Can you self drive through the Grand Canyon?

There are no rules against visiting the Grand Canyon without a tour service. There also aren't any significant barriers to doing so. So, yes, you absolutely can tour the Grand Canyon independently! To learn specifically how to do this by driving, check out our post on how to tour the Grand Canyon by car.



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Though you can't actually drive through the Grand Canyon as each part of the structure has to be conserved, you can drive to and around the region, as well as to the entrances to the North and South Rims.

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The average distance across the canyon is only 10 miles, however, the drive between the park's South Rim Village and the North Rim Village is about 212 miles and takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive. It takes time, planning, and effort to visit both rims in one trip.

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With just one day at the Grand Canyon South Rim, you can see several viewpoints and even hike into the canyon. Unless you want a super relaxed Grand Canyon vacation on the rim or an adventurous rafting trip down below, one to three days at the Grand Canyon is usually enough time for the highlights.

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The best way to tour the village is to park your vehicle once, then ride the Village (Blue) Route Shuttle around the South Rim. It connects the Visitor Center, lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (Market, deli, outdoor ATM, and U.S. Post Office).

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The top 6 road-trip routes to Grand Canyon National Park
  • Las Vegas to the North Rim via Zion National Park. ...
  • Las Vegas to the South Rim via Kingman, Arizona. ...
  • Flagstaff to the South Rim. ...
  • Phoenix to the South Rim via Wickenburg and Williams. ...
  • Los Angeles to the South Rim. ...
  • Salt Lake City to the North Rim via Moab.


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Because it's home to many of the most memorable viewpoints, the South Rim is the ideal destination for first-time Grand Canyon Visitors. If you have small children, you may prefer to visit the South Rim for its many amenities and activities.

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$20.00–$35.00. Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is for 7 days and includes both the South Rim, and during their season, the North Rim. No cash is accepted at the park's 3 entrance stations; credit/debit card only.

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Every visitor to Grand Canyon West is required to purchase a General Admission ticket. Optional activities, such as Skywalk, helicopter, boat tours and zipline tours can be purchased at an additional cost. Explore ticket options, including bundled savings opportunities.

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The town of Tusayan, which is just 15-20 minutes away from the main Visitor Center on the south rim, has a great selection of places to stay. Grand Canyon Junction (formerly known as Valle) is further out (about 30 minutes to the rim), but is another good option. If you want a hotel, stay in Tusayan, which has plenty.

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For the most part, driving in Grand Canyon National Park is relatively easy—so easy that it can lead to a false sense of security. The park's semiarid climate and high elevations mean that both desert and mountain driving conditions apply.

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When planning a visit to the Grand Canyon South Rim, you should know that the waiting times at the Grand Canyon South Entrance Station can ruin your entire experience. On busy days, it's not uncommon to wait in line for over 2 hours – just to be able to enter the National Park!

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The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin.

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With only one day at the Grand Canyon, you can check out a few viewpoints, hike into the canyon or on the Rim Trail, and catch the sunset. A Grand Canyon itinerary for 2 days allows extra time for a longer hike or bike ride and more lookout points.

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There is a good reason people flock to the South Rim; it's the more popular part of Grand Canyon National Park; it's stunningly beautiful; it's more developed by way of visitors centers and services; there's more lodging nearby; you can hike, backpack and camp; it's easier to access and is more centrally located for ...

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Top 10 Best Things to Do at Grand Canyon National Park
  • Hike the South Kaibab Trail. Location: South Rim. ...
  • Cruise the Scenic Desert View Drive. Location: South Rim & West Rim. ...
  • Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Location: North Rim. ...
  • Catch a Sunrise at Point Imperial. Location: North Rim. ...
  • Catch a Sunset at Cape Royal.


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How many days should you spend in the Grand Canyon? If you're visiting the South Rim, you'll want 2-3 days. For the North Rim, plan on visiting for 1-2 days. If you want to see both rims, give yourself 4-5 days!

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For people looking to book a Grand Canyon tour, it's best if you do it in advance. This will give you the chance to be more selective, searching for the best tour for your tastes. The popular tours won't be sold out yet and you'll have a wide range of dates to choose from. Plus, you're more likely to get discounts!

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Which Rim of Grand Canyon is best – South Rim. Considered by many to be the “true Grand Canyon,” Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim features the vast, expansive views most often seen in magazines, websites, Facebook and on TV.

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