Is it worth driving to Grand Canyon South Rim from Vegas?

Distance from Las Vegas to the South Rim Visiting the South Rim is definitely worth it! Consider making an overnight stop on this trip (the best choice is at Williams, AZ), especially if you want to stop and see other attractions on the way to the canyon.



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Las Vegas to West Rim Some Las Vegas visitors prefer to visit the West Rim of the canyon for a couple of different reasons. One reason is its closer location to Las Vegas. The drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim is only two and a half hours, compared to the drive to the South Rim that is nearly twice as long.

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If you're starting from Las Vegas, it probably makes the most sense to see the West Rim. Just a 3.5 hour drive (122 miles) from the glittering desert oasis lies Grand Canyon West, home of the Skywalk and dozens and dozens of tour options.

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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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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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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.

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By far the best location to stay at the Grand Canyon National Park is the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. Staying here gives you easy access to the most beautiful viewpoints (also at sunrise and at sunset) and to some of the best hikes.

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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 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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Distance from Las Vegas to the West Rim The West Rim (also known as the Grand Canyon West) is roughly 130 miles (210 km) from Las Vegas. The drive takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. This route isn't difficult, as long as you're prepared — there aren't many services along the road.

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Many consider the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to be the authentic Grand Canyon experience. It features vast, expansive views often seen in popular media. From the South Rim, you can experience close to two-dozen unique views of the Grand Canyon, many with sweeping views of the Colorado River.

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If you're planning to stay in Las Vegas, taking a day trip to the canyon is well worth it and can get you out of the city to indulge in a truly unique outdoor experience.

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For a Day and Go to Grand Canyon West. Did you know the Grand Canyon West Rim is about two hours from Las Vegas, Nevada? You can leave the city that never sleeps, travel to a world wonder and be back in time for dinner.

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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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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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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. There is parking at every viewpoint.

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These include Tusayan (the closest town only 7 miles from the South Rim), Williams (starting point for the Grand Canyon Railroad), Kingman (in the heart of historic Route 66), Flagstaff (historic downtown, observatory, and Amtrack station), and Page (near Lake Powell).

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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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The Grand Canyon Skywalk is NOT located near the South or North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Rather it is located at Grand Canyon West, on reservation land owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. The Skywalk is about 120 miles east of Las Vegas, NV, and 70 miles north of Kingman, AZ.

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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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