The Grand Canyon is the second most visited National Park in the United States after the Great Smoky Mountains. In 2018 more than 6 million people visited the park, who doesn’t want to see one of the seventh natural wonders?
If you are planning on checking it off of your list and you are wondering how you can make the best out of your one day visit to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon then this guide is for you.
Let’s get right to it…
Entering the Grand Canyon National Park
There are two main entrance to the South Rim of the National Park. The first entrance is the “South Entrance Station” near a town called Tusayan. The other entrance is “Desert View entrance station” close to Cameron, Arizona.
For this particular itinerary, we are entering the National Park from the South Entrance Station.
All visitors should have a pass to access the park, it can be purchased either online or from one of the two entrance stations.
The general admission pass is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person for seven days (Including both the North Rim and South Rim)
This pass will allow everyone in your vehicle to enter the park.
Where to park my vehicle?
From the South Entrance Station you can park in the gateway community of Tusayan. Some seasons are busier than others, so parking lots might fill quickly. There is public parking all around the park.
This South Rim Pocket map shows all public parking available. You can get a paper version of this map once you enter the park. But I promise it will be very helpful to take a look at it before your visit.
I suggest parking your vehicle at the Market Plaza or Maswik Lodge. They both have a shuttle station to help you get around the park.
Sections of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
There are three section of the South Rim:
Hermits Rest to Village
This section of the Rim is 7 miles long. It starts at the Hermits Rest and stretches to the Village. This section of the Rim will not be part of this suggested itinerary.
Village to Visitor Center
This section of the park is where the famous Rim trail. This walk is a MUST!!
The distance from the Village to the visitor center is about 2.1 miles.
Visitor Center to Desert View
This section is 22 miles long and takes you to the famous Desert View Watchtower.
Let’s talk about the shuttle
The park offers free shuttle buses around the park. The buses run daily every 15-20 minutes. There are different routes with a possibility to make transfers. Typically the shuttles are available from Hermits Rest in the west all the way to Yaki Point in the east. Beyond Yaki Point, there are no buses available.
Shuttles will be your best option to avoid traffic, the struggle to find a parking spot and the hustle bustle of this very touristy park.
One day itinerary- Option 1
- Enter the park from the South Entrance Station and start your journey from Hermits Rest
- Take your first shuttle from Hermit trailhead and stop by Mohave point
- From Mohave point walk to Powell Point and the to Maricopa point
- Take the shuttle from Maricopa point to Trailview Overlook
- Transfer to the blue line and get off at Shrine of the ages and then find your way to the Rim trail and continue to Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
- walk or take the shuttle to Mather point and grab lunch at the Visitor Center market area
- Continue your trip (Walking or taking the shuttle) to Yaki point.
- Start tracing your way back to where you started.
One day itinerary- Option 2
The Rim trail
- Get to the Market Plaza from the Market Plaza Road, park your car and find your way to the Shrine of the Ages (Yes there is a church at the park)
- From the church there is a back trail that will take you to the Rim trail
- From this point start your walk on the Rim Trail towards the Trail of Time. The trail of Time is a geology exhibit between Verkamp’s Visitor Center and Yavapai Point. It walks you through the history behind the rocck formations from millions of years ago.
Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
- Walk to Yavapai Point and Geology Museum
Mather Point
- Walk to Mather Point. This is one of the view points you don’t want to miss!!
- At the visitor center you can grab your lunch
- After lunch, continue your walk towards Yaki point. At this point you would want to take the shuttles back to your car. There is no one way shuttle so you will have to take the shuttle from Yaki Point to the Visitor Center and then transfer to the shuttle that will take you back to Market Plaza.
Desert View Watchtower
- If you have time, you can drive all the way to Desert View Watchtower grab a snack and exit the par from the Desert view entrance station
With this itinerary, you will be able to make the most out of your one day visit at the Grand Canyon.
How to stay safe and healthy
The south rim of the Grand Canyon is at an elevation of 7000 feet and this might be higher than what you are used to. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated, wear sunscreen a hot and comfortable shoes.
Follow the park’s instructions to keep yourself and the environment around you in a good shape. If anything bad should happen there is a clinic at the park by Market Plaza.
What’s the best point to watch the sunset?
Yavapai point and Hopi point are believed to be the best points to watch the sunset in the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Hopi point is located at the west side of the Rim in the left side of this map. The bus that takes to Hermits Rest route is the Red line.
Yavapai point is located near the Geology Museum and is accessible by shuttle as well.
What if I lost something at the Grand Canyon?
There is a lost and found service at the grand canyon, I got to experience this through someone I visited the Grand Canyon. If your lost item is found, they will email you a photo to confirm and mail it to you.
If you find this itinerary helpful please let me know in a comment below and as always let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you!