Loading Page...

Can you tour the Grand Canyon in one day?

If you only have one day in the Grand Canyon, we recommend visiting the South Rim. With its breathtaking views, an assortment of hiking trails, lots of cool activities to keep kids happy, and a large number of hotels and restaurants to choose from, it's hard to beat the South Rim.



People Also Ask

Safety: Taking a guided tour can be safer than driving yourself, especially if you're not familiar with the terrain or weather conditions. However, there are also some downsides to taking a tour: Cost: Tours can be expensive, especially if you're traveling with a large group or booking a luxury tour.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Tours and Activities: National Park (North and South rims) entrance fees - $30 per vehicle. West Rim entrance package - $46.65 per person. Helicopter tours - South Rim - $199 per person. Helicopter tours - West Rim - $299 per person.

MORE DETAILS

Grand Canyon South Rim is most frequently chosen by first-time visitors to the area not only for its beautiful views, but for its abundance of visitor services and family-oriented activities. The South Rim is open year-round.

MORE DETAILS

It really depends on what you want to see and do! Some visitors stop by a couple of viewpoints and arrive and leave within a day but there are so many more fantastic things to do at the Grand Canyon. We recommend spending at least one full day at the Grand Canyon South Rim and ideally two if time permits.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

If you don't have a lot of time, and just want to see the canyon, take the short 5 minute walk (0.3 miles/ 0.48 km), from the Visitor Center Plaza to nearby Mather Point. Because it is close to the Visitor Center and parking lots, Mather Point is a busy scenic overlook.

MORE DETAILS

Both the South Rim and the North Rim offer rim trail hikes that have spectacular views of the inner canyon, some on paved trails. Or you can choose to day hike into the canyon. Permits are not required for non-commercial day hikes.

MORE DETAILS

Falling Deaths at the Grand Canyon: 198 60 people have fallen off the ledge. 63 people have fallen from inside the canyon. 75 people in this category purposefully jumped or fell to commit suicide.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Best Times to Visit the Grand Canyon for Smaller Crowds If you can visit during the low season, from November to March, you won't encounter crowds, but you'll need to plan ahead since parts of the park may be closed.

MORE DETAILS

No entrance pass is required on these days: Saturday, April 22 — First Day of National Park Week. Friday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act. Saturday, September 23 — National Public Lands Day. Saturday, November 11 — Veterans Day.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

A Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas can be quick and easy or you can book a full day exciting adventure. In just a few short hours, travelers can explore the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, Colorado River, Lake Mead, and more famous landscapes.

MORE DETAILS

July and August are the worst months to visit the Grand Canyon due to larger crowds and hotter, wetter weather. You can get cheaper deals on lodging and activities between November and February.

MORE DETAILS

Not surprisingly, the weekends are the busiest times at the Grand Canyon, so it's best to go during the week. Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the least crowded days of the week.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS