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What is the best scenic drive South Rim Grand Canyon?

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. Be sure to bring enough food and water for everyone in your group.



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Navajo Point At 7,461 feet–or 2,275 meters–Navajo Point is the highest viewpoint along the Grand Canyon's South Rim. It's a dizzying height for sure, but the views at Navajo Point can't be beat. Look to the west, and you'll be dazzled by panoramic views of the canyon in its entirety.

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The Desert View Drive portion of SR 64 is a scenic road that begins near Grand Canyon Village. Private vehicles can drive east along the canyon rim for 23 miles (37 km) to the Desert View Services Area, and the East Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park.

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A lot of people skip this drive to the east (ending at the Desert View Watchtower) and it's a shame. It's a hidden gem with lookout/vistas that compete, if not outdo, some of the more popular stops in the main tourist area. That, coupled with fewer people, makes the 1-2 hr back and forth trip worth it.

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South Kaibab Trail The South Kaibab trailhead is one of the best trails due to its proximity and access to many popular features. The South Kaibab trailhead is located at Yaki Point, just east of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

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With less elevation gain and a slightly longer trail, the hike up Bright Angel is easier than South Kaibab. There is no potable water on the South Kaibab Trail. If you are doing this during the warmer months, you will need to carry every drop of water with you if you plan to hike up the South Kaibab Trail.

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Considered the premiere hike in the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden is one of the most popular in the park. This 8.8 mile, 2,080 feet elevation gain out-and-back takes you past 2 billion years of geology and rock towers made of layers of red, rust, rose, and white.

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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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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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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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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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1 Day in Grand Canyon Itinerary
  1. Visit the historic Kolb Studio and Hopi House.
  2. Explore the 13-mile Rim Trail.
  3. Mather Point.
  4. Experience the inner canyon from the Bright Angel Trail.
  5. Climb the historic Desert View Watchtower.
  6. Explore the South Rim through the free shuttle system.
  7. Photograph sunrise at Moran Point.


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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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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 is the most popular and heavily visited area, with millions of visitors each year. However, the North Rim is much less crowded and can provide a more peaceful and relaxing experience. The West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West, falls between the North and South Rims in terms of popularity.

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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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Hopi Point Located along scenic Hermit Road, Hopi Point is one of the most popular viewpoints for visitors to the Grand Canyon—and rightfully so! Hopi Point is the highest northern outlook over the South Rim, meaning it has the best views in the area.

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Grand Canyon trails for the less touristy hiker
  • GRAND CANYON, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Grand Canyon National Park is a hiker's dream. ...
  • Hermit Trail – Moderately strenuous.
  • · Waldron Basin – 1.5 miles; 1,240 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.
  • · Santa Maria Spring – 2.5 miles; 1,680 ft change in elevation from Hermit's Rest.


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The 10 most impressive canyons in the world
  • Canyon of Kali Gandaki, Nepal. ...
  • Colca Canyon, Peru. ...
  • Waimea Canyon, Hawai. ...
  • Gorges of the Verdon, France. ...
  • The Grand Canyon of the Colorado, USA. ...
  • Indus river gorge, India. ...
  • Itaimbezinho Canyon, Brazil. ...
  • Fish River Canyon, Namibia.


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