What is the most scenic drive to 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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The top 6 road-trip routes to Grand Canyon National Park
  • Las Vegas to the North Rim via Zion National Park. ...
  • Las Vegas to the South Rim via Kingman, Arizona. ...
  • Flagstaff to the South Rim. ...
  • Phoenix to the South Rim via Wickenburg and Williams. ...
  • Los Angeles to the South Rim. ...
  • Salt Lake City to the North Rim via Moab.


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The two major cities closest to the Canyon are Phoenix and Las Vegas. Flagstaff, AZ is only 1.5 hours from the South Rim and although it is a smaller city, it does have an international airport. Tusayan is the closest town to Grand Canyon Village and also has a small public airport.

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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. At 7,000' above sea level, the South Rim has four distinct seasons.

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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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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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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 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 two major cities closest to the Canyon are Phoenix and Las Vegas. Flagstaff, AZ is only 1.5 hours from the South Rim and although it is a smaller city, it does have an international airport. Tusayan is the closest town to Grand Canyon Village and also has a small public airport.

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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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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 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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Grand Canyon day trip – which Rim to visit It's about 277 miles (446 km) long and up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. Needless to say, you won't be able to experience all of it in a day, not even in a week or two… But you can certainly see some amazing places, even if you are just visiting Grand Canyon as a day trip.

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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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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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In the summer, wear shorts, a t-shirt, and running shoes with a light jacket or sweater. In the winter, opt for jeans, good shoes (or even boots – it does snow at the Grand Canyon!), and a long-sleeved shirt with a jacket or sweater.

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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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I happily respond that the road is completely paved! But it hasn't always been that way. The bumpy road had been a source of complaints and difficulties for many years – since before the Skywalk opened in March 2007.

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In order to safely rebuild and maintain the North Kaibab Trail and repair damaged sections of pipeline, there will be a continuous trail closure in effect from April 12-June 2, 2023. The closure area will be from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead.

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