12 Things to Know Before Visiting the Grand Canyon

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The Grand Canyon isn’t just a giant hole in the ground. It’s the Disney World of U.S. national parks. First, the wow factor is real and cannot be understated. Visually and geologically, there is no place like it, and you can’t take it all in even though you want to. It’s hard to pull yourself away from gazing at it.

But before you get swept away by its majestic beauty, I need to tell you that planning a trip to this majestic landmark does require some extra thought and effort.

There are a few things I wish I’d known when I started planning our Arizona road trip. So let me share what I learned from my visit. I hope it will help you get the most out of yours.

1. The Grand Canyon is huge

Grand Canyon Desert View Overlook - one of the things to know before traveling to Grand Canyon National Park is where the best viewpoints are.

The Grand Canyon isn’t just big, it’s massive, colossal, and breathtakingly vast. It stretches out for 277 miles, with an average width of 10 miles and a depth of over a mile. Standing on the edge, you’ll feel small and insignificant, humbled by the sheer magnitude of the canyon before you.

The freedom to roam and explore the Grand Canyon is both exhilarating and liberating. With its vastness, there are endless opportunities to hike, camp, and explore. You can venture deep into the canyon, traversing its rugged terrain, or simply stand at the rim and soak in the panoramic views.

2. You need more than one day

To be honest, with 1,217,262 acres to explore, you really won’t be able to see much of the Grand Canyon in one day. It’s doable (and I’ve done this), but your experience in the park is going to be limited. You can take a short walk in the rim trail and if you are driving from the right direction you can enjoy the overlooks along Desert View Drive, but you’ll be rushing through the experience, missing out on the little details that make the Grand Canyon so special.

Two days should be plenty to view the most famous sights and take a couple of short treks in the Grand Canyon. You’ll have time to take Bright Angel trail at least a short way down into the canyon, so you can get beyond the most heavily-trafficked stretch of the rim trail to the further, less crowded bits.

But ideally, you want to give yourself at least 3-4 days. That way, you can rent bikes, do a ranger activity or two, and fit in extras like the museums and native American dances. You’ll also have time for dinner at the lodge (which is worth the effort both for the food and the unique room).

3. The best times to visit are Spring and Autumn

For the optimal experience, plan your visit in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and crowds are at their lowest.

In spring,  temperatures are pleasant during the day and cooler in the evenings, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and camping. The canyon comes alive with vibrant colors as the flowers bloom, creating a picturesque backdrop for your adventures.

Autumn, on the other hand, offers a different kind of experience. The weather cools down after the sweltering summer heat and the leaves change colors, making for a stunning photogenic scene. Plus, the canyon’s serenity is more readily apparent because fewer people are there.

Keep in mind that families in Arizona, Utah, and California hit the parks over their respective spring breaks. And foreign travelers start streaming in in April, to beat the summer heat. So I would consider peak season for visiting the Grand Canyon to be roughly Easter to Halloween.

4. You have to plan ahead.

Grand Canyon El Tovar dining room

Being such an impressive spot, The Grand Canyon can get extremely crowded, especially during peak seasons. This means that things book up very quickly!

Accommodations: The Grand Canyon park lodges take reservations a year in advance and rooms disappear quickly. If you want a decent price on a hotel or campground outside the park, I would book six to 12 months ahead, depending on the time of year I would travel. Three months out, there were almost no hotel options at all near the park (forget in the park!) and the options we had were expensive and mediocre.

CLICK HERE to search for hotels near the Grand Canyon.

Dining in the park: El Tovar dining room starts taking reservations six months out. Depending on your time of year, I’d book 3-6 months ahead to get a reservation between 6:00 and 8:00. We called the El Tovar dining room a month before our visit and were offered the undesirable option of dining at 5:30 or 8:30. We took 8:30 and felt lucky to get it.

Tours and excursions: If you want to take a unique tour like the Grand Canyon Railway trip from Williams, Colorado River rafting trips through the canyon, or another elaborately-outfitted trip, you’ll need to book 6 months to a year ahead, too.

