by Ellen Heyn, Communications Manager
The Grand Canyon — stretching 277 miles long, one mile deep, and, in places, 18 miles across — is massive. People spend their whole lives hiking the canyon's trails and never see all its nooks and crannies.
So, what to do if you have only one day to spend in the park?
Our first bit of advice is to change your travel plans. One day is not nearly enough to see the Grand Canyon. But if you can’t finagle the time, here are some ideas on how to maximize your visit to the South Rim:
NPS photo by Michael Quinn
Want to check the Grand Canyon off your bucket list? Great! So does everyone else. The park attracts more than 6 million visitors each year, making it the second-most-visited national park in the country. To beat the bulk of the crowds and get a jump-start on your day, plan to arrive in time to watch the first light spill over the canyon walls. The ensuing light show makes your pre-dawn wake-up more than worthwhile, plus, you’ll get the added bonus of actually finding a parking spot (lots often fill by mid-morning). Better yet, go during the off-season (November – February).
When you arrive, follow signs to the visitor center and park your vehicle in lots 1–4. From there, you have a couple options:
Tip: The south rim of the Grand Canyon is 7,000 feet high and gets surprisingly chilly. Bring an extra layer, a thermos of coffee, and perch up.
If you can only manage to squeeze one thing from this list into your Grand Canyon visit, it should be this. Hiking is by far the best way to experience the Grand Canyon. From the rim, the canyon looks flat, almost two dimensional. But hike into its depths and the canyon comes to life. You feel its scale in steep grades. You sense its age in trailside fossils. And you see that the Grand Canyon is more than a pile of rocks. What looks lifeless and barren from afar, is chock-full of trees, shrubs, cacti, birds, lizards, and other animals. Here are our top trail picks:
Killer views in under two miles? Yes, please! Descend the initial switchbacks and traverse out to the scenic overlook. Then huff it back up to the trailhead. Expect to spend a couple of hours on the trail. More ›
If your knees or health aren’t up for hiking switchbacks, walk along the Rim Trail instead. Take the red shuttle bus toward Hermit's Rest, get out at any of the stops, and walk along the trail in either direction. When you get tired, catch a bus back to the village. Here are some of our favorite stretches:
• The Abyss to Hopi Point (2.1 miles)
• Powell Point to Bright Angel Trailhead (1.7 miles)
For the overachievers out there, dive into the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. You’ll pass the lush oasis of Indian Garden, returning with sore legs and stories galore. Get an early start, as this is an all-day, rugged hike. Details ›
Note: The park has signs all over reminding you that hiking down is optional; hiking up is mandatory. Hiking in the canyon is often harder than you expect. Be sure to drink water, eat snacks, and listen to your body.
NPS photo by Michael Quinn
How old is the Grand Canyon? How was it formed? How big is it? Find the answers to all your questions and more at the Yavapai Geology Museum. And no need to be a geology buff to enjoy the stop. The small museum features an awesome 3-D relief map of the Grand Canyon, fossil displays, and visuals of Earth’s past climates.
How to get there: There is a parking lot at the museum, but avoid traffic congestion by taking the park shuttle bus. From the visitor center, catch the orange “Rim Route” bus, and it will take you right there.
Rather than settle for mediocre cafeteria food in the village, brown bag it instead. You can find lunch spots just about anywhere along the Rim Trail, but if you’re willing to spend an extra half hour or so, you can find some truly primo picnic real estate.
A few gentle reminders: There are no known cases of squirrel malnutrition on the South Rim. Please, please, please don’t feed them (or any animal, for that matter). Also, be sure to collect your trash and dispose of it in the park trash cans located at all the bus stops and many places within the village.
Find the best picnic spots: From Bright Angel Lodge, take the red shuttle bus toward Hermit's Rest and get out at “The Abyss.” The 1.1-mile stretch of Rim Trail between The Abyss and Mojave Point has at least four picnic tables, each with a magnificent canyon view.
Photo by Liliana Fuchs
Don’t forget the ice cream! After a long day in the sun, treat yourself to an ice cream cone from the Bright Angel Fountain. Located right in the middle of the South Rim hubbub, you’re bound to pass it as some point. Oh, and skip the cherry on top. You’ve got the views.
NPS Photo by Michael Quinn
Desert View Watchtower, designed by Mary Colter in the early 1930s, rises high above the Colorado River and reflects the architecture of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in region for thousands of years. Climb up to the top of the observation deck for 360-degree panoramic views, including the Little Colorado River, the San Francisco Peaks, the Vermilion Cliffs, and the Navajo and Hopi reservations.
More than a pretty building though, Desert View Watchtower is also a space to learn about the Southwest’s earliest residents and modern affiliated tribes. Inside, murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie adorn the walls, and native artists frequently demonstrate their work. The park service is working on transforming Desert View into a cultural heritage site, including first-voice interpretation.
In the unlikely scenario you’ve done everything on this list and still have time and energy for more, here are a few extras:
In the much more likely scenario that your ambition is greater than time allows, you’ll just have to come back. Next time, preferably for more than one day.
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