Of the Grand Canyon’s two rims, the South Rim is the most visited. Towering about 7,000 feet (2,134 meters) above sea level, it’s near top sights such as Navajo Point, Hermit Road, and the Abyss. Grand Canyon Village is home to historic buildings such as the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, Bright Angel Lodge, Kolb Studio, and the Desert View Watchtower, featuring artwork by Hopi artists and Native American art and design.
Many Grand Canyon South Rim tours travel by bus, helicopter, and air from Las Vegas. Some guided tours leave from Sedona and Phoenix, and others still also visit the West Rim, the North Rim, or the Hoover Dam. Air tours and helicopter tours are undoubtedly the fastest and most dramatic way to visit the canyon from Vegas.
The Canyon View Visitor Center stocks maps, books, and videos. The Cameron Trading Post outside the east entrance to the park sells souvenirs and supplies.
Stop by the Hopi House Gift Store and Art Gallery to see art and crafts from the local American Indian tribes.
If driving, make sure you have enough gas before setting out for the canyon. There are few service stations in this remote part of Arizona.
You can purchase Grand Canyon South Rim ticket passes from the park’s south entrance gate in Tusayan, Arizona.
Don’t miss the Mather Point viewpoint, a short walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
Annual passes grant unlimited entry to the national park for one year from the month of purchase.
The South Rim is in the southern portions of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It’s a three-hour drive from Las Vegas or a short plane ride via Grand Canyon Airport. Driving from Flagstaff, take US 180 directly to the South Rim or US 89 to Arizona 64 and the east entrance to the park. In summer, Jeep and bus tours are the best way to avoid struggling with parking.
Visitors crowd the South Rim in summer. Visit in the shoulder seasons during spring and fall for mild temps and smaller crowds. Enter the park on weekdays or before 10am or 2pm to minimize the chances of waiting in long lines.
The Grand Canyon South Rim is home to the Bright Angel Trail, Rim Trail, and South Kaibab Trail. Each of these offer some of the most dazzling views of the canyon. Keep your eyes open for regal California condors, which have recently returned to the area.
