Our Favorite Grand Canyon Attractions at the South Rim

We have to admit that one of our favorite South Rim Grand Canyon attractions is just sitting and watching the light change on the canyon walls.

But there are so many other great Grand Canyon activities for every age and level of ability.

Visiting all of the overlooks is one of the top Grand Canyon attractions

So what should you see and do?

Start by determining how much time you have at the canyon.

Only have a few hours? Definitely see as many different canyon views as possible and walk the Rim Trail away from Grand Canyon Village.

Getting just a few hundred yards away from this busy area will allow you to savor a quieter canyon experience.

Here for a week? Some of the must-do South Rim Grand Canyon attractions include hiking the trails, participating in a ranger program and visiting all the stops along the Rim Drives.

To avoid crowds during the summer peak season, start your sightseeing early in the day.

Most importantly, you’ll need to make reservations several months in advance for popular activities such as mule rides, river rafting trips and overnight stays at Phantom Ranch.

Below are some of the best South Rim Grand Canyon attractions.

Grand Canyon Attractions around Grand Canyon Village

Grand Canyon Visitor Center
This is the place to start if you’re new to exploring Grand Canyon attractions.

The Canyon View Information Plaza is a group of buildings that serve as the South Rim's main visitor center. This is one of the first stops as you drive in from the park’s south entrance.

We recommend checking in at the South Rim Visitor Center and speaking with a ranger to get ideas on what to see and do.

Be sure to drop by the Grand Canyon National Park Association’s great bookstore where you can pick up field guides, hiking books, souvenirs and see canyon displays. The main plaza also has large maps and informational panels.

Location: about 3 miles west of Grand Canyon Village

The Rim Drives
Some of the best Grand Canyon attractions for all ages are the Rim Drives. The two roads that snake along the edge of the canyon, east and west, are called the East Rim Drive and West Rim Drive respectively.

These scenic routes each have several viewpoints along their length, giving spectacular views into the canyon.

In summer, the 7 mile West Rim Drive (aka Hermit Road) is closed to personal vehicles. Instead, visitors can ride the free park shuttles that stop at all of the nine overlooks.

Where should you disembark for a view?

Hopi Point extends farther into the canyon than any other along Hermit Road. Mohave Point is a great place for views of the Colorado River. Both Mohave and Pima Points are the most popular for seeing the sunset.

The Abyss offers one of the deepest views into the canyon. Pima Point is one of the best places to see and, sometimes hear, the river from the splashing of powerful Granite Rapids below.

The East Rim Drive (aka Desert View Drive) stretches from the Canyon View Informational Plaza 25 miles west to the Desert Watchtower. There are six spectacular canyon viewpoints, five unmarked pullouts with views and four picnic areas.

Highlights include the Grandview Point, Moran Point, Tusayan Ruins and the Watchtower.

The majority of the drive is open to passenger vehicles all year round. The only exception is Yaki Point, which is accessible by shuttle bus only during summer. In addition to spectacular views, Yaki Point is where the scenic but strenuous South Kaibab Trail begins its descent into the canyon.

The Rim Trail
Hiking the Rim Trail is one of our favorite South Rim Grand Canyon attractions because it offers us a chance to quickly escape the crowds at the popular Grand Canyon Village.

This easy and mostly flat trail winds right along the canyon's rim, providing jaw-dropping vistas at every point.

The route spans 12 miles, starting from Yaki Point in the east, continuing past Grand Canyon Village and ending at Hermit's Rest at the end of West Rim Drive. Plus, almost all of it is paved.

Short on time? Walk short stretches of the trail and catch the free shuttle bus back to the Village.

Or pack a lunch and water and spend the day exploring its entire length. There are plenty of places to stop and just sit and enjoy the views along the way.

Location: The Rim Trail follows the rim of the Canyon, from Hermits Rest to the west, to Pipe Creek Vista to the east.

Notes:

• Going east from Maricopa Point to Pipe Creek Vista, the Rim Trail is paved and mostly wheelchair accessible.
• Heading west from Maricopa Point to Hermits Rest, the section of the Rim Trail between Powell Point and Monument Creek Vista is a 3-foot wide dirt trail and close to the rim's edge.
• There is no water along the trail; so bring your own. Be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Bicycles are not allowed on the Rim Trail except on the section known as the Greenway Trail (2.8 miles) between Monument Creek Vista and Hermits Rest.

