ADVENTURE YOUR WAY FAMILIES The Bright Angel Trail offers sweeping views and convenient amenities such as water stations, restrooms and shelters along the way. At Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Café at Mather Point, rent a cruiser or e-bike to pedal along the paved Greenway Trail . Or ride in a pink, safari-style Jeep with Pink Adventure Tours , pairing scenic viewpoints with tickets to the award-winning IMAX film, “Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time.” Grand Canyon North Rim 3 RIMS TO EXPLORE AND THE CANYON FLOOR SOUTH RIM Most easily accessible from Phoenix, Sedona or Flagstaff, the South Rim welcomes more visitors than the North Rim and offers the most amenities and attractions in terms of lodging, dining, tours, transportation, viewpoints and family-friendly experiences of Grand Canyon National Park . It is also open year-round. As this area tends to be more popular, book reservations well in advance. HISTORY BUFFS Stroll the mostly paved Rim Trail to explore local history: the Yavapai Museum of Geology , with its educational exhibits; Verkamp’s Visitor Center , one of the oldest buildings in the village; Hopi House , a 1905 Mary Colter-designed Hopi pueblo-style structure and Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio , a gift shop with books about the Grand Canyon. SIGHTSEERS Book the Observation Dome on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams for panoramic views from a glass-enclosed streamliner all the way to the Grand Canyon. For visitors with limited mobility, the Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit allows personal vehicles on Hermit and Yaki Point roads (closed to public traffic), and the 1.3-mile wheelchair-accessible Trail of Time and Mather Point offer even more to see. NORTH RIM Quieter, more remote and offering fewer services, this rugged section of Grand Canyon National Park receives fewer visitors and offers a more outdoor-minded experience. Due to its higher elevation, the North Rim is also cooler in temperature and experiences heavy snowfall in winter, resulting in a shorter season (mid-May to mid-October, weather dependent). WEST RIM Activities abound at this portion of the Grand Canyon, located outside of the national park on Hualapai Tribal Land. Walk on the Skywalk , a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge cantilevered 70 feet over the Grand Canyon; ride the rapids with Hualapai River Runners ; soar 40 miles per hour on the zipline and learn about tribal culture in Eagle Point ’s authentic village. CREATIVE MINDS Explore art and history exhibits on display at the Victorian-era Kolb Studio , the restored home and studio of early adventure photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. Or attend one of the tribal cultural programs at the Desert View Watchtower to experience traditional dance, storytelling sessions and artistic demonstrations in pottery, beading and weaving. CANYON FLOOR Venture to the bottom of the Grand Canyon by mule, on foot or by rafting the Colorado River to make your way to Phantom Ranch , a historic lodge with dormitories and private cabins (available for reservation by a lottery system). Backpackers also can camp at the Bright Angel Campground (permit required). Or drive along Diamond Creek Road , the only vehicle-accessible road into the West-Rim side of the canyon. The road begins in Peach Springs. Obtain the required permit at Hualapai Lodge . ADVENTURES For water fun, take a rip-roaring rafting trip with Advantage Grand Canyon . Hikers wanting stunning views will find them on the strenuous South Kaibab Trail , which offers numerous turnaround points for day-hikes. The 24-mile (one-way) Rim-to-Rim Hike begins from the North Kaibab Trail before connecting with the Bright Angel Trail for an unforgettable journey. (Hop on the Trans-Canyon Shuttle for a 4.5-hour transit between rims.) ARAMARK DESTINATIONS Scan the QR code for an insider’s guide on how to do the 24-mile Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike the “right way.” 7
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2025-26: Page 7
