How to Visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

In the fall and winter months, visitation at the Grand Canyon is restricted to access via the South Rim. This article will give you a great idea how to get there and some great places to stay in the park on the South Rim.

Things You'll Need

• For overnight trips, hotel reservations
• Meal plans (breakfast, lunch, or dinner)
• Your camera

Instructions

How to Get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

1. If approaching from the West, travel East on I-40 from Kingman, Arizona. If approaching from the East, travel West on I-40 from Flagstaff, Arizona.

2. Take exit 165 for AZ-64 and travel North (it is easy to follow the signs to the Grand Canyon). It is approximately 57 miles to the South Rim Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park.

3. Pay entrance fee for park. For passenger vehicles, this is $25 and your pass is good for 3 days.

How to Enjoy Your Trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

1. Make hotel reservations if you plan on staying at the Grand Canyon South Rim overnight. It is recommended that you make these reservations 3 months in advance, especially for the hotels located on the canyon rim. You will find the following hotels inside the park: Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, Phantom Ranch (located at the bottom of the canyon and advance reservations are required). You will find the following hotels right outside the entrance of the South Rim: Grand Hotel, Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Red Feather Lodge.

2. If you plan on having dinner while at the South Rim, reservations are recommended for the El Tovar Dining Room only. Call 3 months in advance for prime dining times (5:30pm-8pm). You can get a list of area restaurants from the Bright Angel Lodge or the El Tovar for quick reference as well.

3. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular at the Grand Canyon! Get up early and go to the South Rim canyon rim path located behind the Bright Angel Lodge and El Tovar Hotel for a spectacular shot.

4. There is a free shuttle service that will take you pretty much anywhere on the South Rim. The newspaper guide you are given when entering the park has an easy, full-color map of the shuttle stops and the schedules. Park your car and let them do the driving for you!

Tips & Warnings

• The North Rim is closed in the winter due to snow. The South Rim is the only point from which to access the Grand Canyon following the beginning of September.

• Do not approach or feed the wildlife in the Grand Canyon!