5 Tips for Making the Most of the Grand Canyon

Last year over six million people visited Grand Canyon National Park, and it’s easy to see why. The canyon itself stretches for 277 miles, spans 18 miles across at its widest point, and reaches a depth of over a mile. Looking at the walls of the canyon, the earth’s geological history come into focus. Sunrises and sunsets over the canyon paint that history in beautiful contrast to beautiful skyscapes, and you’ll find no shortage of amazing views.

The majesty of the Grand Canyon is endless, making it easy to see why so many people make their way here every year. With that many visitors, it’s easy to get caught up in the crowd and miss out on some of what the park has to offer. If you’re planning a trip, check out these five tips for making the most of the Grand Canyon to ensure that you have the experience of a lifetime.

**Some images listed here are attributed solely to the National Park System and we fully credit those sources.**

1. Avoid Crowds When Possible

The truth is, when six million visitors head to a park you’re bound to run into some people. That doesn’t have to ruin your good time. If you don’t want to waste time waiting in line to snap a picture of overlooks in the Grand Canyon, you can try to visit the park during slower seasons. Crowds will thin in October, and then January and February see the fewest visitors, before starting to ramp back up in March.

You can also try to visit some less popular overlooks. Grand Canyon Village and Mather Point may be the most well-known overlooks, but you can find amazing views with far fewer visitors. Even along Desert View Drive, you’ll find some great viewpoints that won’t feel nearly as crowded. Check out Grandview Point, Lipan Point, Moran Point, or Navajo Point. You may not have the place all to yourself, but you’ll only share the views with a few people instead of a crowd.

By far the best way to beat the crowds in Grand Canyon National Park is to get out and hike. Only a small fraction of the park’s visitors get out on the trails, meaning that you get a lot more of the canyon to yourself. This can mean hiking down into the canyon on trails like the South Kaibab Trail, but understand — there are no easy trails into the canyon, most don’t have water, and it can get incredibly hot and taxing.

If that’s too much for you, Grand Canyon National Park still has trails you can explore. The Rim Trail offers amazing views and an accessible hike. It stretches from near the Grand Canyon Village to Hermit’s Rest, with part of the trail paved and easy to explore. The shuttle stops at multiple points along this hike, so you can decide how far you’d like to go. Even a short, easy hike on the Rim Trail will yield lovely views of the inner canyon, and only a small percentage of the park’s visitors bother to wander here. Their loss is your gain!

2. Consider Visiting the North Rim

Almost all of Grand Canyon National Park’s visitors head to the South Rim, while the North Rim only sees about one tenth of the park’s visitors. It’s a much quieter experience because of this, but keep in mind that it also has less infrastructure. You won’t have access to the food and lodging options that you do on the South Rim, but the North Rim’s Grand Canyon Lodge has a couple hundred small cabins, a restaurant, deli, lounge, gift shop, and campground.

Views from the North Rim differ as well. On the South Rim, the views emphasize the depth of the canyon, while the North Rim’s views show off the width. The Colorado River is barely visible from only one spot on the North Rim, so if you’re dying for views of the river that cut the canyon, you’ll want to visit South Rim.

The North Rim sits 1,000 feet higher in elevation, supporting a different ecosystem. That means different plants and animals, but also a slightly different climate. Summer temperatures remain pleasantly in the 70s and 80s, though the nighttime temperature can drop into the 20s even during the summer months. The visitation season is shorter than the South Rim, open only from mid-May until mid-October, as this area receives heavy snowfall in the winter. The Northern Rim is also more difficult to reach for most visitors than the South Rim, but if you would prefer a quieter, less populated, and more peaceful side of Grand Canyon National Park, then you should consider a visit to the North Rim.

3. Drive as Little as Possible

With six million annual visitors, it doesn’t take long to congest the roads in the park. The best solution to this problem? Don’t drive! During peak season, between March and September, the park’s free shuttle buses will pick up visitors in the nearby town of Tusayan. You don’t need tickets and this makes it easy to cut down on traffic congestion within the park.

Even if you drive to or from Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle if you use the shuttle system to get around within the park. Parking is limited at most trailheads and overlooks, and they fill up quickly during the peak season. The shuttle system is quick, efficient, and the drivers often share fun stories along the way. So leave your car in the main lot or at your campsite and enjoy getting around the park via the free shuttle system.

4. Take a Tour

It’s fun to explore a place like Grand Canyon National Park all by yourself, but professionals often have insights we miss. They know the area inside and out, and can share history, interesting facts, and incredibly stories with us. Luckily, you have a lot of options for guided tours at the Grand Canyon.

Interested in a hiking tour? Park Rangers lead nature walks and day hikes year-round at the South Rim, and during the open season at the North Rim. Looking for a different hiking experience? Check out some of the guided hiking and backpacking tours from the Grand Canyon Association Field Institute.

Not sure you want to hike that far? How about letting someone else do the walking for you with a mule or horseback riding tour? You can even explore the Grand Canyon on the water, getting up close and personal with the Colorado River with a rafting tour.

You can even explore by jeep or by helicopter if you prefer. If you’re more interested in the amazing sights that Grand Canyon National Park offers, these might be the best options for you.

5. Slow Down and Enjoy Yourself

It’s easy to feel a great rush to see everything you can at the Grand Canyon. You don’t want to miss anything, and your time in the park may be limited. But some of the best Grand Canyon experiences come from slowing down, having a seat overlooking the rim, and watching the sun fade. It’s an amazing feeling to look at the stars as they appear over the canyon’s far wall, or to feel the night breezes as they make their way across the landscape. It’s fun to explore places, but it’s even better to experience them with people you care about.

See all the sights that you can while visiting Grand Canyon National Park, but make sure you’re taking the time to enjoy them, not just checking them off of a list.

Enjoy your Visit to Grand Canyon National Park

There’s a reason that the Grand Canyon is known as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. There’s nothing else like it, and no one walks away from the canyon without a sense of awe. Everyone should take a trip here at least once in their life — and by following these five tips you can make the most of your visit.

We hope that you find value in this review! As always, if you want to see something in our travel pages, simply reach out to Glen directly through our Contact page. Visit our blog on U.S. Traveler’s Programs for tips on quicker security access in airports. If you’d to take advantage of travel deals through our affiliate partner, please feel free to use the banner below. Safe travels ~ Glen

We’re happy to have Wade as a part of our subject experts with The 55 Lifestyle!

Wade Ellett runs Intrepid Daily, a website devoted to helping people lead more adventurous lives. He recently moved to Spearfish, SD where he spends his time exploring the Black Hills National Forest with his wife and dog, and enjoying South Dakota’s six national parks and NPS managed sites.