I visited the South Rim as the North Rim was still closed. The sheer scale of the Grand Canyon was…read moremind-boggling. I walked around the village, checking out the art shop and the hotels (and grabbing brunch at El Tovar Hotel). The Geology Museum has more information about the formation of the area, as well as a small gift shop. I made it a bit down Bright Angel Trail, marveling at the views. I also did the 25 mile scenic drive towards the east on Desert View Drive - definitely stop at some pull outs since the views are different as you go along the rim. Things I have to do in the future: -Take the shuttle to Hermit's rest (be sure to sit on the right side since you get all the views that way) since it was wayyy too crowded when I looked at the bus stop -Get a ticket to climb up Desert View's tower. I wish there was more information about the Indigenous peoples and their cultures who lived in this area. There wasn't a lot of information provided, but a lot about the architect who designed a lot of the buildings. It seemed unbalanced. Also, I wish that Desert View went into more history of the building - apparently it was controversial when it was built. I actually have to laugh at the 1 star reviews. I think those reviewers would have been satisfied looking at a photo of the Grand Canyon instead of visiting the real thing!

Ahhhmazing! A must visit for sure! We drove a little over 2 hours from Sedona. Took some pics at…read morethe Grand Canyon entrance sign and drove straight to their visitor parking lot. I suggest going a bit early as the parking fills up. The visitor center, gift shop, restrooms, and shuttle buses are all convenient located there. We prepared our itinerary beforehand, since we were only there for the day. Make sure to check out the various shuttle schedules and stops. We decided to do the South Rim Trail= shuttle to Powell point, hiked 3.5 miles along rim to Monument Creek Vista, then picked up shuttle to Hermit's Rest - this is the end of the road on the south side. From here, the shuttle ride back to visitors center is approximately 30-40 minutes. We stopped at the General Store for a bite to eat and souvenirs. While eating lunch at a table outdoors, a sweet moose made a visit to some neighboring tables : D We made it back to the visitors center and did some more souvenir shopping. The hike along the South Rim was gorgeous! Almost unreal, like a postcard. Most areas do not have any railing , so hike at your own risk. We came across some deer and wildlife. But , we took lots of pics and the pics do not do it justice. The scenery was unbelievable. You'll also be able to view the Colorado River from above. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, lunch if you can and have fun!

Perfect spot for those wanting the full Grand Canyon experience in the south rim. The area features…read morehistoric stays like El Tovar, Bright Angel and cabins, plus dining and gift shops. The highlight was walking a few miles of the Rim Trail with our dog, it's such a pet-friendly way to soak in those stunning canyon views. It gets a bit chilly up here so I was glad to have my jacket during our early March trip. There's clean restrooms near the bus drop off area, but not on the actual trail. There is no fee for parking, but finding an open space can be difficult during peak hours. A truly lovely time spent here!

Beautiful park with plenty of rangers to answer questions. Easy to walk around to gift shops,…read morerestaurants and the hotel which is a must see!

Had a beautiful time! Bring some quarters to put into the binoculars. Has a gift shop inside they…read moretake cards. Bathrooms, parking and picnic tables are near by. Great family outing !

The Desert View Watchtower is a 70 foot iconic stone structure that can be seen from quite a…read moredistance away. It has four stories and was designed by architect Mary Colter in 1932. The Watchtower is located in the Desert View area next to the East entrance. You are able to enter and explore the lower level of the Watchtower called the Kiva Room. There are many windows that you can view the Grand Canyon from. The interior of the tower also has a lot of beautiful stone carvings on the walls. In the Desert View area are bathrooms, a gift shop, general store, and a trading post. Just outside the watchtower is Desert View Point. At this viewpoint you can see the Colorado River make a sharp 90-degree turn to the west. If you drive west on Desert View Drive, there are quite a few other beautiful viewpoints along the way until you get to Grand Canyon Village. If you are traveling on the on US 89, you can get to Desert View by turning west onto State Route 64 in Cameron, AZ. Then travel about 25 miles until you get to the East Entrance. The Desert View area is right after you enter the park. The Watchtower is easy to locate as soon as you enter. It is a popular spot because this is the first viewpoint you can visit as you enter the park. So expect some crowds.

