What To See And Do

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South Rim

A Few Hours

Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station

View the exhibits at the Visitor Center describing the natural and human history of the Grand Canyon and attend one of the audio-visual programs.

Take a walk along the rim trail from the Visitor Center to the Yavapai Observation Station. There are many splendid temples and buttes in this area of the Canyon that can be viewed from the rim trail. Yavapai Observation Station has exhibits on the geology of the Grand Canyon and provides a nice view of Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon.

A Half Day

Visitor Center and/or Yavapai Observation Station (see above) plus the East Rim and/or Hermit Roads

The Hermit Road provides some very dramatic views of the heart of the Canyon. There are a number of turnouts along the way at which you can stop and take the time to fully appreciate the Canyon. At least one hour, and preferably two or more, should be allowed to drive to Hermit's Rest and return to the village area. During the summer months the Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles and the only access is via a Park Service Shuttle.

The scenery along the Desert View Drive contrasts greatly with that of the Hermit Road. This section of the Canyon is much wider and more open. The highest point on the south rim, Grandview Point, is on the east rim and is one of the best places to view the Canyon. Yaki Point is one of my favorite places to watch sunrise or sunset. Desert View provides an excellent view of the Colorado River. The Tusayan Ruins are also located near the eastern end of the Desert View Drive.

Both the East and Hermit Roads provide some excellent spots for a picnic. Those along the Desert View Drive provide more shade and actually have picnic tables.

Attend a ranger program

Many ranger programs are presented throughout the day. These consist of nature walks, geology talks, children's programs, archeology tours, history talks and evening programs. Check your copy of THE GUIDE for the SOUTH RIM for exact times and locations.

One Day

Any of all of the above plus a short hike into the Canyon

Hike the Bright Angel Trail to the 1 1/2 or 3 mile resthouses, the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge (3 miles round-trip) or the Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring (4 miles round-trip). Make sure that you allow 1/3 of your time to hike in and 2/3 to hike out. You may think it's a breeze on the way down but that long, steady, uphill climb on the way out will get you. The Bright Angel Trail has water available at the resthouses from spring through fall only, it is turned off during the winter months. Carry a bottle of water or a canteen.

Two Days

Visit Phantom Ranch

If you plan far enough ahead you can arrange to go down by mule. If you did not plan far enough in advance or if you just don't trust the mules, you can still walk down, assuming there is someplace for you to stay down there. Accomodations at Phantom Ranch are typically sold out more than a year in advance. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp at Bright Angel Campground which is only ½ mile from the ranch. The ranch also has dormitory accommodations which are available to hikers for a nominal fee. The meals served at the Phantom Ranch Canteen are spectacular. Meals must be reserved a day in advance.

Do an overnight hike

There are a number of trails in the Grand Canyon that you can use for a simple overnight trip. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp anywhere below the rim overnight. Some very good overnight trips are:

Hermit Trail to Hermit Camp and/or Hermit Rapids
Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa
Tanner Trail to Tanner Rapids

Three Or More Days

Raft the Colorado River

There is an excellent web site already established that deals solely with Grand Canyon River Running at www.azstarnet.com/grandcanyonriver. A river trip can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.

My wife and I did a 13-day river trip in May, 1997 and it was the "Trip Of A Lifetime". A complete report of this trip, with maps and photos, can be found on the main GRAND CANYON Explorer web site at www.kaibab.org/gc/tr971/gc_raft.htm.

Do a multi-day backpacking trip

There are some very nice loop-hikes and wilderness trails that will take you deep into the Canyon to places where few have gone. Part of this type of hike will undoubtedly use the Tonto Trail as it runs all the way from Red Canyon in the east (Tanner Canyon if you count the Escalante Route as being part of it, which I do) to west of Bass Rapids in the western portion of the Canyon. Some very nice multi-day hikes are as follows: