Things to do in Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park: The Best Outdoor Activities

November 2, 2021 Joeann Galban

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Restaurants in Grand Canyon National Park

1. South Kaibab Trail

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/SouthKaibabTrail.pdf
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,687 reviews

South Kaibab Trail

One of the two superhighways into the Canyon, the other being the Bright Angel Trail, this path runs along a ridge offering stunning views. During the summer, visitors are advised to bring at least two quarts of water along because it can get very hot and the trail offers no shade.

Reviewed By Traveling007Texan

My son and I hiked down the South Kaibab Trail and spent the evening at Phantom Ranch before hiking up the Bright Angel Trail the next morning. Hiking the the S. Kaibab was relatively easy as it is downhill the entire way. THERE IS NO WATER so you must carry enough with you. We took 3 liters each and that was plenty. We made it in 4.5 hours taking our time at a steady pace without breaks. It is a beautiful trail with breathtaking views around every turn. I would recommend hiking down the South Kaibab and back up the Bright Angel, as it has water along the middle and upper trail. It's very hot in July but downhill all the way!

2. Lava Falls

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ http://Tourwest.com
Excellent
92%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Lava Falls

Located on the Colorado River, Lava Falls has very challenging rapids.

3. Rainbow Rim Trail

North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, this moderate-to-difficult hiking and biking trail is 18 miles in length, with no grade over 10 percent, and connects five scenic overlooks: Parissawampitts, Fence, Locust, North Timp and Timp.

4. Bright Angel Trail

Begins near the main Visitor Center complex, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023 +1 928-638-7888 http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,318 reviews

Bright Angel Trail

One of the two superhighways of the Grand Canyon, this well maintained and popular trail offers breathtaking vistas, some shaded areas.

Reviewed By 60Kelly - Sydney, Australia

We started the walk down at 5am knowing we'd be returning in the heat of the day. After 2.5hours we reached Indian Gardens, a luscious oasis on the canyon floor. We replenished our water bottles, ate snack and at 9am started off to the rest house about 4 miles back up the trail. The sun rose high in the sky,l shade became less and our pace slowed on the very steep climb up. we found any shade we could to take refuge and rehydrate although this slowed our return.. At the 3 mile rest house we found a little shade, slight breeze, and fresh water for our bottles, had another snack and wet our bandanas and hats and set off for the next resthouse 1.5 miles further up the trail. We found ourselves, along with many others, stopping every few hundred feet under any amount of shade. We drank more water and pushed on to the final resthouse 1.5miles from the rim to drink more water and cool down. By the time we reached the rim 10 hours after starting out we could barely put one foot after the other. So to anyone wanting to go down to the canyon floor I'd say do it, start as early in the day as possible if you go in summer, prepare well, take notice of all the warning signs about the hike, take plenty of water and snacks then enjoy the vistas on the way down, the welcoming Indian Gardens at the bottom and appreciate the friendships you will make on the way back up as you encourage each other to get back to the rim safely. It is definitely worth every step.

5. Thunder River Trail

Indian Hollow, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Thunder River Trail

6. Point Imperial Drive

AZ State Route 67, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86022 +1 928-638-7888 http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 106 reviews

Point Imperial Drive

An 11-mile scenic drive on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Reviewed By HeidiGrebeinTC - Traverse City, United States

Our family of 3 (mom, dad, and tween son) took this easy drive to the end and back and highly recommend. We stopped at all the vistas and overlooks and took pix galore! The views at each place were amazing. Others have already commented on the fact that Point Imperial Vista is the highest in the park (8800 feet) and well worth the drive, but seemed to not enjoy the actual drive – we did! The air is just better here! The skies were so blue and many plants had blossoms like the cacti. Each vista and overlook was unique and we’re glad we checked each one out. Nough said!

7. Bright Angel Point

North Rim Dr. AZ State Route 67, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86022 +1 928-638-7888 http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 642 reviews

Bright Angel Point

One of the highlights of the less crowded North Rim, this spot offers a breathtaking view of Bright Angel Canyon.

Reviewed By jimmD7990PN - Sedro Woolley, United States

We only spent an afternoon seeing the Grand Canyon, and this is one of startlingly gorgeous views we found. There are many more spots like this, all of them unique and mesmerizing.

8. East Rim Drive

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ http://nps.gov/grca
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 314 reviews

East Rim Drive

Scenic drive on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Reviewed By 451PaulL - Winnipeg, Canada

This drive ( also known as Desert View Drive ) to the East Entrance of the park has many pull-outs and side roads to more outstanding views of the canyon, ending with the wonderful Desert View Watchtower, before you exit the park.

9. Cape Royal Drive

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ +1 928-638-7609 http://NPS.gov
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 208 reviews

Cape Royal Drive

Many of the Grand Canyon's most spectacular panoramas can be viewed along this scenic drive, including Point Imperial and Cape Royal itself (elevation 7,865 feet,) the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim.

Reviewed By LSUTraveller - Denham Springs, United States

A beautiful drive with lots of spots to stop and take photos, have a picnic or take a hike. Suggest you drive all the way to the end, take the trail out to Angel's Window and make your way back - you'll fight less traffic and compete for parking less that way. A lot of the drive is forested and the view can be visually impeded - but there's so much to see at the stops.

10. Rim Trail

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ +1 928-638-7888 http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/RimTrail.pdf
Excellent
86%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,503 reviews

Rim Trail

Scenic and level walking trail, which is easy enough to bring the kids.

Reviewed By royv647 - Traralgon, Australia

This is truly a great walk to do , there are so many beautifull viewspots for taking photos, We spent a couple of nights in the Village and walked the trail a lot , it is easy going , a lot of it is paved .. We walked some and also used the shuttle buses that are going along the route all the time. There is a lot of information to read along the way, helps you understand the history of the place and learn about the people who made it all happen Their are toilet facilities at some of the main view spots which are very handy. This is a must thing to do , you will take home visions of a lifetime , do it

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