Is 2 days in Grand Canyon enough?

The South Rim is just too big to see it all if you don't have enough time, so taking two days is a great way explore all that the canyon offers, from Desert View to Hermits Rest. This self-guided itinerary will let you drive, hike, and use the park's free shuttle buses to see all of the best overlooks.



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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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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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If you're only visiting the South Rim, three days at Grand Canyon National Park is plenty of time, though you can see several viewpoints and hike into the canyon with even just one or two.

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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.

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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.

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There's also so much to do and see at the Grand Canyon that doesn't require expensive admission fees. If you decide to venture out of Sin City and see the Grand Canyon for the day, you'll be getting an exciting adventure with stunning views and breathtaking scenery for less than you'd be spending in Las Vegas.

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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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Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon and Zion in One Trip Plan Sufficient Time: Ideally, plan at least two days for the Grand Canyon and another two days for Zion National Park. This will give you ample time to explore the main attractions, go hiking, and immerse yourself in the beauty of these natural wonders.

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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. If you decide to visit during the summer (the park's peak season), be prepared for hordes of tourists and very limited lodging availability.

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The South Entrance to the park can get this busy during spring break, summer and weekends during the fall. If you arrive between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, be prepared for a wait between 45 minutes to 2 hours. Try to arrive before 9:30 am or after 4 pm.

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Hands down, the South Rim is THE place to visit at the Grand Canyon. It's often described as the real Grand Canyon and it's the part of the National Park that you've undoubtedly seen in movies, photographs and magazines.

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Prefer coming mid-week or at the beginning of the week: not surprisingly, weekends are the busiest at the Grand Canyon. Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the least busy days, followed by Wednesdays.

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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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It is possible to drive around the Grand Canyon. On the South Rim you can follow the cliffs edge along the Desert View Drive. The rest of the trip you are further removed from the Canyon where it is not visible from the car. A roundtrip takes roughly 2 weeks and covers 1000 miles.

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The Grand Canyon's Best Scenic Viewpoints
  1. Mather Point, South Rim. ...
  2. Redwall Bridge, North Rim. ...
  3. Hopi Point, South Rim Trail. ...
  4. Plateau Point, Bright Angel Trail. ...
  5. Shoshone Point, South Rim. ...
  6. Desert View. ...
  7. Angel's Window, North Rim. ...
  8. Black Bridge or Silver Bridge view from the River.


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Not only does the South Rim have the best views, but it also has the best hikes. You can take anything from a 30-minute paved trail along the Rim to a 14-hour trek to the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon. It is safe to say that if you want to hike at the Grand Canyon, the South Rim is the best side for you.

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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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Here are some of the park's top hazards of which you should be aware.
  • Viewpoints. Because the rim of the Grand Canyon sits about a mile above the Colorado River, there are many places to see incredible views. ...
  • Flash Floods. ...
  • Heat. ...
  • Dehydration. ...
  • Heat Exhaustion. ...
  • Heat Stroke.


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Even a Grand Canyon South Rim day trip is better than nothing at all, and 24 hours at the Grand Canyon is enough time for a hike, photos at the scenic lookouts, a walk along the rim, and a memorable sunrise or sunset.

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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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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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