Home / Travel Guides - Grand Canyon National Park South Rim

ventdusud/iStockphoto.com

More About
Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, AZ

About Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim One superb canyon vista after another is what you'll see along the South Rim's paved roads. The 25-mile Desert View Drive (open year-round to private vehicles) connects the East Entrance Station with Grand Canyon Village, winding through a ponderosa pine forest and passing a half-dozen viewpoints (Grandview is a standout) along the way.

West of the village, Hermit Road leads to more overlooks (including the phenomenal Hopi Point) on its way to Hermit's Rest, where you'll find restrooms, a snack bar and a gift shop. The road is closed to private vehicles March through November but can be accessed by the park's free shuttle bus during these months.

Spondylolithesis/iStockphoto.com
In peak summer travel season, brace yourself for crowds. In most areas of Grand Canyon Village, parking is scarce. Free shuttles run year round at the village, and it's often wise to park at the visitor center and use the shuttle to get around. To avoid parking headaches all together, consider riding the free shuttle from Tusayan (the park's gateway town); service is available June through September.

If you're driving into the park through the South Entrance Station (near Tusayan), take note: There are five entry gates with one gate dedicated to prepaid passes. This is a very popular point of entry and crowds can be large, so paying admission outside the park at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan is a smart move when traffic is heavy. Passes also can be purchased at most Tusayan hotels and at visitor centers in Williams and Flagstaff. Of course, the most obvious way to avoid possible delays is to get an early start.

National Park Service/National Park Service
Both helicopter and airplane tours of the canyon are available from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, 5 miles south of the park headquarters. For information and reservations contact Grand Canyon Airlines, (866) 235-9422; Grand Canyon Helicopters, (928) 638-2764; Maverick Helicopters, (928) 638-2622 or (800) 962-3869; or Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters , (928) 638-2419 or (800) 528-2418.

Things to Do Bright Angel Trail

Desert View Watchtower

Grand Canyon Caverns see Peach Springs

Grand Canyon Railway see Williams

Grand Canyon Skywalk see Kingman

Grand Canyon Visitor Center

Havasu Canyon see Supai

Kolb Studio

Lipan Point

Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan

IMAX Theater

Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon

Phantom Ranch

Rim Trail

South Kaibab Trail

South Rim Mule Trips

Tusayan Ruin and Museum

Yavapai Geology Museum

Recreational Activities

Bicycling Bright Angel Bicycles

Horseback Riding Apache Stables

White-water Rafting Rivers & Oceans

Read More

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, AZ

Top AAA Diamond Hotels

AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.

Save 5% or more when booking AAA/CAA rates plus earn bonus points with the AAA Preferred™ BWR Program

Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn

74 SR 64. Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim, AZ 86023

Book Now
The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

149 State Hwy 64. Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim, AZ 86023

Book Now
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites-Grand Canyon

226 SR 64. Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim, AZ 86023

Book Now
El Tovar Hotel

South Rim. Grand Canyon National Park - South Rim, AZ 86023

call or visit a AAA Travel Agent Today!

Find a AAA Office

As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.

Not a Member?

Join Now