One day at the Grand Canyon doesn’t sound like a lot – especially considering the Grand Canyon’s enormous size. But if you make good use of your time, you can easily experience a variety of Grand Canyon wow’s and confidently leave without feeling slighted in the least.
Important things to know for your one day at the Grand Canyon
Visit Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
Grand Canyon National Park spans more than 1.2 million acres, with separate entrances, rims, vantage points and trails to explore. If you are short on time, you are better off visiting the South Rim. Here’s why:
- Located 90 minutes from Flagstaff, 2 hours from Sedona, 4 hours from Phoenix and 4.5 hours from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon’s South Rim is more accessible from most major Western cities than the North Rim.
- There are shorter trails and more accessible viewpoints at the South Rim which are easier to fit into a limited-time itinerary.
- Iconic views that show off the vastness of the Grand Canyon are more visible at the South Rim compared to the North Rim.
- The South Rim is open year-round, while the North Rim closes between mid-October and mid-May.
Enter through the Grand Canyon East Entrance (even if it means driving further.)
The South entrance seems to be the most logical entrance to Grand Canyon National Park if you’re visiting the South Rim. But it’s also the busiest. The National Park Service says on their website that the South entrance experiences long lines and wait times of up to two hours.
No one wants to sit in line waiting to enter the park, especially when you’re already short on time!
Instead, drive around and enter the park through the less-crowded East Entrance on Desert View Drive. Not only will you sail right in, but it’s also an immensely scenic drive that you’d want to fit into your itinerary anyway. So driving it on the way in is a really efficient use of your time.
Numerous overlooks dot the route giving you impressive first views of the Canyon. So many, in fact, that you may start to get sensory overload. But isn’t that a great problem to have… too much insane beauty? You don’t have to stop at every rim overlook, here are a few of our favorites:
Desert View Point – This area provides great views of the Canyon, the Colorado River and includes the Desert View Watchtower, a bookstore, and restrooms.
Lipan Point – We had fun posing on the rocks and taking family pictures here.
Grandview Point – This viewpoint is popular because of the grand views and panoramas.
You can take as long or as little time driving this route and stopping at viewpoints. But if the views start to run together, keep on heading towards Grand Canyon Village to explore around the South Rim. We did the entire Desert View Drive the afternoon we arrived in about 2 hours including stops.
Lodge inside Grand Canyon National Park.
It’s a misconception that you can fully appreciate all the Grand Canyon has to offer in just a day-trip. (Find out more popular myths affecting your Grand Canyon itinerary here.) If you have less than 24 hours in the park, spread that time over an evening and morning by staying at a lodge inside the park. This way you can make use of the late evening and early morning hours to explore and experience the sunset and sunrise over the Canyon. The way the sun lights up the Canyon and creates a glow on the peaks means the golden hour at the Grand Canyon is a must-see. The lodges are conveniently located near the Rim Trail which offer many great viewing options. We stayed at Maswick Lodge and enjoyed the sunset and the sunrise from Mather Point.
There are five lodges at the South Rim, not including Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon. They range from modern to rustic, some with canyon views and within walking distance to restaurants and trailheads. Plan ahead if staying in the park as lodging can fill up quickly.
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Grand Canyon National Park is an impressive place to stargaze, too. Experience the park at night to really take in all this area has to offer.
Since it can be dangerous driving in and out of the park in the dark because of elk and deer crossings, staying in the park is not only more convenient but also safer.
Hike part way down the Canyon.
This point really should be listed as number one since it’s that important. Even with only one day at the Grand Canyon, you still have time to hike below the rim. There are trails leading to jaw-dropping viewpoints part way down that give you such a different perspective than from the rim. You can accomplish this even in a short timeframe.
The South Kaibab Trail, beginning south of Yaki Point, is a great option. You must take a shuttle bus to access the trailhead, but the shuttles run frequently so it’s not a hassle getting there.
The South Kaibab Trail starts with steep switchbacks on a very well-maintained dirt path. Walking beside towering rock walls with plunging canyon views on a narrow trail isn’t as scary as it sounds. I tend to be afraid of heights and I was completely comfortable walking down this route as long as I stayed on the inner part of the trail. The stunning views along the way cannot be overstated – it’s everything you came to the park to see. So don’t overlook this addition to your schedule.
We did this hike in the morning after catching the sunrise and eating breakfast. We started around 9 a.m. and hiked 3 miles round-trip in about 3 hours (including stops for A LOT of pictures and a snack break.)
Final things to consider for your one day at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is a spectacular geologic wonder. Any amount of time you can spend there will be well worth it. Planning your schedule in advance and keeping in mind the points mentioned above, you will leave feeling like you really captured the essence and vastness of the Grand Canyon. You can leave the park with no regrets, just plenty of grand memories to last a lifetime.
Have you been to Grand Canyon National Park? What are your tips for spending one day at the Grand Canyon? Tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you! And if you’re in the planning stages of your trip, you’ll want to read, “7 Popular Myths That Could Ruin Your Grand Canyon Itinerary.”
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