The Ultimate Grand Canyon Quick Travel Guide
6 Dos and 6 Don’ts to make the most of your trip to the Grand Canyon, in Arizona.
The one and only Grand Canyon. The magical nature wonder that attracts millions of people from all over the world.
A trip to the Grand Canyon has been in my bucket list forever. But life always kept delaying my plans, for one reason or another. Last Thanksgiving, I decided to be stronger than my excuses and finally had the guts to hit the road – with two kids in tow – to embark on my dream trip!
I’m SO glad I did it! The Grand Canyon lived up to the dream. It was absolutely majestic and breathtaking. And the journey from Dallas towards Arizona and the Grand Canyon surroundings took my breath away – full itinerary to be published soon!
This is a road trip anyone living in Dallas (or anywhere in the world, really) MUST take at least once in a lifetime!
My visit to the Grand Canyon was not free of humps and bumps along the way, of course. I spent two days exploring the National Park. Did everything wrong the first day LOL. Learned from it and had the time of my life in the second one.
Here is what I’ve learned and everything you need to know to skip the tourist traps to make the most of your visit to this awe-inspiring nature wonder:
Grand Canyon "Dos"
1. Use the lesser known Grand Canyon East Entrance
The drive towards the Grand Canyon National Park’s East Entrance is as scenic as it gets.
It features Navajo Lands in one side and the Little Colorado River Gorge in the other, and you enter Kaibab National Forest as you approach the park.
There are several viewpoints along the way, as well as Navajo stands selling authentic native arts and crafts.
Plus, the East Entrance is not as touristic as the South. Lines to access the Grand Canyon National Park tend to be much shorter there (especially important during high season and holidays!), and the setting is absolutely gorgeous.
Grand Canyon’s East Entrance has its own viewing area, featuring a beautiful native themed Desert View Watchtower – go up for panoramic views and for the first wow of the day.
For me, East Grand Canyon felt like a more authentic and less exploited side of the National Park than the (very) touristic South Rim.
I highly recommend you use this entrance for the reasons mentioned above and for the ones that I cover in the “don’ts”.
Only exception here is if you are not visiting by car. The South Rim is your best bet in this case, as it offers free shuttles to explore the Grand Canyon. And there are no shuttles connecting East and South Grand Canyon (they are connected by scenic Desert View Drive, inside the National Park, which can only be traveled using private vehicles).
2. Drive Desert View Drive (or ride the Hermits Rest Route shuttle)
Drive then Desert View Drive, which connects East and South Entrances. It’s a paved and well-maintained road, open year-round (with possible eventual closures due to inclement weather).
Desert View Drive is a gorgeous scenic drive, with amazing stops along the way, including the South Kaibab Trailhead. It was one of my favorite things to do in the Grand Canyon.
If you don’t have a car, ride the red bus in the Grand Canyon South Rim, to explore Hermit Rest Route Instead (in the opposite side of the Grand Canyon from Desert View Drive).
This route also features several viewpoints. Including Hopi Point, considered one of the best places to watch the Sunset at the Grand Canyon National Park because of the unobstructed views.
Both routes deserve your attention, so if you have your own car and have enough time, plan to take the two of them.
3. Walk Grand Canyon's Rim Trail or....
The Rim Trail is a 12.8-mile trail, mostly paved and flat, and accessible in some points.
It’s perfect for a leisure and slow-paced walk, with amazing views of the Grand Canyon along the way.
Some stretches are protected by guardrails and some are not, but it’s a wide path an overall safe even for families with little kids (just keep them close and under control and you should be more than fine).
Grand Canyon’s Rim Trail is a great option to explore the National Park for those that for one reason or another cannot – or choose not to – hike down the Grand Canyon.
You don’t need to walk the whole 12.8 miles – the trail is divided in sections as short as 0.5 miles.
One good option is to park your car at the Yavapai Point and Geology Museum and walk 1.9 miles towards the Bright Angel Trailhead (you can walk one way and take the shuttles back to Yavapai Point later).
This stretch of the Rim Trail has cafes, restaurants and gift shops in the Verkamp’s Visitor Center surroundings (perfect for a lunch break).
From the end of this stretch, nearby the Bright Angel Trailhead, catch the red bus to explore Hermits Rest Route several viewpoints (and maybe stop by Hopi Point for unobstructed views of the most spectacular sunset).
4. ... hike down the Grand Canyon!
Seeing the Grand Canyon from the top is not the same as walking ON it!
(maybe the difference between observing the moon from a spaceship or getting out and walking on it – ok, I might have gone overboard here LOL)
If conditions allow, hike down the Grand Canyon for a more immersive experience.
Hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon can last from long hours to days – and must be an awesome experience.
But you can also hike a small portion of these same trails and still have an amazing time and unique views, reserved only for those who venture into the canyon.
I walked a portion of both Bright Angel Trail, right off the Rim Trail, and South Kaibab Trail, off Desert View Drive.
The trails are steep and scary – there are no guardrails – watch your step and use caution. The views, jaw-dropping.
