Grand Canyon Visitor Guide

Are you ready for one of the most breath-taking experiences of your life? Grand Canyon National Park is truly a treasure unlike anything else on Earth. Visiting the Grand Canyon during these uncertain times offers fresh air, perspective, and as much excitement as you're willing to experience. Our Grand Canyon visitor guide can assist you in planning a safe, enjoyable, and memorable trip of a lifetime. Your preferred mode of travel and accommodation preferences may determine which rim of the Grand Canyon you want to visit. There are essentially three main rims of Grand Canyon National Park - South, West, and North Rims, with the East Rim reaching out more towards the Lake Powell area, which includes attractions like Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Traditionally, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon accessed through Arizona was the best way to see Grand Canyon. But with flights to Las Vegas being so affordable in recent years, many visitors chose to visit the West Rim, which features the glass bridge hanging over the canyon edge called the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Now that flying or traveling through an airport comes with its own Covid-19 exposure risks, traveling by car has once again become the preferred way to visit Grand Canyon National Park. Each rim and each type of tour offers a unique way to experience the canyon and there's no one best way to do it. But there's only one way to find out which is your favorite.

Choosing Which Grand Canyon Rim to Visit

  • The Grand Canyon touches four states: Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The most accessible and popular state to see the Grand Canyon is Arizona (South Rim) and Nevada (West Rim).
    South Rim will provide you with the classic national park experience with ranger talks, free hop-on-hop-off shuttles, and concessionaires.
  • West Rim is run by the Hualapai Tribe. There is a per-person entrance fee that provides guests with a shuttle to the West Rim from the parking area. Guests may add on a Grand Canyon Skywalk ticket for additional purchase. A helicopter ride from Las Vegas is another popular way to get here.
  • North Rim is the more remote side of the Canyon loved by hikers, backpacking campers and the like. You'll find the North Rim to be the least busy, but also the most difficult to access. The North RIm is closed October-May due to winter conditions.
For more trip-planning guidance, go to Begin Planning Your Trip »

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