Ultimate Guide to Grand Canyon South Rim Tours, Hikes & Scenic Drives
- Eric Beuning
- May 8
- 8 min read
Updated: May 12
The Grand Canyon South Rim is its most accessible and popular gateway to one of the great natural wonders of the world. Whether you're planning a road trip from nearby Flagstaff, Arizona, or exploring on a day trip from Las Vegas there are plenty of ways to experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
I’ve been blessed to have a bunch of different Grand Canyon experiences over the last 35 years. So, I thought I’d take a closer look at how to explore the South Rim as a self-driving tour as well as some popular professional tour options.
Why Choose the Grand Canyon’s South Rim?
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open year-round and offers the most developed visitor services. It also has more scenic viewpoints than anywhere else, and you could spend an entire day casually driving from Mather Point to Hermit’s Rest.
The South Rim also has an extensive trail network around the rim as well as the opportunity to hike down into the canyon. However, this is the sort of thing you want to be well-prepared for or have a guide service set you up with.
South Rim Driving Tour from Flagstaff, Arizona
For this Grand Canyon South Rim driving tour itinerary, we’ll start at Flagstaff Arizona. Whether you’re driving your own car or taking a rental from Las Vegas or elsewhere, Flagstaff is sort of the gateway to everything the South Rim has to offer.
It’s about 80 miles to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim Visitor Center. It’s also the last, best place to stock up your cooler for a picnic at a reasonable price. Everything else at the Grand Canyon is crazy expensive. So, stock up in Flagstaff at Walmart, Safeway, or Fry’s grocery store.
Grand Canyon Entrance Fee
The Park Entrance Fee for the Grand Canyon South Rim is usually $30, but there are some discounts available. If you’re planning to see three or more National Parks of National Monuments in the next 12 months, it makes sense to get the American the Beautiful Annual Pass.
Backcountry Permit
If you’re planning to spend the night in the canyon or hike down to camp below the South Rim, you’ll also need a backcountry permit. The cost is usually $12 or less per person, and you can apply through the National Park System’s Backcountry system.
Grand Canyon South Rim Self-Drive Itinerary
The drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village is about 80 miles on US-180 North. Along the way, consider a brief stop in Valle, AZ to visit the quirky Planes of Fame Air Museum, which features historic aircraft.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Your first major stop should be the Grand Canyon Visitor Center near Mather Point.
Here, you can pick up maps, get hiking information, and enjoy one of the most iconic canyon overlooks.
Mather Point is nearby the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The moment you stand there you’ll realize that this is the iconic Grand Canyon photo you’ve seen a million times. Every tourist takes a selfie or three here, and you should too.
Secret Gem: Yaki Point
Just a little southwest of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is Yaki Point Road. It typically has far fewer tourists clogging up your experience.
As a young man, in the winter of 1995, I may have climbed over the rail to sit at the end of the stone point to be completely alone with the majesty of the canyon.
It’s not safe, and a Park Ranger will definitely scold you if they see you do it. I don’t recommend going over the rail. I’m pretty sure it’s prohibited by the Surgeon General, the ghost of Steve McQueen, and my lawyer would tell you not to do it!
Hiking to Ooh Ahh Point
Just off Yaki Point Road to the North is South Kaibab Road, which will take you to a trailhead parking area. If you’ve got an hour or so to kill, and your legs are still strong, you can hike north into the Grand Canyon. It’s 1.8 miles and I think is the best way to experience the Grand Canyon without going too deep.
I did this solo as a young man and may have scoffed at the people who had actual hiking gear. Now as a grown man, I would recommend at least having a properly stocked hiking backpack and perhaps some trekking poles.
Unless you have proper arrangements, gear and supplies, I wouldn’t recommend going any father into the Grand Canyon than Ooh Ahh Point. You might feel like you can go farther but trust me that hike back up hurts!
Hermit Road Scenic Drive
From the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center, you can drive West to explore the various stops along Hermit Road. Key stops include Hopi Point, Mojave Point, and Hermit's Rest. I left my sunglasses at the Abyss the last time I was there and going back to get them was a nightmare.
NOTE: The time of year is a factor, as it’s now only accessible by shuttle bus from March to November. You can only drive a private vehicle from December to February. Key stops include Hopi Point, Mojave Point, and Hermit's Rest.
Hiking Bright Angle Trail
Bright Angle Trail is another iconic hike on the Grand Canyon South Rim. The nice thing about it is that it has “Rest House” areas with pit toilets roughly every mile and a half. If you’re modestly in shape, you can hike down to the first rest house area and get back to the South Rim in about 90 minutes.
I made this hike as a young man with just a pair of high tops and a water bottle, I shoved in my pocket. If you’re going to go beyond the first rest house, I would strongly recommend trekking poles and a properly stocked backpack.