Ooh Aah Point, 1.8 miles into South Kaibab Trail, is considered the most family-friendly way to hike down the Grand Canyon and said to have spectacular views.
Honestly, I didn’t get this far. There was snow and ice everywhere and I needed to survive this trip to write this post LOL.
If you must choose one among both trails that I mentioned, I would go with Bright Angel. It felt a little easier – at least in the first mile – and the scenery was staggering.
5. Plan to watch a sunrise and a sunset at the Grand Canyon
Those are the best times of the day to breath in Grand Canyon’s undeniable and overwhelming beauty.
Dawn and dusk accentuate the Grand Canyon colors and somehow make it even more stunning.
Here are the best points in the Grand Canyon for sunset and sunrise watching:
- Grandview Point, at Desert View Drive (best for sunrise)
- Yaki Point, not far from the South Rim Visitor Center – it can be reached using the orange shuttle.
- Hopi Point at the Hermits Rest Route (best for sunset) – it’s a popular viewpoint, so head to nearby Mohave or Powell Points if you want to skip the crowds.
6. Explore the Grand Canyon Surroundings
Arizona is a GORGEOUS State, and the National Park surroundings as mesmerizing as the Grand Canyon itself.
Make sure to spare at least 4 to 5 days to explore the must-visit places around.
Be prepared for some driving: Arizona is a big State and most top attractions are within 2h00 – 2h30 from the Grand Canyon – but trust me, they are absolutely worth the drive!
Monument Valley, Sedona and Page should be on the top of your list and are not to be missed (take a look into the pics below and you’ll understand why).
But there are many other amazing things to do and travel destinations around to be considered if you have extra time.
I’ll be covering all the places to visit in the Grand Canyon surroundings, as well as the best stops between Dallas and the Grand Canyon, in my upcoming post.
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Grand Canyon "Dont's"
1. Use the South Entrance during high season or holidays
The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited attractions in the planet. People flock there from the whole world, so crowds are unavoidable, especially during high season.
But there is a smarter way to visit the Grand Canyon than doing what everyone else is told to do, and it can save you some hassles.
One of the most important things to do is to avoid using the South Entrance.
I didn’t know it LOL – to be honest, I didn’t even know I had an alternative until I visited it for the first time. And it costed me one precious hour of my life in the line waiting to enter the park…
Plus, skipping the East Entrance would’ve been a shame, for the reasons I mentioned in the “Dos” above.
So, unless you have a very good reason to use the South Entrance – is on your route and the East Entrance is a huge detour; you don’t have a car or you’re staying in a hotel in the South Rim – avoid it during the busiest times of the year at all costs.
Head to the East Entrance instead, which is even more beautiful and authentic than its counterpart in my opinion.
If you MUST access the park by car through the South Entrance though, and crowds are too bad, you can park your car in the gate community of Tusayan and ride the free purple shuttle into the park, skipping the long entrance lines.
But have in mind that you won’t be able to drive Desert View Drive then – only accessible through private vehicles – and that you must have a valid park entrance to use the shuttle (can be purchased online in advance).
You can also use the Grand Canyon Railway Tour to skip the lines and get into the park. It departs from nearby Williams and reservations must be made in advance.
2. Follow the parking recommendations LOL
“What do you recommend?”, I innocently asked to the lady at the park entrance after grabbing the map she handed to me.
“Go to the Visitor Center. Drive about half a mile until you see it. Then park your car and start from there” said she politely, probably for the thousandth time in the day.
And so, I did. Along with the other zillion people that had been waiting for one hour in the lane to enter the park, just like me, and had heard the very same instructions.
The result? Another 40 minutes driving in loops, trying to find a parking spot.
Just to find out later, when I hopped on the (wrong) bus (LOL) that there are several other parking lots scattered throughout the Grand Canyon Village – most of them almost empty, right on Thanksgiving week.
And that they are just by the places the shuttles take you too (I could have avoided the shuttle waiting time too!).
So, if you ever visit the Grand Canyon by car, do yourself a favor. Look at the map they will hand to you at the booth entrance and look for alternative parking lots in case the Visitor Center’s is full – which will mostly likely happen during high season and holidays.
My recommendation would be to park at the Verkamp’s Visitor Center or Bright Angel Lodge parking lots (parking lots C and D) – with easy access to the Bright Angel Trail, Rim Trail and Red and Blue bus stops.
3. Head to the Grand Canyon without a Plan for the day
Plan ahead! Don’t count on your cellphone to plan on the go. Cellphone coverage is poor in the Grand Canyon and your internet will probably not work there – this is especially true for the South Rim.
You can always stop by the Visitor Center and count on the wonderful rangers to help you out. But if it’s a busy time, not only you’ll have trouble parking your car near the Visitor Center, but you will probably have to face a huge line to ask for information as well – and you are at one of the most amazing places of the world, so your time here is precious, you don’t want to waste it!
So, dig into this post and check the Grand Canyon National Park page as well. They have great recommended itineraries, according to the time you have available to spend there.