5. You can stay inside the park.

To make the most of your time, you’ll be delighted to know that there are hotels conveniently located within the park. The park has five lodges, including a ranch on the canyon floor. Some are very modern; while others are older and have more character.

Not only do they offer easy access to the park’s trails and viewpoints, but you’ll find everything you need to relax and recharge after a day of adventure. Some hotels even have swimming pools and spas, allowing you to unwind and rejuvenate your body and mind.

Just remember that the hotels in the park can get busy, especially during peak seasons. So make your reservations well in advance..

6. Entry isn’t free.

One of the most important things to know before visiting the Grand Canyon is that you have to pay to enter the park. The fee helps preserve the park’s natural beauty, maintain its facilities and infrastructure, and support visitor services and educational programs.

The cost varies depending on how you enter: a single private vehicle with up to 15 passengers is $35, while individuals entering by foot, bike, or shuttle pay $20. Kids under 16 are free. Cash is not accepted at the entrance stations, so plan to pay by credit or debit card.

If you plan on visiting other national parks within the year, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass. This annual pass grants entry to all National Park Service sites—including Grand Canyon—for a flat fee of $80, which will save you money on entrance fees in the long run.

7. Always carry water with you

One of the most important lessons I learned during my visit to the Grand Canyon was the absolute necessity of carrying water with you at all times. Even short hikes can leave you feeling parched under the relentless sun.

Pack a reusable water bottle and fill it up at designated stations before setting out, because water is scarce away from the main viewpoints. Make sure to sip it regularly too, no matter how short your planned activity may seem.

8. You can camp on the Rim and in the Canyon

Speaking of saving money, travelers on a tighter budget can camp at the Grand Canyon. There are several campgrounds on the Rim where you can enjoy stunning views of the canyon, fall asleep under a blanket of stars and wake up to breathtaking sunrises. They even have basic amenities like restrooms and picnic tables.

If you prefer unspoiled nature and want to avoid the crowds, you can stay at one of the designated backcountry sites instead. Camping in the Canyon requires a permit, so make sure to plan ahead and bring appropriate gear for the difficult terrain.

9. The Rim Trail is perfect for non-hikers

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

If you’re not much of a hiker, don’t worry – there’s still a perfect way for you to enjoy the incredible beauty of the Grand Canyon: the Rim Trail. It stretches for about 13 miles along the South Rim, and you’ll get breathtaking views without any strenuous hiking.

Being mostly paved, the trail is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, with some sections being wheelchair accessible. Just be warned that in winter, surfaces may be slippery or icy, so caution is advised.

10. The park’s shuttle buses are worth it.

While driving your own car seems convenient, parking in the Grand Canyon can be a nightmare, especially during the summer and holiday seasons. Fortunately, there’s a shuttle system that can make your trip a lot easier and more time efficient. Shuttle rides are free and unlimited with your entrance fee.

There are three free shuttle bus routes (Village, Kaibab Rim, Hermit Road) that run regularly throughout the day. They efficiently connect major viewpoints, visitor centers, and lodging on the South Rim. There’s also a special early morning shuttle for hikers looking to get an early start at the South Kaibab Trailhead.

The Village Route runs until 7:30 pm, so you can catch the sunset. You can download the official NPS app or grab a map for routes and schedules.

ⓘ PRO TIP: If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon in the summer and staying in Tusayan, hop on the Tusayan Shuttle Route (AKA the Purple Route). This way, you can skip the long lines to get into the park and the hassle of finding a parking space. You’ll need to have your park entrance pass when you board the bus.

Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel Trail

One small time saver is to bypass the huge parking lot at the main Visitors’ Center. It’s worth a stop for the movie and daily schedule and, if you have kids, the Junior Ranger workbook. But it’s a long shuttle ride to the parts of the park you really want to get to, especially the further, less busy part of the rim trail.

There are smaller lots closer to where you want to be. If you arrive early in the morning (before 9:30) or in the late afternoon, you can find a spot in these lots pretty easily.

