Grand Canyon National Park - Things To Do (U.S. National Park Service)

There are many ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Individual interests, available time, and the weather can all influence a visit. The following are suggestions to assist you in personalizing your Grand Canyon experience.

Choose One: South Rim North Rim

The South Rim and Desert View (Open All Year)

Attend Free Ranger Programs
Learn more about the the nature, science, history and culture of the Grand Canyon with a park ranger as your guide. Program Schedule and Information
Kids: Be a Junior Ranger Ranger Minutes (audio-video insights)

Visit the Scenic Hermit Road (Note: Construction/ Repaving During 2008)
The entire length of Hermit Road is now closed to all vehicles beyond the Hermit Road intersection with Village Loop Road.
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Visit the Scenic Desert View Drive
Tour by free shuttle bus (until Sept. 5) your private vehicle or . 25 miles one-way. Views of the river at Moran, Lipan and Desert View Points. Visit the Watchtower historic landmark. You may exit the park to the east. (hwys 64 to 89)

Visit an Information Center or Museum
The South Rim offers a variety of museums and information centers that house exhibits and provide park information. Learn more about information centers.
Learn about South Rim bookstores and gift shops.

Hiking
To walk part of the well defined , begin from any viewpoint in the village or along Hermit Road. Day hike in and around the canyon or backpack overnight below the rim.

Participate in a Grand Canyon Field Institute Learning Adventure
The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers guided educational tours led by expert instructors while backpacking, camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting. Topics include geology, history, archaeology, photography, and more.

Grand Canyon Railway on the way to the park.

Journey to Grand Canyon National Park aboard Grand Canyon Railway
From Williams, Arizona (along Interstate 40) the Grand Canyon Railway carries more than 230,000 people by rail to Grand Canyon National Park each year.

Whitewater and Smoothwater raft trips on the Colorado River
Whitewater trips through Grand Canyon last from 3 days to 21 days and require reservations well in advance. Half-day from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry may be arranged by any Lodge inside the park and

North Rim (Open mid-May through mid-October)

Entrance to the North Rim Visitor Center

The North Rim Visitor Center is located adjacent to the parking lot on Bright Angel Peninsula. This is a great place to start your adventure on the North Rim. Speak with a ranger who will be happy to help with questions you may have about the area. The Visitor Center also features interpretive exhibits, maps, brochures and a bookstore.

Free Interpretive Ranger Programs are offered daily throughout the season.
Download the 2008 North Rim Schedule (103kb PDF File) mid-May - mid-October, 2008. Rangers recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses and bringing water to all daytime programs due to the high elevation and arid conditions.

Take a day hike through this beautiful scenery. Experience the wild and remote feeling of the North Rim. Solitude can be found hiking the trails, and enjoying an awe-inspiring view. Watch mule deer and turkeys feeding in mountain meadows. Enjoy, discover, and celebrate the unique world of the North Rim.

North Rim facilities are open mid-May to mid-October only.