Yeah, it sounds strange to rate an entrance station. I had the same thought pulling up to Grand…read moreCanyon South Entrance Station. But here we are. We've got the lifetime America the Beautiful pass, so the whole interaction took maybe ten seconds. Hand it over, quick nod, a "have a great day," and we're through. No friction, no awkward fumbling, no bottleneck. Just clean, efficient movement. What impressed me is how well it works considering the volume. This is the main way into the South Rim, and it sees a constant stream of cars. Families, tour buses, people who planned ahead, people who clearly did not. And somehow it still functions without feeling like a mess. Multiple lanes, clear direction, and rangers who keep things moving without rushing you out the door. There's also a human element that hasn't been stripped away. It's not robotic. Even in a quick exchange, there's a sense you're being welcomed, not processed. And then you drive on. That's where it clicks. You're not just entering a park. You're crossing into something that has been carved, layered, and exposed over spans of time that don't fit neatly into human thinking. No fanfare, no big reveal at the gate. Just a quiet shift. Trees thin out, the road carries you forward, and somewhere ahead is one of the most staggering landscapes on Earth. It's a small moment, technically. A checkpoint, a transaction. But it's also the threshold to something enormous. Five stars for doing exactly what it's supposed to do, and doing it well. Sometimes the simplest part of the journey sets the tone for everything that follows.

First time to the Grand Canyon and hopefully not the last. What was a welcome gift was free…read moreadmission due to government shut down. Seemed useless to have someone at the gate just hand out maps. The visitor center was closed but bathrooms and shuttle busses still running.

Can't stop thinking about the oatmeal I had during the breakfast buffet. It is hands down the best…read moreoatmeal I've ever had. Our server was kind and attentive. The buffet was $20 per person, and the food was pretty good. The buffet included eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, bread and muffins, and fruit. We also stayed a night in the lodge cabins. It wasn't really my vibe. It was very dusty with a lot of bugs and insects. It was do-able for a night, and it's the only place to stay at the North Rim. I got up at 4:45AM to watch the sunrise before breakfast. It was spectacular!

Food was good in general. The brisket my husband got was too dry though. I think for what you pay…read morefor, it wasn't spectacular though. Also, if you're more than four people eating there, you don't get a seat near the window, to appreciate the beautiful view of the canyon, which was the reason why we selected to eat here. So, keep that in mind.

This is the most popular hiking trail into Grand Canyon! Even though it is well-traversed, this is…read morealso a dangerous trail for people who are not prepared, as it's wayy easier hiking down...but you have to contend with the hike up. Also, there is limited water on the trail (and sometimes there are pipeline breaks), with not a lot of shade. With hot weather, this could be a deadly hike. The trail head has bathrooms and a water filling station. Definitely use them before hiking down. This hike is well maintained, with mules sharing the trail. You can see them...or at least smell them as they leave poop on the trail. I hiked down to the Second Tunnel (1.8 miles) and it wasn't too bad, but I was unfortunately limited on time. It seems past this point the crowds thinned out. Havasupai Gardens at 9 miles round trip is the most the rangers recommend as a day trip. I loved how the view of the Canyon changed as I descended the trail!

Perhaps the most famous route in the Grand Canyon, or at least along the South Rim. That being…read moresaid, it's obviously well-travelled and therefore well marked. Water filling stations at the top. There are landmarks along the way, so you know how far you've gone (in case you're not tracking it on your watch or phone). We turned around at the second tunnel, which was 0.8 miles down apparently. Lots of signage at the Visitors Center and the trailhead that warn of the dangers. Definitely not the place to start if you're embarking on a serene backpacking trip, but a fun "I accomplished that" route for an extended day hike.

