The South Rim is busy, hot and packed with visitors
The majority of the millions of people who visit Grand Canyon National Park every year head to the larger, busier South Rim. It’s no surprise: The South Rim is open year-round; it’s closer to big cities such as Phoenix and Flagstaff, Ariz.; and it has more lodging and food options than its northern counterpart. The South Rim’s Grand Canyon Village is also the gateway to the popular Bright Angel Trail, a strenuous bucket-list hike that descends along a massive fault to the Colorado River. The village also has its own post office and railroad depot, and morning-to-night shuttle buses run between key viewpoints and trailheads. There are also bicycle rentals, guided walking tours, a geology museum and other activities devoted to showcasing the legendary mile-deep gorge that ranks among the world’s most beautiful geological wonders...