When planning a Grand Canyon vacation, many visitors have become intrigued by recent news of the Grand Canyon Skywalk at Grand Canyon West (West Rim), but most do not wish to miss out on the quintessential Grand Canyon experience. So which should you visit - the South Rim or the West Rim? The answer depends on several factors and ultimately comes down to whatever makes the most sense for your vacation. Here are some basics to help you figure out what you expect to get out of you Grand Canyon visit, and choose the Rim that's right for you.
The majority of visitors come to the South Rim each year. Compare 5 million annual South Rim visitors to 1 million yearly North Rim visitors and 200,000 annual visitors at the West Rim. There is a good reason people flock to the South Rim; it's part of Grand Canyon National Park; it's stunningly beautiful; it's more developed by way of visitors centers and services; there's more lodging nearby; you can hike, backpack and camp; it's easier to access; it's more centrally located for Arizona visitors; and it offers more activity and tour variety.
The West Rim is emerging as a destination, and it's on tribal reservation land, so it offers fewer options for lodging, services, visitor centers and variety when it comes to activities and tours. Because it's not a part of Grand Canyon National Park but actually owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe on tribal land, Grand Canyon West is more a tour destination and pay-for-admission attraction than the National Park. Its proximity to Las Vegas, unique Skywalk attraction, beautiful rugged views and plethora of Las Vegas tour packages make the West Rim a fantastic choice for more and more of the Grand Canyon-bound each year.
Both the South Rim and the West Rim are open year-round. Weather extremes and moderates occur at both rims at different times of year; the West Rim sees the more extreme summer heat, and the South Rim experiences far colder winter temperatures.
The South Rim is better suited to visitors on a modest to moderate budget, while the West Rim requires at least a moderate budget for entry and to take advantage of the tours and activities available for both transportation and on-site fun.
To put it simply, popularity, availability of services, weather and budget are some of the major considerations when deciding whether the South Rim or the West Rim is right for you.
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of … More
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of Northern Arizona's wine country, just minutes from tasting rooms and vineyards. From the top of the towers, you can see majestic red rocks, the San Francisco peaks, and the whole breathtaking Verde Valley including Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome. Come join us for a Zip Line adventure that you'll never forget! Ride the most exciting zip line ever devised, over Out of Africa and soar over Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Hyenas, Bears, Jaguars and other natural predators!
Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly
Professionally Guided | Meals Included | Multi-Day Tours
Family-Friendly | Custom Options Available | Low-Risk Covid-19 Activity | Leaves from Flagstaff
Briar Patch Inn is the #1 Ranked B&B in AZ since 2011 and has received Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence
The Briar Patch Inn features 19 cabins situated on 9 lush acres in Oak Creek Canyon, just 3 miles north of Sedona. Each individual cabin is dressed in
… More
Briar Patch Inn is the #1 Ranked B&B in AZ since 2011 and has received Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence
The Briar Patch Inn features 19 cabins situated on 9 lush acres in Oak Creek Canyon, just 3 miles north of Sedona. Each individual cabin is dressed in distinctly different southwestern decor. The lush grounds - home to wildlife, birds, and two resident sheep - showcase rambling walking paths, canyon oaks, giant pines, and sycamores, all providing the perfect setting to nurture your relationship with nature. Healthy, bountiful, homemade breakfasts are offered by the creek in spring and summer and by the lodge fireplaces in fall and winter. An attentive, longtime staff strives to provide a quality of fine service that is the hallmark of this "magical" sanctuary. A Fodor's Choice and a Frommer's favorite.
Sedona Lodging | Free Hot Breakfast | Family-Friendly | Romantic | Fireplace(s) | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Good for Nature Lovers | Retreat & Workshop Venue | Intimate Wedding Venue | Massage Therapy
Self-Guided | Family-Friendly | Additional Tour Options Available
Family-Friendly
Professionally Guided | Meals Included | Multi-Day Tours | Leaves from Flagstaff
Leaves from Lake Powell/Page | Leaves from Las Vegas | Leaves from Lake Powell/Page | Leaves from Tusayan | Multi-Attraction Tours | Optional Ground Tour | Optional River Tour | Optional Ground Tour
Private Tours Available | Educational | Lunch Included | Family-Friendly | Family Business | Multi-Attraction Tours | Multi-Day Tours
Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterwards, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where y … More
Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterwards, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where you can peer off the edge at the mighty Colorado River!