The next leg of the hike down to the three-mile rest house is much steeper. There are a lot of switchbacks that are wearing on the knees, and no other facilities until you get to the rest house bathrooms.
Another mile and a half down the Bright Angel Trail is the Havasupai Gardens. There’s a ranger station here and a place to refill your water bottle. There’s also a modest campground that you can reserve through the National Park System.
Guided Tours of the Grand Canyon South Rim
There are several tours of the Grand Canyon South Rim area that are available from the Visitor’s Center, Sedona, Flagstaff or even from Las Vegas. These tours provide transportation, knowledgeable guides, and often include extras like meals or park entrance fees.
Duration: ~14 hours
Highlights: Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas to South Rim viewpoints, with lunch included. Also includes entrance fees.
This is arguably the best way to see the see the Grand Canyon’s South Rim if you’re staying in Las Vegas, and don’t want to hike the canyon. The cost is less than renting a car and filling it with gas.
It’s perfect if you want to see the Grand Canyon in a single day without the stress of planning or driving long distances. However, there’s no real option for hiking into the canyon for a first-hand experience.
Duration: Full-day tour
Highlights: Historic train ride, that’s also wheelchair accessible. Grand Canyon Village exploration, live entertainment on board.
This tour starts from the train station in Williams right outside of Flagstaff Arizona. It’s perfect for history buffs and families, this scenic railway trip offers a nostalgic journey combined with canyon exploration.
This is a great way to get to the Grand Canyon with your kids or grandkids. Then you can use the South Rim shuttle service to get you along Hermit Road. The entertainment is a little bit camp for adults traveling alone, but kids 13 and under will definitely get a kick out of it.
👉 Book the Grand Canyon Railway Adventure from Williams
Duration: ~8 hours
Highlights: Expert-led tour of South Rim viewpoints, sunset viewing, round-trip transport from Flagstaff or Sedona.
This is the perfect tour if you’re staying in Flagstaff or Sedona, Arizona and you want to experience the Grand Canyon without all the tiresome driving. They aren’t kidding when they call their guides “Experts” and they use modest coaches with enough legroom, which as a big man, I appreciate. The modest coach size also makes it more intimate, and less likely to be canceled due to not enough people!
The guides also know where the sunset sweet spots are for that time of year. The most epic sunset viewing locations can change throughout the year, but they also put you in just the right spot for a great photo backdrop.
Duration: 2 to 3 Hours
Highlights: Grand Canyon Village on South Rim, Yavapai Point, with expert local guide.
Experience the Grand Canyon in style and comfort on The Grand Entrance Jeep Tour, departing from Tusayan. This guided adventure takes you through the historic South Entrance into Grand Canyon National Park, offering panoramic views from famous overlooks like Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and the Grand Canyon Village.
You ride in a custom open-air Jeep, with an expert guide. You'll learn about the canyon's rich geology, Native American history, and vibrant wildlife from a knowledgeable guide, all while enjoying the breeze and expansive vistas.
This is a great tour if want a deeper understanding of the park without strenuous hiking, this small-group tour ensures plenty of photo stops, fascinating stories, and a memorable introduction to one of the world’s natural wonders.
NOTE: This tour sells out quickly, so be sure to reserve it in advance. It’s easier to plan other trip activities around this tour than it is to fit this vacation at the last second.
Duration: ~25–45 minutes (flight time)
Highlights: Aerial views of the Grand Canyon, Kaibab National Forest, Colorado River.
This Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour is unparalleled in perspective with breathtaking photography opportunities. I was impressed by how it let me see the scale of the Canyon in ways that you simply can’t get from the South Rim.
It let me see the full breadth of the canyon just as much as the West Rim Helicopter tours from Las Vegas.
👉 Book the South Rim Helicopter Flight
Final Thoughts on Touring Grand Canyon South Rim
Whether you carve your own path with a rental car from Flagstaff or Las Vegas or opt for a curated professional tour the Grand Canyon’s South Rim delivers awe-inspiring views, and unforgettable moments.
If you’re not comfortable with all the driving, the Grand Canyon National Park Jeep Tour or the Grand Canyon Sunset Tour from Flagstaff or Sedona let you experience the canyon without having to keep your hands on the wheel. If you’re staying in Vegas, the Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip from Las Vegas is easily half the price of renting a car and paying the park fees.
Renting a car or taking a self-driving tour of the Grand Canyon makes the most sense if you want to hike into the canyon. The Kaibab trail near Yaki Point and Bright Angel Trail to the first rest house are manageable day hikes that a reasonably fit person can handle. They’re a great way to get a firsthand experience with the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
In future articles, we’ll explore the West Rim, North Rim, and other incredible ways to see the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
To learn more about making the most out of Southwest vacations and other outdoor adventures, follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.
Disclaimer: As an affiliate partner with GetYourGuide, I may earn a commission if you choose to book through my link at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend experiences that I truly believe are worth it.
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