There's a reason Mather Point is where so many people start. It would be easy for a place this…read moreaccessible to feel overrun or diluted. It doesn't. If anything, it delivers one of the most honest introductions to the canyon you can get. You don't just step out of the car and see it all at once. There's a short walk from the parking area, a gradual approach, and then the land simply gives way. No warning, no buildup. One moment you're on solid ground, the next you're staring out over a void that seems to stretch beyond what your eyes can process. The first impression is scale. Not just "big," but disorienting in a way that takes a minute to settle. Layers of rock stacked and carved into something that looks almost unreal. Ridges folding into one another, shadows cutting across entire sections of the canyon floor, colors shifting depending on how the light hits them. You find yourself trying to pick a focal point and failing, because there isn't just one. We spent a good amount of time moving along the Rim Trail from this point, and that's where it really opens up. It's not a hike in the traditional sense, more of a slow, deliberate walk that lets you experience the canyon from different angles without losing that initial impact. The terrain is easy, but the experience isn't shallow. Every few steps, something changes. A new formation catches the light differently, a deeper cut in the canyon reveals itself, or the Colorado River flashes briefly in the distance like it's reminding you what carved all of this in the first place. There's an energy here that's hard to pin down. People talk quieter. Conversations trail off. Even with a steady flow of visitors, it never feels chaotic. Everyone seems to understand, at least for a moment, that they're standing in front of something that doesn't need to be rushed. What surprised me most is how long it holds your attention. You think you'll take a few photos and move on. Instead, you linger. You watch how the light shifts, how shadows stretch and retreat, how the colors deepen as the sun moves. It's not static. It's constantly changing, and that makes it hard to leave. If you go early, you catch the canyon waking up. The light comes in low, carving out depth and contrast that disappears later in the day. Midday flattens things out, still impressive, but less textured. Late afternoon brings it back again, warmer, softer, almost quieter in tone. It's also one of the most accessible ways to experience the Grand Canyon without sacrificing the impact. You don't need to commit to a full descent or a long hike to feel it. It's right there, immediate and undeniable. And yet, it never feels like a shortcut. There's something about standing at that edge, knowing how long it took for this landscape to become what it is, that puts everything else in perspective. Not in a dramatic way. Just enough to make you pause a little longer than you expected. You can call it a viewpoint. Technically, that's what it is. But it feels more like a threshold.

This was super neat. A lot of people that do not hike come to see the views so it can get kinda…read morepacked. The views are phenomenal though. A must.

This trail is very nice for everyone of all ages and for leashed pets! It's pretty well defined so…read moreyou won't get lost. Most of the trail is paved and some sections are even accessible. It's pretty flat. I would say it's great for a stroll, walking at whatever pace you want for quiet views of the inner canyon. The only drawback is that there's no water on the trail, so be prepared. There are primitive toilets along the trail. At the end of the trail at Hermit's Rest there's running water (and the gift shop with snacks). There are nine scenic overlooks along this trail, although all along the trail you will see amazing views. If you would rather bike, you can bike on the road that kind of follows the rim, or take the shuttle. There are also shuttle stops at various points, so if you only want to do a portion of the Trail that's also doable.

Walking the Rim Trail was easily our favorite part of visiting the Grand Canyon. It's the perfect…read moreway to take in those iconic South Rim views, especially since it's dog-friendly! The path is mostly paved, though we did hit a few moderately steep sections along the way.  There aren't water stations or restrooms directly on the trail, so definitely fill up and use the facilities at the popular stops whenever you can. We drove in and found parking near the lodges (no parking fees). While there are benches and shuttle stations to rest at, keep in mind that dogs aren't allowed on the shuttles, so you'll be walking the whole way back if traveling with your pup. We visited in early March and were definitely glad to have jackets for the chilly weather.

No bathrooms after a 2 hour train ride is not cool. However the prices of tourist items was pretty…read morereasonable

This was our visit to the Grand Canyon for my husband, 10 year old son and I. The depot was clean…read moreand everyone was so friendly. The train it self was super fun! Our train attendant Ava was stellar...very knowledgeable, kind, attentive and funny. The entertainment was great too! This was a wonderful experience.