California Condors
One of our favorite Grand Canyon attractions can sometimes be elusive but is definitely worth waiting to see — the California condor.

Condors, the largest bird in North America, once soared throughout the west. However, by the 1980s, only 22 remained.

A massive captive breeding and reintroduction program led to the release of condors into the Grand Canyon area in 1996. Today, over 70 condors live in northern Arizona and southern Utah.

The South Rim is a great place to see these magnificent, huge black birds, which have an average wingspan of 9 feet.

Wait on the patio area behind the Bright Angel Lodge in Grand Canyon Village in the late afternoon. The condors often soar over this part of the canyon late in the day and even land on the rocky outcroppings below the rim.

Condor biologists report that the birds are naturally inquisitive and all the human activity gets their attention. Seeing these magnificent birds is a rare gift and a thrilling sight not to be missed.

Mather Point
This is the first major viewpoint after entering the park on northbound Highway 64. Here, you’ll get the first of many awe-inspiring views of the canyon.

There are several overlooks that extend out into the canyon for a bird’s eye view down into Pipe Creek Canyon, over 7,000 feet below.

You can also start walking the Rim Trail from here, too.

Interesting fact: Mather Point is named for Stephen Mather. Not only was he the National Park Service's first director, he also worked tirelessly to promote, protect and add new parks to the fledgling park system, helping shape it into the unique institution it is today.

Location: On the south entrance road near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Yavapai Point
One of the best South Rim Grand Canyon attractions for seeing the canyon is also one of the best places for understanding the canyon's geology.

The Yavapai Observation Station at Yavapai Point has excellent views of the canyon and the Colorado River.

Scientists specifically chose this site for the station to study the canyon’s features. The views include tributary canyons of the Colorado River, inner canyon mesas and the North Rim. There are also glimpses of Indian Gardens and Phantom Ranch, both inner canyon camps that appear as ribbons of green from above.

First opened in 1928, the station was the South Rim’s first interpretative center.

Inside, photographs, models and artwork explain the geology of the Grand Canyon.

Exhibits describe rock layers, the uplift of the Colorado Plateau and the creation of the Grand Canyon.

Even the Yavapai Point bookstore offers great views of the canyon through its bay windows.

Location: East of the Canyon View Information Plaza

Hopi House
Shopping may not be on your list of Grand Canyon attractions but don’t let that stop you from visiting Hopi House, the largest gift shop at the Grand Canyon.

Designed by architect Mary Colter, this Pueblo style building first opened in 1905.

It’s worth visiting for its history and architecture but also because it specializes in Native American crafts and jewelry. Upstairs, there is a Native American art gallery.

Location: East side of El Tovar Hotel.

Hours: Open daily year-round 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., additional open hours may vary by season.

Kolb Studio
Of all the South Rim Grand Canyon attractions, the Kolb Studio is the only one that’s built right into the side of the canyon.

First constructed in 1904, the small building has gone through many changes and yet it remains perched at the canyon's edge.

This historic site is the former home and photographic studio of brothers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb.

The daring and entrepreneurial pair, who were the first to film a canyon river trip, earned money by photographing visitors to the Grand Canyon and showing their movie.

Their photos inspired the first visitors to come to the canyon, despite the difficulties reaching it in those days, and helped turn the canyon into a major tourist attraction.

Today, the Kolb Studio features a bookstore upstairs and free art exhibits downstairs.

Location: In the Village Historic District at the Bright Angel Trailhead.

Hours: Open daily year-round 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., extra open hours vary by season.

Lookout Studio
The Lookout Studio is another distinctive Mary Colter-designed building and, in trying to look like the Kolb Studio, it was built at the edge of the rim.

In 1914, the powerful Fred Harvey Company commissioned the building in hopes of drawing visitors – and money – away from their commerce rivals’ the Emery Brothers. And that it did.

No longer a photographer’s studio, today it is a gift shop that sells rocks and minerals, jewelry, souvenirs and a large selection of photography.

There is also a telescope available for viewing the canyon from the Lookout’s large windows.

Location: Between Bright Angel Lodge and the Kolb Studio.

Hours: Open daily year-round 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., additional open hours may vary by season.

West Rim Grand Canyon Attractions

Hermits Rest
Tucked into the hillside and surrounded by junipers and pinyon pines, this limestone building with its signature rock cairn chimney looks like it could have been home to a hermit.

Like so many other distinctive buildings at the canyon, architect Mary Colter designed it in 1914.

Inside, the centerpiece of the building is a large, stone fireplace. Outside, Hermits Rest offers great views of the Grand Canyon from its wooden porch.

This historic area is named in honor of Louis Boucher, a French Canadian prospector and tour guide, who lived alone here for over 20 years.

Of all the South Rim Grand Canyon attractions, Hermits Rest is the westernmost point on the West Rim.

This is a popular area for bicycling because there are no cars on this road.

Snacks can be purchased from a window and a small gift shop sells Native American crafts, t-shirts and books. There are a number of portable toilets behind the building.

The Hermit trail, a steep and difficult but very scenic trail also begins here. Inquire with a ranger about trail conditions before hiking this trail.

Note: Access to Hermits Rest is by the free park shuttle bus or commercial bus only from March 1 – November 30 (no private vehicles during this time).

Location: At the end of West Rim Drive (Hermit Rim Road).

Hours: Open daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, additional open hours may vary by season.

East Rim Grand Canyon Attractions

Tusayan Ruins and Museum
Long before Europeans first saw the canyon, native peoples called the greater canyon area home. The Tusayan Ruins are one of the best Grand Canyon attractions for discovering these ancient cultures.

The ruins are the remnants of an ancestral Puebloan village. Occupied around 1184 AD, archaeologists believe the village was home to 25 to 30 people. You can walk an easy path that meanders through the site.

Afterwards, stop in at the Tusayan Museum. The fascinating exhibits detail prehistoric life with illustrations of ancestral Puebloan culture. The collection of prehistoric artifacts includes arrowheads, pottery, and 2,000 – 4,000 year old split twig figurines.

Location: located 3 miles west of Desert View.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Desert View Watchtower
Standing out from all the South Rim Grand Canyon attractions is the spectacular, 70-foot tall Desert View Watchtower at Desert View Point.

At 7,500 feet, this dramatic and historic stone structure offers the highest viewpoint on the South Rim.

A walk up the spiral staircase inside takes you to the top of the tower.

From up here you can see the North Rim, the Colorado River, the San Francisco Peaks to the south and the Painted Desert to the east.

A visit here is worth it just for this panoramic view.

The impressive Watchtower’s distinctive look is due to the equally impressive talents of one woman - architect Mary Colter.

Her appreciation and respect for the landscape and the area’s native cultures inspired her to design the tower to resemble the ancestral Puebloan watchtowers found throughout the Four Corners region.

Hopi artist Fred Kabotie painted the beautiful murals of Kachina spirits that adorn the tower’s interior walls.

The Watchtower also houses the Kiva gift store, which sells Native American crafts, jewelry and books.

Since it opened in 1933, the Watchtower has been one of the most popular Grand Canyon attractions. Besides the tower and viewpoint, there’s a good visitor center and bookstore in a small stone building near the tower.

If you’re driving the East Rim, this is also a major stop because this is the last place with conveniences until you reach Cameron, about one hour away.

Also a short walk away from the tower is the Desert View Trading Post, which has a gift shop and snack bar with cafeteria style food. While there is indoor seating, we chose to have our lunch on picnic tables outside and watch the clever ravens searching for food scraps.

There is also a gas station and campground at Desert View.

Note: It is an easy, ¼ mile walk from the parking lot to the tower.

Location: From Grand Canyon Village take East Rim Drive (aka Desert View Drive), which is also called Highway 64, east 25 miles. The Desert View Watchtower is near the east entrance to the park.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, additional open hours may vary by season.

Grand Canyon Attractions in Tusayan, Arizona

Grand Canyon IMAX®
One of the most popular Grand Canyon attractions isn't even in the park. The National Geographic Visitor Center and IMAX® theater draws crowds of tourists to see its wild ride of a movie that gives an intimate glimpse into the canyon.

Read our Grand Canyon IMAX® Theater page to find out more about the film.

This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the park before making reservations and/or travel plans.

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