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Is it better to walk or drive in the Grand Canyon?

The best quality experience is drive oneself to Grand Canyon South Rim and spend 1-2 days. If you have more time to spend, you can add other destinations such as Lake Powell or Sedona.



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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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There is just one scenic drive open to private cars on the South Rim, Desert View Drive. The 23 mile (37 km) long Desert View Drive features marvelous panoramic views of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

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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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You don't need to take a tour. When you enter the park you get a park newspaper with all the ncessary information. There's also a tourist center, and there are rangers along the rim who'll provide information and answer questions. Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is a “Do it Yourself” place for visitors.

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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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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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If you are mostly concerned about weather, the Grand Canyon's climate has cooler weather and less rainfall between April and June. July and August are the worst months to visit the Grand Canyon due to larger crowds and hotter, wetter weather.

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How Many Days at the Grand Canyon? We recommend between one to three days at the Grand Canyon, though you could stay for longer for a relaxed visit. 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.

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Q: How long will it take to get to the bottom from the South Rim? A: The South Kaibab Trail is 6.8 miles to Bright Angel Campground and the Bright Angel Trail is 9.3 miles. It will take most hikers between 4 and 5 hours to get to the campground on either trail.

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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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Here are some of the best ways to avoid the long wait at the Grand Canyon south entrance station:
  1. Arrive Early. ...
  2. Stay Inside the Park. ...
  3. Take the Grand Canyon Shuttle from Tusayan. ...
  4. Enter the Grand Canyon South Rim from the East. ...
  5. Visit Grand Canyon by Train. ...
  6. See the Grand Canyon from the Air.


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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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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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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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The South Rim is by far the busiest and most popular section. It is the at the center of Grand Canyon National Park. This is where you will find Grand Canyon Village which was designed to provide amenities to the tourists.

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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.

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Scenery: Both sections have dramatic, incredible Grand Canyon scenery. The upper has the younger rock layers that one gets to experience up close and personal. There are also expansive rim views on one day of the upper.

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The South Rim of the Grand Canyon attracts over 5 million visitors each year and by far is the most visited side of the Canyon. That's because it is the most accessible and provides the most amenities.

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View Grand Canyon Safely In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier. Keep an eye on all of the people in your group, especially small children. Make sure that your travel companions have both feet firmly planted on pavement or developed trails at all times. Know where the edge is.

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Many options are available for day hikers. 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.

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