If you really want to understand the Grand Canyon, you don't stand at the rim. You step off it…read more South Kaibab Trail is not subtle about what it is. There's no easing into it, no gentle introduction. Within minutes, you're descending through tight switchbacks, the rim already pulling away behind you, and that comfortable "overlook" perspective is gone. You're in it now. What makes this trail different is the exposure. It rides out along a ridge, not tucked away or hidden, so the views are constant. There's no point where it closes in or gives you a break. Every step opens something new. Layers of rock stacked like pages, colors shifting depending on where the sun hits, distances that feel close until you realize they're anything but. Early on, you hit that first real vantage point where everything just drops away in front of you. It's the kind of moment that interrupts whatever you were thinking about. You stop, not because you planned to, but because you don't really have a choice. And then you keep going. The trail pulls you downward at a steady, unapologetic grade. It's not technical, but it demands attention. Your footing matters. Your pacing matters. Knees start to take notice on the way down, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you're already aware that every step you're taking is one you'll have to reverse later. There's almost no shade. That's not an exaggeration. Once the sun is up, it owns this trail. That's why going early isn't just a good idea, it's the difference between a great hike and a brutal one. In the early hours, the light cuts across the canyon at an angle, pulling out depth and contrast you just don't get later. Shadows stretch, colors deepen, and the entire landscape feels more alive. By midday, it flattens out and the heat starts pressing down in a way that changes the tone completely. As you descend, the canyon shifts around you. The rock underfoot changes color and texture, walls rise and fall, and the sense of scale keeps slipping just out of reach. You try to make sense of distance, but it doesn't behave the way you expect. What looks like a short stretch can take far longer than it should. Landmarks move. Perspectives lie. There's a point where the noise fades out. Fewer people, more space, just the sound of your own steps and the occasional wind moving through the canyon. It's quiet in a way that feels earned. Not empty, just stripped down to what matters. And then there's the reality check. Going down is the easy part. It always is. The climb back up is where this trail makes its case. The grade doesn't soften. The exposure doesn't change. It's you, the incline, and however well you managed your energy on the way down. It's not impossible, not even close, but it demands respect. You feel it in your legs, your lungs, your pace slowing whether you like it or not. But that's also where something shifts. You're not just looking at the canyon anymore. You're moving through it, working against it, understanding it in a physical way that no overlook can give you. The scale stops being abstract. It becomes something you measure in effort, in time, in breath. By the time you reach the top again, you've earned a completely different perspective than the one you started with. This trail doesn't offer comfort. It offers clarity. It strips things down to effort, environment, and awareness. And in return, it gives you one of the most direct, honest ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Five stars, no hesitation.

I have done Bright Angle Trial a couple of times in the past to the bottom of the Grand Canyon…read more South Kaibab is the other big trail into the Canyon. Over the summer, we camped at the rim and decided to hike South Kaibab a little ways early in the morning before it got too hot. We ended up hiking all the way to Skeleton Point and back. As it approached afternoon, it started to get a little warm. I ended drinking all the water in my CamelBak just before I got to the top. The temperature was climbing fast and I had to use my cooling towel to stay cool. I got to say that I really gained a lot of respect for this Canyon during this short summer hike that I did. The South Kaibab Trail is a 7 mile hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park that leads to the Colorado River. I like this trail because you get 360-degree views of the canyon after you pass Skeleton Point. The trail is mostly shaded until you reach Ooh Aah Point. Then you are out in the open. Up next is Cedar Ridge at 1.5 miles and then Skeleton Point at 3 miles. After that is the Tipoff and Black Suspension Bridge as you are descending into the Canyon. There is no water on the trail until you get to the bottom of the canyon at Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. So bring plenty of it along with snacks, sunscreen, etc. The hike is 15 miles (24 km) roundtrip to Phantom Ranch and will take at least 2 days to complete. If you get to the beginning of the trail early enough, you can probably find parking in the parking lot or on the side of the road. But it fills up quick. Another option is to take the free shuttle to the trailhead from the South Rim Visitor's Center. Both water and restrooms are located at the beginning of the trail. The hike is usually a little busy with people to start off with, but many turn around after reaching Ooh Aah Point. It is also fairly steep with lots of switchbacks, so bring poles if you need them for assistance. Be prepared for a climb on the way back to the parking lot during that last mile. Also keep an eye out for Mules as they use this trail regularly. My recent hike was in June and I saw many people with little or no water. I also saw people with footwear that should not be worn on this trail. It blew me away how uneducated and naive people are about doing these hikes into the canyon. I understand lots of tourists come here, but people need to be a little more careful when hiking the Grand Canyon. Many of the deaths that occur every year in this Canyon can be avoided. On the day that I visited and hiked this trail, they reported several heat related incidents that evening and one death. South Kaibab Trail is a great hike. Enjoy, make a plan and be responsible.