore, sightsee, and take photos from both the sky and the ground!

There are so many benefits that come with flying to the Grand Canyon instead of driving. First, much of the time you'd spend in the car can instead be spent exploring the park. Second, you'll be able to witness incredible sights from the sky during your flight, such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Nevada desert, the Colorado River, the Kaibab National Forest, and of course - the Grand Canyon National Park itself. Finally, Papillon's airplane flights also include park entry so you can skip the fees. Las Vegas flights to the Grand Canyon also come with your choice between a helicopter tour over the South Rim or a Grand Canyon ground tour aboard a customized Hummer military vehicle.

What if you have even less time? Papillon has a solution for that too! You can book an airplane tour from Las Vegas to the South Rim that flies over the stunning scenery and offers the same aerial sightseeing and photography options, then returns to Vegas in an afternoon's time!

The first thing you'll encounter when you enter the Grand Canyon National Park is the Rim Trail, which is a 13-mile paved path that follows the canyon's edge. This is a perfect way to peacefully explore the ancient landscape. If you're looking for more adventure, the Grand Canyon National Park offers plentiful sightseeing activities aside from simply walking along the Rim Trail.

Rent a Bike and Explore the Grand Canyon Trails

Located across from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is Bright Angel Bikes & Cafe, which offers bicycle rentals as well as guided bike tours. If you'd like to cover more ground faster than walking along the rim, a bicycle rental is a fun way to explore along the rim. Bright Angel Bikes is the only place you can rent a bicycle within the national park, so be sure to reserve your bike in advance before you arrive.

Experience a Mule Ride into the Grand Canyon

Since 1887, visitors to the South Rim have had the opportunity to venture into the depths of the canyon while riding on a mule! If you're visiting the Grand Canyon alone, you can join a 2-hour guided mule tour. These animals are very accustomed to the uneven terrain and can peacefully transport you into the gorges of the South Rim. You can even ride all the way to the canyon floor and stay overnight at Phantom Ranch! Before reserving your mule tour, be sure to check the guidelines to ensure you meet the weight requirements and other criteria.

Board a Hummer Tour and Visit Famous Lookout Points

If you're driving to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, you can drive along Desert View Drive and stop at a variety of famous lookout points. If you're flying to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, another option to see as many South Rim lookout points as possible is aboard a Hummer tour. You can even bundle your Hummer tour with your flight. These repurposed military vehicles feature a convertible top during the warmer months and an attachable cover during the winter. Your professional driver will select several world-famous lookout points that include Duck on a Rock, Moran Point, and Yavapai Point.

Fly over the South Rim on a Helicopter Tour

The views of the South Rim from the ground are stunning, but the view from above is even more incredible! Experience soaring over the Grand Canyon National Park on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour. You'll discover aerial views of the deepest and widest regions of the park, the Kaibab National Forest, and the Colorado River from your helicopter window. You can book a Grand Canyon helicopter tour departing from the air terminal near the park entrance, or you can include a helicopter tour to your flight from Las Vegas.

With any solo trip to a new destination, there will always be some things you don't think to plan until you've already arrived. Here are our best tips to make your solo Grand Canyon trip the most enjoyable it can be.

Decide What Season You’d Like to Visit

The most popular months to visit the Grand Canyon are from May through August, but if you're looking to visit with less crowds, consider visiting in the off-season. Know that the Grand Canyon National Park experiences a wide variety of weather types and pack your clothing accordingly. The summer is typically hot and sunny, while the winter brings annual snowfall into the park.

Choose a Hike Within Your Capability

There are five major trails located throughout the South Rim, all ranging in length and difficulty. If you plan to hike at the Grand Canyon National Park, be sure to choose a hike that is within your normal capability, or even a less difficult hike than you're used to. Hundreds of Grand Canyon visitors overestimate their abilities, or underestimate the heat, and need to be rescued during a hike gone wrong. You don't have to push your limits to enjoy a Grand Canyon hike!

Safety First When Taking Photos

There are many barrier-free lookout points along the South Rim, allowing visitors to walk right up to the very edge. If you're visiting the Grand Canyon alone, be sure to stand a safe distance from the edge before taking a selfie or ask a park ranger to take the photo for you.

Take Advantage of Park Rangers' Knowledge

The Grand Canyon park rangers aren't just there for safety reasons, they're also experts on the history and geology of the park. All Grand Canyon visitors are welcome to approach park rangers with any questions, and they'll be happy to chat with you!

Book Your Campsite Far in Advance

There are two campgrounds within the Grand Canyon National Park. Desert View Campground contains 49 campsites and requires advanced reservations. The larger campsite, Mather Campground, offers 327 sites and accepts reservations, but they are not required. However, it is highly advised to reserve your site at Mather Campground, as Grand Canyon camping is a high-demand activity, and open sites are rarely available.

If you're a solo traveler visiting Las Vegas and you have an open day in your vacation, you can experience a day trip to the Grand Canyon when you fly on a Papillon airplane tour. You can spend one day at the Grand Canyon and still capture magnificent views from the sky, enjoy a South Rim helicopter tour, and explore the lookout points on foot.

Papillon is the world's oldest and longest-running air tour operator and has been transporting guests over the Grand Canyon since 1965. Each year, we have the honor of showing over 600,000 passengers the beauty of the South Rim. We look forward to bringing you to one of the United States' most treasured landmarks!