A Guide to Visiting Grand Canyon South Rim

Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park is the trip of a lifetime. Also known as the South Rim, this world-famous 1,900 square mile National Park contains some of the most recognizable Grand Canyon landscapes and is one of the most adventurous and rewarding trips a traveler can take.

The South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is the most developed and tourist-friendly region of the Grand Canyon. You can just about do it all at the Grand Canyon South Rim; hiking, camping, helicopter and airplane tours, mule rides, and Hummer tours as well as plentiful shopping, dining, and historic hotels and museums to explore.

This guide will help you prepare for your trip to the South Rim, whether you’re planning a Grand Canyon vacation over the course of several days or simply visiting on a day trip from Las Vegas.

How To Get to Grand Canyon South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona and 80 miles northwest of Flagstaff. The drive from Las Vegas is approximately 278 miles.

If you are driving yourself, the South entrance station near the town of Tusayan, Arizona, receives the most traffic. Prepare for possible long wait times to enter, as there are no reservations or timed entry. For shorter wait times and spectacular views of the Colorado River a mile below the Canyon, enter via Desert View Drive.

If you'd like to spend a day at the South Rim during your Las Vegas vacation, don't spend most of the day driving - cut your travel time down with a flight to the Grand Canyon National Park! You'll see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and of course the South Rim from the sky and you can even combine your airplane tour with a helicopter flight or a Hummer ground excursion.

Parking and Entrance Fees at Grand Canyon National Park South Rim

Vehicles cost $35 to enter Grand Canyon National Park. Motorcycles cost $30, and entering the park on foot, bicycle, park shuttle bus, and private rafting trip costs $20 per person.

Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is for seven days and includes both the North Rim and South Rim.

Getting Around Grand Canyon South

Visitors can leave their cars at Visitor Center Plaza and make use of a free hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus that takes you to popular of the park, including points within Grand Canyon Village and hiking trails. The Rim Trail is also a convenient way to explore the canyon's edge on foot. This paved path stretches over 13 miles with 14 shuttle stops scattered across its expanse to help you reach as many lookout points as possible.

Things To Do at Grand Canyon South Rim

There are a number of activities to choose from on your visit to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Whether you're travelling with friends, a special someone, or are on a Grand Canyon family vacation, your group can enjoy the perfect sightseeing tour to maximize your experience at the South Rim!

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours

A South Rim helicopter tour is the most exciting way to see as much of the canyon as possible. Depart from Papillon's South Rim Terminal located at Grand Canyon National Park Airport and soar over the deepest and widest canyon gorges, as well as the Colorado River and the Kaibab Forest. Papillon's helicopter fleet is designed with oversized windows for sightseeing, climate control, and headset communications between the passengers and the pilot. The aerial views of the Grand Canyon seen from a helicopter simply cannot be replicated from the ground!

Grand Canyon Hummer Tours

One of the best Grand Canyon tours for families is a ground excursion aboard a customized Hummer. This military-style vehicle boasts a convertible roof for warmer months, bench style seating that can fit the whole family, and is operated by a professional guide with knowledge of the region's history, geology and wildlife.

Your driver will transport you in style to several lookout points along the canyon's edge, such as Yavapai Point & Geology Museum, Pipe Creek Vista, Duck on a Rock, Grandview Point, or Moran Point. At each destination, your family will have plenty of time for exploring and capturing photographs. You can even privatize your Hummer tour or book a sunset departure for a more magical moment.

Mule Rides at the Grand Canyon

For an iconic American West experience, experience a Grand Canyon mule ride and venture into the depths of the South Rim along a scenic rim trail. These mules are highly trained and very familiar with the trail route; you can relax during your peaceful ride without having to steer your animal.

The Park offers two guided mule rides; a shorter two-hour Canyon Vista rim ride or a 5.5-hour, 10.5 miles ride down the Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch located on the canyon floor, where you'll spend the night and enjoy a home cooked meal. You'll return to the surface on the South Kaibab Trail the next morning after enjoying a hearty breakfast.

Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels

The nearby Grand Canyon Village houses many of the park's most historic buildings and hotels. These diverse lodges, hotels, and remote outposts offer an amazing assortment of accommodations such as:

• El Tovar Hotel: This historic hotel on the canyon rim has been in operation since 1905, with 78 unique rooms. The fine dining room offers some of the best food in all of the Grand Canyon South.
• Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins: Another historic lodging option that contains a combination of 90 rooms and cabins. Designed in 1935 and a registered National Historic Landmark, this rustic lodge is full of charm.
• Kachina Lodge: The two-story Kachina Lodge offers standard hotel rooms directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon. The lodge's central location is within walking distance to all Grand Canyon Village restaurants, trailheads, and other attractions.
• Thunderbird Lodge: This is the most modern and up-to-date accommodation at the South Rim. Located in the heart of Grand Canyon Village and the Historic District, many of the rooms offer canyon views.
• Maswik Lodge: Maswik Lodge is a 280-room lodging complex nestled within several acres of Ponderosa pine forest a quarter mile walk or bus ride from the canyon's edge. The building is housed in part of the original Grand Canyon Motor Lodge constructed in 1927 by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad that brought early travelers to the remote canyon.
• Phantom Ranch: Phantom Ranch is the most unique lodging available at South Rim; rustic cabins tucked next to Bright Angel Creek at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon. This historic and natural oasis is the only lodging below the canyon rim. It can be reached only by hiking, rafting, and via mule.

Grand Canyon South Rim Restaurants

There is a wide variety of great places to dine while visiting or staying at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Whether you want a quick bite, a family meal, a romantic dinner, or a relaxing cocktail after a long day of exploring, you'll find what you're looking for right near the canyon's edge.

Here is a list of some of the best restaurants available at Grand Canyon South:

• El Tovar Dining Room: A rustic and elegant restaurant located on the rim inside El Tovar hotel
• El Tovar Lounge: Cozy bar with casual eats and fantastic views located inside El Tovar hotel
• Arizona Steakhouse: Upscale dining with canyon views located inside Bright Angel Lodge
• Fred Harvey Tavern: Casual bar and grille located inside Bright Angel Lodge
• Bright Angel Fountain: Coffeehouse with light snacks at Bright Angel Lodge
• Harvey House Cafe: Family-style diner located inside Bright Angel Lodge
• Maswik Food Court and Pizza Pub: Offers a variety of quick dining options inside Maswik Lodge

Camping Near Grand Canyon South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park contains three campgrounds, two of which are located at the South Rim.

Here is an overview on those two campgrounds:

• Mather Campground - contains 327 sites, none of which provide RV hookups. Each includes a campfire ring/cooking grate, picnic table, parking space and room for up to six people and two vehicles. There are flush toilets, drinking water, and a free dump station. Reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance.
• Desert View Campground- at the East Entrance to the South Rim. It's a much smaller campground (49 campsites) and more peaceful than the busier Mather Campground. Only tent campers and smaller RVs, (30 ft. total length) can stay here. Campsite reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Reservations for the South Rim’s Mather Campground and Desert View Campground can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service via phone or online.

RV Parks Near Grand Canyon South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park operates a single RV campground at South Rim.

• Trailer Village RV Park has 123 RV only sites, 80 of which offer recreational vehicles full hookups (sewage, water, and 30 and 50 amp electrical) Trailer Village is open year-round and can accommodate just about any RV (up to 50 feet long).

Visit the Grand Canyon South Rim with Papillon!

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters was born at the South Rim, where our founder Elling Halvorson was hired to transport pipeline equipment across the canyon via helicopter. He soon realized the public interest in seeing the Grand Canyon from the sky and subsequently pioneered the air tour industry. Today, our helicopter and airplane fleet transports over 300,000 passengers from around the world to the South Rim, West Rim, Antelope Canyon, and beyond. Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at America's most treasured landmark: the Grand Canyon. Browse tours from Las Vegas and South Rim tours today!