After Las Vegas, we drove up to Arizona to get a glimpse over the Grand Canyon. We only stayed 24hours so what to see in Grand Canyon in one day?
Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
It is a 6 hours drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It is quite far away and to my opinion the road is not very exciting. The only thing worth it on the road is the Hoover Dam. But once you arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim you won’t regret it!
My first wish was to go on the Grand Canyon Platform that is situated in the Grand Canyon West Rim. But the price and the bad reviews on Tripadvisor made me change my mind.
Many people told us to drive until the Grand Canyon South rim because it was more worth it and way cheaper : 30Euros, which is the price to enter any national park in the USA. This part of the Grand Canyon is also the most popular and open all year long.
What to see in Grand Canyon in one day – South Rim
In order to have an idea of the Grand Canyon South Rim you should first have a look at a map!
Depending from where you arrive you first stop will be different.
Enter from Desert View – scenic drive over the Grand Canyon
If you arrive from the East entrance your first views over the Grand Canyon will be Desert view. From there you will drive on Desert view drive west toward the visitor center. This route has 6 viewpoints over the Canyon and unless the other roads overlooking the Canyon, are open to private vehicles. This entrance is a less touristic one!
Mather Point
If you arrive from the South road like most, you will arrive at the visitor center and the Mather Point which will be your first glimpse into the Grand Canyon. At the visitor center you will find general informations about the park.
From there you can take a shuttle or start a walking trail, bike journey etc toward the different viewpoints.
Lipan Point – The most popular viewpoint at Grand Canyon South Rim
Lipan point offers the widest view over the grand canyon. this is what you mostly see on postcards!
Hopi point – View the Colorado river from Grand Canyon South Rim
One of my favorite viewpoint was Hopi Point from where you can see the Colorado River!
Mojave Point or sunset at Grand Canyon South Rim
The best spots in Grand Canyon is probably Mojave point. From there you will see the best colors over the Canyon. The best is to arrive one hour before sunset time because it will be crowded or find yourself a spot on the trail between Hopi point and Mojave point.
What to do at Grand Canyon South Rim
There are plenty of things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim, hiking,rent a bicycle, go down the Grand Canyon on a mule or visiting museums.
Too many things to do if you stay only one day at the Grand Canyon you will need to choose!
Hike the Grand Canyon South Rim
There are many hiking trails available at the Grand Canyon. The most popular hike at the Grand Canyon South Rim is probably “the trail of time” with exhibits where you can learn about the canyon’s geologic history.
It is also possible to take the Rim trail. It’s total length is 21km. You can hike from one viewpoint to the next. If you don’t feel like hiking the full trail you can hop of the Grand Canyon shuttle bus to go to the next viewpoint or back to the Village.
Bike at Grand Canyon South Rim
You can rent a bike at the visitor centre or bring your own. There are trails around the park. Only on Hermit road you will have other vehicles next to you.
Ride a mule at Grand Canyon
If you wish to go down the canyon, your best bet is to take a mule. This is a one in a lifetime experience. And as such, it is best to book the experience in advance! Reservations are open up to 15 months in advance!! Overnight mule trip experience are only possible via an online lottery! More informations on the Grand Canyon website.
Take part to a ranger program at Grand Canyon South Rim
The ranger program at Grand Canyon South Rim as the aim to give you more in depth informations about life in the park. Talk about geology, wild life, night hikes, star gazing and presentations about nature and conservation are available daily!
Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum
If you want to learn even more about the Grand Canyon, the museum “explain the deposition of rock layers, the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, and the carving of Grand Canyon”.
I am so happy to have seen the Grand Canyon, this was another dream that came true during this road trip. I wish to go back one day, this time to visit the Grand Canyon on a rafting boat!
Bisou
Amandine
