Grand Canyon National Park

Shuttle Bus and Logistics Attractions / Activities Adventurous Activities Activity Schedule and Map Food Final Comments

The Grand Canyon, located in Grand Canyon National Park, is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Characterized by massive canyons and bands of rock, the Grand Canyon is a marvel of nature, containing a wealth of geological information spanning nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s history.

No photo or description could do this natural wonder of the world justice. This majestic destination should be seen at least once in your lifetime. And this adventure guide will help you maximize your time and fun in the Grand Canyon.

Recommended Duration of Visit

3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable), 1 day (difficult)^[1]

[1] You’ll be able to see most of the Grand Canyon, but you will miss out on many of the smaller attractions and hikes. Fortunately, if you choose to stay late, you can still stargaze and take night photos.

Recommendations: Before Arriving

Download an offline map of the entire Grand Canyon National Park region, check the weather, prepare all your gear, and finalize nearby lodging.

Recommendations: Adventure Gear

Sun protection, sunglasses, hats, closed-toe shoes (preferably with ankle support), and walking sticks, among others. A first aid kit, headlamp, bear repellent (although bears are very rare), and map are recommended if you plan to adventure into the wilderness.

Click for some interesting facts about Grand Canyon National Park

The Colorado River is essentially liquid sandpaper, using the sediments it carries to carve the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon’s origins actually date back 1840 million years ago as volcanic island chains collided with a growing North American continent. The violent collisions crumpled rock layers into mountains. Magma welded the rock mass to the edge of the continent. Over time, the Grand Canyon’s foundation was laid.
The Grand Canyon is easily observable from space.
The Grand Canyon is slightly larger than the entire state of Delaware.
About 90% of Visitors visit the larger South Rim (because the North Rim has fewer attractions).
The rock squirrel is the most dangerous animal in the Grand Canyon. Those beasts!

PEAK SEASONS

Summer is the peak season. From June to August, the days are long and the weather is perfect (albeit quite hot towards the middle of summer).

During the peak season, shuttle bus usage is mandatory via Hermit Road. Refer to the Shuttle Bus Logistics section below for further relevant information.

GRAND CANYON’S STORY

Carved over 5 million years by the Colorado River and spans over 2 billion years of history (covered more in the Interesting Facts section).

ATTRACTIONS

The Grand Canyon, Desert View Tower, and Tusayan Ruin, among others.

Ace near 100-Year Anniversary Sign, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States

LANDSCAPE

277 miles² (446 kilometers²) of canyon approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) deep and 10 miles (16 km) across.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Grand Canyon Star Party is from June 22 to June 29. It’s a massive stargazing event with presentations, telescopes, and night photography tips, among others.

PLANNING

Tusayan is the closest town for lodging. If you do not have one, purchase the annual pass (you can get this at any national park entrance) that grants access to any national park.

Make sure to check the Grand Canyon website for additional information (especially since weather and shuttle bus logistics sometimes change from year to year).

GRAND CANYON’S STORY

Carved over 5 million years by the Colorado River and spans over 2 billion years of history (covered more in the Interesting Facts section).

PEAK SEASONS

Summer is the peak season. From May to September, the days are long and the weather is perfect (albeit quite hot towards the middle of summer).

During the peak season, shuttle bus usage is mandatory via Hermit Road. Refer to the Shuttle Bus Logistics section below for further relevant information.

LANDSCAPE

277 miles² (446 kilometers²) of canyon approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) deep and 10 miles (16 km) across.

ATTRACTIONS

The Grand Canyon, Desert View Tower, and Tusayan Ruin, among others.

PLANNING

Tusayan is the closest town for lodging. If you do not have one, purchase the annual pass (you can get this at any national park entrance) that grants access to any national park.

Make sure to check the Grand Canyon website for additional information (especially since weather and shuttle bus logistics sometimes change from year to year).

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Grand Canyon Star Party is from June 22 to June 29. It’s a massive stargazing event with presentations, telescopes, and night photography tips, among others.

Shuttle Bus and Logistics

Shuttle Bus Schedule
Dates	From March to November, Hermit road (the Red line) is accessible via bus only. The Blue and Orange lines are available year-round. Refer to the Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus Schedule for more information on the Purple line (often closed).
Arrival Times	Times may vary slightly from year to year, but the first bus usually leaves no later than 9 am. Shuttles arrive every 15 minutes.
Bus Lines	There are four routes: orange, red, blue, and purple. Orange and Red are the scenic routes. Blue travels through the historic village and to the red route. The Purple route travels east towards Tusayan. Refer to the Grand Canyon Shuttle Bus Schedule for more information. You can download a South Rim Pocket Map with details on all the routes.
Parking Lot	Although there is plenty of parking throughout the Canyon, parking lots are usually full from 10 am to 3 pm, especially during the summer (although it's still manageable).

- Make sure to pick up a shuttle schedule at the entrance or Visitor Center.
- First and foremost, all shuttles are free.
- The last bus stops around 7:30 pm for the Red line (Hermit Road). The Red line is actually to the far left of the Grand Canyon (at the end of the Blue Line).