Professionally Guided | Multi-Attraction Tours | Multi-Day Tours | Additional Tour Options Available | Private Tours Available | Lunch Included | Shuttle Services Provided
Private Tours Available | Shuttle Services Provided | Lunch Included | Multi-Attraction Tours | Additional Tour Options Available | Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly
Family-Friendly | Professionally Guided | Shuttle Services Provided | Gear Rental Available or Provided | Meals Included | Multi-Day Tours
Family-Friendly | ADA Accessible | Things to Do in Williams
Nearest to GNCP | On-site Restaurant | Indoor Pool | EV Charging Station
Sedona Lodging | Family-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub
Family-Friendly | Outdoor Pool | Pet-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | On-site Restaurant | ADA Accessible | Nearest to GNCP | Fitness Center
Pet-Friendly
Family-Friendly | Reserve Now Pay Later | Additional Tour Options Available | Leaves from Las Vegas | Leaves from Tusayan | Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Optional Ground Tour
Family-Friendly | Nearest to GNCP | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen
Sedona Lodging | Outdoor Pool | Romantic
Leaves from Las Vegas | Leaves from Tusayan | Multi-Attraction Tours | Family-Friendly
Sedona Lodging | Outdoor Pool | Fireplace(s) | Free Hot Breakfast | Concierge | Pet-Friendly | Family-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | Fitness Center
Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup | All Fees Included | Professionally Guided
Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | Flagstaff Hotels
Private Tours Available | Professionally Guided | Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included | Leaves from Las Vegas | Family-Friendly
See the Grand Canyon on this day trip from Las Vegas and return in time to hit up the casinos. Explore the iconic South Rim on your own terms, saving the narrated tour for the drive through the desert.
See the Grand Canyon on this day trip from Las Vegas and return in time to hit up the casinos. Explore the iconic South Rim on your own terms, saving the narrated tour for the drive through the desert.
Leaves from Las Vegas | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included
Explore the natural side of Arizona with a day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim on our luxury bus tour. Your professional bus driver is trained to provide you with interesting facts about the history, flora, and fauna on one of the great wonders of the modern world.
… MoreExplore the natural side of Arizona with a day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim on our luxury bus tour. Your professional bus driver is trained to provide you with interesting facts about the history, flora, and fauna on one of the great wonders of the modern world.
Once you arrive at the South Rim, enjoy stops along the rim such as Mather Point and Bright Angel Lodge. Explore popular attractions in the Grand Canyon National Park such as El Tovar, Hopi House, Kolb Photo Studio, and the Bright Angel Trail and make memories of a lifetime!
Family-Friendly | Leaves from Las Vegas
Sedona Lodging | Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | Outdoor Pool | On-site Restaurant | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Golf Course | Fitness Center | Wedding Venue
Leaves from Las Vegas | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included | Multi-Attraction Tours
This one-day tour covers 3 amazing landscapes in the Grand Circle in just one day based from Las Vegas. In addition to the well-known Grand Canyon, you will visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, where you can witness the stunning features that have been sculpted in this expansive sc … More
This one-day tour covers 3 amazing landscapes in the Grand Circle in just one day based from Las Vegas. In addition to the well-known Grand Canyon, you will visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, where you can witness the stunning features that have been sculpted in this expansive scenery.
On the way back to Las Vegas, we will have a short break in Seligman, a small town on Route 66. This is a nice little stopover where you can enjoy the old American atmosphere.