4. Limit your visit to the Rim Trail
This is the easiest and most accessible way to visit the Grand Canyon, so thumbs up for the Rim Trail. It is also an amazing place to take a break in one of the several restaurants, cafes or gift shops along the way.
But the Rim trail is also the most touristic part of the Grand Canyon, and almost “too civilized” for my taste LOL. So, check on it, but don’t limit your visit to the Rim Trail.
To fully experience the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend that you go down the canyon, even if only for a short distance. Hiking down the Grand Canyon is a once in a lifetime experience you can’t miss, and the most authentic way to explore this humongous nature wonder.
In the “Do’s” you will find two recommended trails to go down the Grand Canyon (#4). I did both, for about 1h30 each, and it was enough to give me a whole new perspective. This was the Grand Canyon I had dreamed of.
If for any reason hiking is not an option for you, another way to experience the most authentic side of the Grand Canyon is to explore the stunning view points along Desert View Road (if you have a car) or Hermits Rest Route (if you’re riding the shuttle).
5. Worry too much about food and supplies
The Grand Canyon is way more civilized than I was anticipating. No, you are not going to the middle of nowhere.
The roads are paved and well-maintained, there are TONS of people everywhere and you can find everything from an Urgent Car to a Post Office inside (even a garage for emergency repairs and a kennel!).
There are tons of restaurants and cafes, and even small grocery stores, inside the Grand Canyon. Prices are decent – not much more than you would pay outside the National Park. And there are ATMs there as well, in case you need cash – but credit cards are widely accepted.
Most of the cafes and restaurants are concentrated near the Verkamp’s Visitor Center, right off the Rim Trail. But you also find a Market, Deli & Cafe at the East Entrance viewing area and other options throughout the South Rim. Check the map you’ll receive at the entrance of the Grand Canyon National Park to find the nearest to the places you’re planning to visit.
So, just do your normal prep, as you would do in any trip. No need to go crazy with foods and supplies and prepare as you were going to war LOL.
6. Throw your entrance ticket away at the end of the day
Your entrance fee is valid to access the Grand Canyon for 7 days!
Keep the ticket in your windshield and come and go as many times as you wish in one week. Plan to visit at least one more time if possible.
My visit to the Grand Canyon lasted two days – the original plan was three, but a winter thunderstorm warning changed our plans.
I would say one day is too short, two days enough, three to four days ideal. With an extra day I could have done things in a slower pace and some more hiking – which I love.
But in 2 days I was able to cover most of what I wanted to see there (not everything though).
Summing Up
A trip to the Grand Canyon is a once in a lifetime experience and you’ll have a blast no matter what.
This is one of the most impressive places on Earth, so even if you do everything wrong, you’ll still love it! LOL
Having that said, some tips can save you time and headaches, and make your visit to the Grand Canyon National Park even more enjoyable.
In this post I’ve covered the things I wish I knew before I traveled to the Grand Canyon. That could have saved me time to invest in exploring further and spared me from some hassles.
Here’s a quick summary to use as a checklist on your future visit to the Grand Canyon:
- Use the East Entrance to avoid the crowds (especially during high season and holidays);
- Explore Desert View Drive viewpoints (or alternatively, if you don’t have a car, explore Hermits Rest Route viewpoints using the red shuttle);
- Take a leisure walk on the mostly paved and accessible Rim Trail….
- …but if conditions (physical and climatic) allow, hike down Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail, even if for only a short distance, to experience the Grand Canyon from inside;
- Watch a sunrise and a sunset for stunning views of the Grand Canyon changing colors (recommended spots in the post above);
- Plan extra time (4 to 5 days) to explore the Grand Canyon surroundings – Sedona, Page and Monument Valley are Arizona top destinations within a driving distance from the Grand Canyon (complete itinerary coming soon, sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this post!);
- Avoid the South Entrance at all costs, unless you MUST use it for any reason or if you are not driving your own car (East Entrance requires a car to explore the Grand Canyon);
- If you’re driving to visit the Grand Canyon, skip the parking lot at the South Rim Visitor Center. Head to Parking C and D instead (way less crowded and close to the places that matter the most);
- Plan your day BEFORE going to the Grand Canyon. Cellphone coverage is poor, and the Visitor Center lines to get information can be long;
- Don’t limit your visit to the Grand Canyon Rim Trail. Hiking down the Grand Canyon at least a little bit and stepping ON it takes the experience to whole new level.
- Don’t worry too much about food and supplies. You’ll find all sort of services, restaurants and cafes inside the Grand Canyon. It’s like a small town;
- Your entrance to the Grand Canyon is valid for 7 days! And ideally you should spare at least 2 to 3 days to visit the National Park. Keep your receipt on your windshield and come back the next morning!
I hope these recommendations help you to make the most of your visit to the Grand Canyon and enjoy every second you have there.
This is an outstanding trip to take, have fun!
And if you have other tips to make a visit to the Grand Canyon easier, or wants to share your experience there, leave a comment below. I’ll love to hear from you 🙂
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