Welcome to the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour
Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, and awe-inspiring that you simply have to see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This Grand Canyon South Rim self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails and fills you in on the fascinating history of the canyon and the Native people who once lived there. So get out there and see something incredible!
Bonus Tour
Get a FREE bonus tour of the North Rim with your purchase of the Grand Canyon South Rim tour!
About the Tour
Your first stop will be at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, where you’ll find Mather Point–your first good look at the canyon. Try not to let your jaw hit the floor when you see it!
From there, you’ll proceed to Yavapai Point and the Yavapai Geology Museum, where you’ll get some insider knowledge on the canyon’s complex geology, and how these layers of rock help us see back in time millions of years!
Then, head to Grand Canyon Village for some snacks, souvenirs, and a walk along the South Rim Trail. There’s a reason this trail is the most popular spot in the park: the views it offers are simply astounding. But there’s also plenty of history to be found here. As you walk, you’ll dive into the peculiar construction of the Hopi House, the enigmatic architect who built it, and the heated feud between galleries along the rim.
The next part of the Grand Canyon South Rim tour takes place aboard the free Shuttle. You’ll receive simple directions to the shuttle stop and head down Hermit Road, which isn’t accessible to cars. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at some incredible vistas including Powell Point, Hopi Point, and The Abyss. You’ll arrive at Hermit’s Rest, which features a splendid hiking trail for the avid adventurer, then head back to explore the park’s eastern half.
More great views await you at Pipe Creek Vista and the aptly named Grandview Point, which also features a stupendously lush hike below the canyon’s rim. As you continue toward Moran Point, you’ll get acquainted with the Hopi and their traditions and the Ancient Puebloans who preceded them.
Finally, you’ll arrive at the impressive, medieval-looking Desert View Watchtower, offering more spectacular views and snacks to go with them. The tour concludes here, having taken you through the entire park.
Starting Point Address:
South Entrance:Â 450 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
East Entrance: Grand Canyon East Entrance, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Update on Road Conditions (As of March’23)
This road status information is valid from Friday, March 3, 2023, at 3:30 pm, and it will remain valid until conditions change.Â
- South Entrance Road –Â OPEN
- Desert View Drive –Â OPEN
- Hermit Road – Not OPEN to personal vehicles – Access by Hermit Road (Red) Route shuttle
- North Rim Roads –Â CLOSED for the winter
South Entrance Tour Map
What You'll See
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Welcome to Grand Canyon NP
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South Entrance Station
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Grand Canyon National Park Sign
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Grand Canyon Visitor Center
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Mather Point
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Yavapai Point
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Yavapai Geology Museum
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Grand Canyon Village & Railway
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Hopi House
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Lunch and Ice Cream
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Lookout Studio & Kolb Studio
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Kolb Studio / The Kolb Brothers vs. The Man
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Hermit Road Shuttle Route
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Trailview Overlook
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Maricopa Point
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Powell Point
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Hopi Point
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Mohave Point
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The Abyss
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Monument Creek Vista
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Pima Point
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Hermit's Rest
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Pipe Creek Vista
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Duck On A Rock Viewpoint
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Grandview Point
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Moran Point
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Lipan Point
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Navajo Point
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Desert View Watchtower
Preview the Tour
Welcome
Desert View Watchtower
Tour FAQs
The canyon’s average depth is about 4,000 feet. To give that some perspective, mentally stack 11 football fields length wise. But that’s just the average. At its deepest, it reaches a whopping 6,000 feet!
You can visit the Grand Canyon without a tour, but it’s not recommended. This park has a lot to offer, and even if you do your research in advance, you might end up missing out on a stunning view. Taking a self-guided Grand Canyon tour like this one guarantees that you’ll have seen the best views that the popular South Rim has to offer. Not only that, but tours offer insight into the park’s stunning nature and its history. You’ll be able to leave the park feeling like you understand it on a deeper level.
Nowadays, it’s easy to tour the Grand Canyon by yourself. A self-guided Grand Canyon tour like this one can be downloaded straight to your phone. And traveling by yourself won’t be overwhelming! Action Tour Guide’s Self-Guided Grand Canyon Tour has a straightforward map that guides you along your journey.
The Grand Canyon is actually one of the best national parks to bring dogs! While many only allow dogs in parking areas and campgrounds, the Grand Canyon’s popular South Rim is almost fully open to your canine. So it’s easy to enrich your adventure with a Grand Canyon tour like this one as most tours focus on the South Rim.
Here’s the park’s top 4 must-sees, Hermit Road, Mather Point, Desert View Watchtower, South Kaibab Trail.
When it comes to the Grand Canyon, there’s more than just one good month to pick from. However, the two that stand out are April and October. These mild months are perfect for taking a Grand Canyon tour like this one.
Additional Information
What do we do?
Well simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!Â
Lifetime Validity
​Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.Â
No Network Needed
The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.
Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket. Please visit https://www.recreation.gov/ for more info on entry/admission tickets.
Note the following
Hermit Road isn’t accessible by private vehicle during the summer. The tour will instruct you to park at stop 15 and walk from stops 16-22, then take the shuttle for stops 23-31. The stops after 31, on the eastern side of the park, can once again be accessed via private vehicle.
10 - 12 Hours
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