11. Everything is expensive—but there are ways to save money.

NPS Ranger talking to families, explaining all the Grand Canyon things to know.

In Tusayan, the town right outside the Grand Canyon, we paid $240/night for a two-star hotel. We also paid $4 for a small coffee at McDonalds. That coffee price really bugged me.

Some of these high prices are unavoidable, but there are ways to save money here and there.

  • To avoid top prices at the hotels, don’t book your trip to coincide with school breaks.
  • Book a hotel that offers free parking and breakfast.
  • There are a couple of general stores in town where you can pick up sandwiches and picnic provisions for lunch.
  • The Maswick Lodge has a pub where you can order pizza by the pie or slice.
  • The restaurants in the park were not inexpensive but we felt they offered better value and quality than the places in town.
  • The park rangers give great tours and talks for free; make a point of catching up with one. We loved the fossil walk that we did.

ⓘ TIP: The National Parks Service has free entry days, offers discounts to veterans, seniors, and volunteers, and gives families of 4th grade students free access to the parks for one year. You can also buy an annual pass for $80, which is a great deal if you plan to visit multiple parks in one year.

12. Tusayan is a disappointing town

You would expect the town that sits outside of the Grand Canyon to be a fairly bustling and sprightly place, but no. We could not have been more disappointed with Tusayan. Shopping, dining and lodging options were shockingly limited and mediocre (and as I mentioned before, overpriced).

If you want to stay in Tusayan, the best solution I can offer is to grab the best lodging deal you can find and spend as little of your time as possible in the town. But there are plenty of other Grand Canyon lodging options, so don’t feel you have no other choice.

Plan your Grand Canyon visit

Luckily, the park itself has pretty good resources. Take advantage of them as well as the following resources to help you plan your trip.

US NATIONAL PARKS – TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
✔ The U.S National Park Service has many useful trip planning resources on their website.
✔ Guidebook:
We use Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 Parks. Super helpful!
✔ Getting around: The best way to get around the national parks is by car. Rent a car here.
✔ Flights: Check prices and availability here.
✔ Accommodation: Save time and money by using Trivago (hotels) and Vrbo (apartments)
✔ Airport transfer: Prebook transportation to your hotel from the airport.
✔ Travel Visas: Do you need a visa to enter the U.S.? Check here.
✔ Travel Insurance: World Nomads is available while you’re traveling!

Other helpful articles:

Colorado River, as seen from north rim of Grand Canyon, pines in foreground. Text Text overlay: travel tips grand canyon visiting secrets

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Written by Eileen Gunn

Eileen Gunn is a veteran journalist and the founder and editor of FamiliesGo!. You can also follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

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9 thoughts on “12 Things to Know Before Visiting the Grand Canyon”

  1. This is a great list, we also don’t like Tusayan. I would like to add one more, and that is to know the difference between the West Rim and the National Park. The West Rim is not part of the national park and is quite the tourist trap; it is best avoided. The national park is what you visited and is what is considered classic Grand Canyon, we take people there on trips like these and they absolutely love it. When we take people to the West Rim, the reaction is a lot less enthusiastic.

  2. Hi Linda,

    We intend to visit the Grand Canyon in the future. This year we are going to Madeira during the Easter holidays, but it is quite possible that we will be able to do it next year. Thanks for the tips!

  3. I appreciate that you said that it is cheaper in the restaurants in the park and that they have better quality. We’ll be going away next week, and I’ve heard that everything is expensive around the Grand Canyon. I wanted to thank you for giving tips on how to find good deals near the area.

  4. Thanks for all of the tips and info! We’ll definitely work on planning and booking this trip early! We’re making a trip to Yellowstone and Glacier this year. The plan is to do a smaller road trip in 2019 then finally get to the Grand Canyon in 2020.

  5. Thank you for all the information about The Grand Canyon. My family has been thinking about going there for a vacation, and we wanted to know a little more before we went. I’m glad you mentioned to plan at least 6 to 12 months ahead. That would give us a lot of time to plan.

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