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Grand Canyon South Rim Tour (Best Views, Hikes & Scenic Stops). Welcome to the Grand Canyon South Rim—one of the most searched natural wonders in the world and widely considered the best part of the Grand Canyon to visit for first-time travelers. Spanning over 1.2 million acres, the South Rim can feel overwhelming to plan on your own. With so many overlooks, hikes, and viewpoints, the biggest question most visitors have is simple: where are the best views of the Grand Canyon?
That’s where Shaka Guide comes in. On this self-guided driving tour, we take you straight to the best places to see the Grand Canyon South Rim, including iconic overlooks, scenic drives, easy hikes, and must-see landmarks—so you don’t waste time guessing where to go.
If you’re searching for the best hikes in the Grand Canyon, the most scenic viewpoints, or the top things to do at the South Rim, this tour covers it all in one easy experience.
Here are just a few of the best views and things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim:
• Take a photo at the Grand Canyon Welcome Sign
• Watch sunrise or sunset at Mather Point—one of the best viewpoints in the park
• Explore trails and viewpoints around Grand Canyon Village
• Drive along Hermit Road for some of the most scenic overlooks in the park
• Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum for sweeping canyon views and insight into how it formed
Whether you’re looking for the best place to view the Grand Canyon, planning your first visit to the South Rim, or trying to find the top hikes and overlooks, this tour helps you experience the canyon’s most unforgettable highlights without the stress of planning.
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
The Grand Canyon South Rim Tour has 42 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!
The park is open 24 hours a day, but the visitor center, shuttle and other services have varying hours of operation. Learn more here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hours.htm
From March through November there is a mandatory shuttle along Hermit Road. Yaki Point has a mandatory shuttle all year round meaning no person vehicles are allowed on these roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm.
If you are taking the tour, the audio will work on these shuttles! Just put on some headphones and listen to interesting stories as you go.
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
This tour goes in only one direction but you can start from 4 different starting areas:
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
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