Grand Canyon Travel Guide: Best Time, Things to Do & Itinerary

Contact Information

Why This Place is Special

• • Mather Point sunrise views and extensive panoramas
• • Historic Grand Canyon Village and Mary Colter's architecture
• • Bright Angel Trail descending into the inner canyon
• • Desert View Watchtower offering views of the Colorado River
• • Hermit Road scenic drive and shuttle route
• • Exposed geological rock layers spanning 2 billion years

Ideal For

Facilities & Amenities

• • Parking
• • Restrooms
• • Drinking water
• • Cafeteria
• • Information center
• • Wheelchair access
• • First aid
• • Souvenir shops
• • Seating areas

Rules & Restrictions

• • No pets allowed below the canyon rim or on shuttle buses
• • No drones permitted anywhere within the national park boundaries
• • Do not feed, touch, or approach wildlife
• • No throwing rocks, coins, or objects over the canyon edge
• • Camping is strictly limited to designated campgrounds and requires permits
• • No removing natural or cultural objects from the park

Safety Information

• • Stay at least 2 meters (6 feet) away from the canyon edge and do not cross protective barriers
• • Do not attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back up in a single day
• • Carry and consume at least 3-4 liters of water and salty snacks when hiking below the rim to prevent hyponatremia
• • During summer afternoon thunderstorms, stay away from the rim edge and seek indoor shelter to avoid lightning strikes
• • Elk and deer roam the village; maintain a distance of at least 30 meters and never feed them
• • Ice traction devices (crampons/microspikes) are necessary for hiking inner canyon trails during winter