Smartest Solutions for the Proper Grand Canyon Tours
There are two entrances to the South Rim: the south one that leads to the Grand Canyon Village and the one to the east that instead leads to the Desert View Watchtower. Which of the two entrances is best to use depends essentially on your itinerary. For the grand canyon tours this is important now.
- If you are coming from the north (for example from Kanab or Page) and the next leg of your itinerary takes you to Flagstaff or Williams area then it is preferable to use the east entrance of Desert View.
- If you come from the south (for example from Williams or Flagstaff) and your next stop is instead north of the Grand Canyon (for example Monument Valley) then you should use the south entrance of the Grand Canyon Village.
Doing so in both cases you will have the opportunity to be already directed to your next destination after visiting the national park by car. Obviously these tips lose some value if, once you arrive, you decide to park the car to use the various services of the Grand Canyon, since you will have to start from your point of arrival, thus missing the advantage of already being on the road to your next destination.
Reach the South Rim by other means
If you want to leave your rental car parked for a day, know that you will have many choices to visit the Grand Canyon anyway.
Train: yes, if you find yourself passing through Williams, one of the best choices you can make is to go by train to the Grand Canyon. In addition to combining the advantage of visiting a historic city on Route 66 in Arizona, this will allow you to make a real leap in time thanks to the western re-enactments that will accompany you along the way.
Bus: Bus transportation services are available in all the major cities near the Grand Canyon. Some tours also depart from Las Vegas. However, consider that with this option you will have to spend a lot of time on the means of transport (especially if you are leaving Las Vegas). As for shuttle services from neighboring cities, we refer you to the section on tips to avoid traffic.
Air or helicopter tour: these are certainly the most fascinating ways to visit the American park and for this reason, they are also the most requested. Given therefore the high number of offers that a tourist finds himself having to evaluate we decided to dedicate a guide on how to choose a tour by helicopter or plane on the Grand Canyon.
How to visit the South Rim independently
If you want to visit the Grand Canyon on your own, here is all you can do at the South Rim.
Follow the Desert View Drive
The Desert View Drive is a 40-kilometer panoramic road that connects the Desert View Watchtower to the Grand Canyon Village area. Walking along with it you will find six scenic rest areas, four picnic areas and the archaeological area of the Tusayan Ruin and Museum.
If you are thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon without the car, be careful because the shuttle services do not travel the Desert Drive but only reach Yaki Point without going further.
Starting from west to east here are the main attractions you will encounter
Desert View Watchtower
For those who have chosen to enter the Grand Canyon using the East entrance, this is the first structure they will see inside the park. I advise you not to miss a stop and a visit inside.