Leaves from Las Vegas | Family-Friendly | Multi-Attraction Tours
Make the most of limited time and see the highlights of Grand Canyon National Park in just a couple of hours on this sightseeing tour. Ride in a windowless, open-air Hummer and listen to commentary from your guide as you visit some of the canyon’s best lookout points, where you can hop … More
Make the most of limited time and see the highlights of Grand Canyon National Park in just a couple of hours on this sightseeing tour. Ride in a windowless, open-air Hummer and listen to commentary from your guide as you visit some of the canyon’s best lookout points, where you can hop out, take photos, and explore. Since this is a small-group tour, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, too.
Family-Friendly
Hotel Pickup | Lunch Included | Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly | Leaves from Las Vegas
Marvel at the Grand Canyon's vast expanse and some of the American Southwest's most awe-inspiring terrain during a scenic flight from Phoenix. Your pilot flies at the perfect altitude to clearly view the natural beauty of Arizona, including Tonto National Forest, San Francisco Peaks, Mo … More
Marvel at the Grand Canyon's vast expanse and some of the American Southwest's most awe-inspiring terrain during a scenic flight from Phoenix. Your pilot flies at the perfect altitude to clearly view the natural beauty of Arizona, including Tonto National Forest, San Francisco Peaks, Montezuma Well, and the Red Rocks of Sedona. Experience this majestic wilderness from the ground and air on a day-long tour that includes a stop in the National Park and the historic village.
Family-Friendly | Multi-Attraction Tours | Professionally Guided | Educational | Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale
Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Professionally Guided | Leaves from Las Vegas
Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included
Experience the majesty of the American Southwest with a full-day, all-inclusive tour to the Grand Canyon by air. Enjoy a round-trip scenic flight from Phoenix, and touch down at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, site of the Hualapai Reservation. Travel on land to Eagle Point for Native … More
Experience the majesty of the American Southwest with a full-day, all-inclusive tour to the Grand Canyon by air. Enjoy a round-trip scenic flight from Phoenix, and touch down at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, site of the Hualapai Reservation. Travel on land to Eagle Point for Native American cultural performances, sweeping views of the Grand Canyon, lunch on the canyon rim, a helicopter ride to the bottom of the canyon, a boat cruise on the Colorado River and admission to the thrilling Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Includes plane and helicopter flights, lunch, ground and boat tours, admission fees and guides.
Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Lunch Included | All Fees Included | Family-Friendly
Pet-Friendly | On-site Restaurant | Hotel Bar | Airport Shuttle | Hotel Bar
Sedona Lodging | Romantic | Free Hot Breakfast | Whirlpool Tub | Fireplace(s) | Outdoor Pool
Pet-Friendly | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Family-Friendly | Swimming Pool | On-site Restaurant
Make the most of your time in Arizona with a full-day tour that visits both the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Depart early from Scottsdale or Phoenix to explore the south rim of the Grand Canyon, taking in two prime viewpoints and strolling along the rim, then eating lunch. Continue to Sedon … More
Make the most of your time in Arizona with a full-day tour that visits both the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Depart early from Scottsdale or Phoenix to explore the south rim of the Grand Canyon, taking in two prime viewpoints and strolling along the rim, then eating lunch. Continue to Sedona where you check out the uptown district, and get photo ops at red rock sites.
Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Custom Options Available | Hotel Pickup | All Fees Included | Professionally Guided | Lunch Included | Family-Friendly | Educational
Recommend for groups of 4+. Take the Imperial Air tour on an aircraft dedicated exclusively for yourself and your family/friends.
Experience the Grand Canyon aboard a helicopter tour reserved entirely for your party. These helicopters have been designed with ecological impact in mi … MoreRecommend for groups of 4+. Take the Imperial Air tour on an aircraft dedicated exclusively for yourself and your family/friends.
Experience the Grand Canyon aboard a helicopter tour reserved entirely for your party. These helicopters have been designed with ecological impact in mind and feature lower noise to minimize disturbance. Set off from the Grand Canyon air terminal for aerial sights of the incredible rock gorges, the Colorado River twisting below, and the forested areas of the North Rim. Enjoy the most environmentally-friendly and exclusive way to tour the Grand Canyon by air!Family-Friendly