The Visitor Center is the central hub for all buses (except the Red line).

Attractions and Activities

Attractions Overview

Duration of Stay: Although you can see the major parts of the Grand Canyon in 1 day’s time, 2-3 days is recommended.
Vantage Points: The Grand Canyon is absolutely massive. If you’re adventurous, there will be plenty of locations with minimal tourists and obstructions. Do note that some of these locations are quite dangerous (like the ledge where I’m sitting in one of the photos), so find them at your own risk.
Beneath the Milky Twilight: The Grand Canyon is also a great place to visit at night. You don’t see shit—until you look up. Due to nonexistent light pollution, you can take some of the most breathtaking photos (with a tripod) of the Milky Way. It’s also incredibly surreal and peaceful to simply lie there and stargaze.

Attractions Overview

Duration of Stay: Although you can see the major parts of the Grand Canyon in 1 day’s time, 2-3 days is recommended.
Vantage Points: The Grand Canyon is absolutely massive. If you’re adventurous, there will be plenty of locations with minimal tourists and obstructions. Do note that some of these locations are quite dangerous (like the ledge where I’m sitting in one of the photos), so find them at your own risk.
Beneath the Milky Twilight: The Grand Canyon is also a great place to visit at night. You don’t see shit—until you look up. Due to nonexistent light pollution, you can take some of the most breathtaking photos (with a tripod) of the Milky Way. It’s also incredibly surreal and peaceful to simply lie there and stargaze.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center: The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the central hub of the entire region. Buses route through here and there is plenty of parking space. It is also very elaborate, with detailed exhibits, plenty of useful information, and even a passport stamping station.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Mather Point: This classic viewpoint along the South Rim offers mesmerizing canyon vistas within walking distance of the Visitor Center. It is also a prime spot for stargazing and night photography.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is located South of the Grand Canyon (on South Entrance Road). This is the main visitor center. There are numerous signs detailing hiking information throughout the Canyon (indicating difficulty, duration, and recommended food supply, among others). The Star Party will be held here as well. There are numerous large parking lots surrounding the Center and bus usage is not mandatory during peak seasons (with the exception of the red route).

There is a bus that heads directly to Mather Point, but walking to it is entirely possible. Mather Point is in the direction of Canyon Rim. Follow the signs and you’ll see it. For reference, there is a small map with reference points and arrows (in the Shuttle Bus & Logistics section). On a final note, Mather Point is where most of the tourists are. However, there are other great spots if you keep walking to the left of the Point. Again, some of these vantage points can be dangerous, so find them at your own risk.

South Rim: The South Rim is essentially the entire southern section of the Grand Canyon, stretching for miles with an abundance of incredible views. There are also various hiking trails deep into the canyon—all the way to the Colorado River.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Market Plaza: Market Plaza has a United States Post Office, Chase Bank, electric vehicle charging station, small restaurant, and general store. The store has hiking clothing alongside equipment, food, electronics, and alcohol, among others.

Cost: Whatever you spend. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

With enough patience, you will be able to locate numerous excellent vantage points for photos (with minimal to nonexistent crowds) as you stroll along South Rim. There is also a walkway partway down into the canyon.

The General Store was a huge lifesaver for me since it had a wide assortment of energy food and drinks. Definitely drop here and stock up before planning any major hike throughout the canyon. Essential survival equipment can be found here as well.

Moran Point: As one of the numerous popular viewing points in the Grand Canyon, Moran Point appears deceptive simple. In addition to the gorgeous views, Moran Point actually provides a clear look at rock formations that are almost 2 billion years old. It is here that you’ll find clear variations in rock formations and be able to see history in the making.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

Tusayan Ruin: The Tusayan Ruin—an 800-year-old Pueblo Indian site—is considered a major archeological site in Arizona. The ruins feature ancient living spaces, storage spaces, and kivas (spiritual and political meeting rooms)—all against a scenic backdrop of a small forest. There will be small placards of relevant information scattered throughout the Ruin as well.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Guides frequently stop in this area and provide valuable information/advice, so I recommend checking the Visitor Center for further details on timing.

There are free guided tours of the Ruin from 11 am to 2 pm every day, and the nearby Tusayan Museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The museum is free to visit.

Desert View Drive: In addition to the incredible views, Desert View Drive provides an excellent opportunity to spot some of the amazing wildlife in the region. The Tusayan Ruins is along this route.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Desert View Watchtower: This 70-foot (21-meter) stone building represents an illusion of time. Although modern in construction, the tower features a weathered stone exterior, numerous works of arts and exhibits within, an observation deck, and a panoramic view of the Canyon.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

If you drive slowly and fully take in the surroundings, it is very common to spot some wildlife. I was fortunate enough to find a massive elk just hanging by the side of the road (a very rare occurrence). Well, he actually just blocked my car and wanted me to hang out with him (true story).

From the visitor center, it takes 35 minutes one way to reach the tower by car. The scenery is quite different compared to the canyon section near the Visitor Center and Mather Point. Aside from the picturesque tower, there will be plateaus and even a visible Colorado River.