Arizona

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Name: Grand Canyon South Rim Tour
Brand: Shaka Guide
SKU: 66
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.73 (610 reviews)

Duration 8-12 hrs

Tour Directions 2

Tour Stops 24

$9.99

Description

A place that needs no introduction, welcome to The Grand Canyon. More specifically, the South Rim. This massive National Park spans over 1.2 million acres and 1,904 square miles. With so much to do, we’ve hand-picked the best stops so you can make the most of your day. We’ll take you through the South Rim stopping at overlooks, hikes, scenic drives, museums and more!

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

• Take a selfie at the Grand Canyon Welcome Sign
• Watch the sunrise at Mather Point
• Hike to Grand Canyon Village
• Explore Hermit Road
• Visit Yavapai Geology Museum

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Recommended Start Time: Before 8:00 a.m. - this tour packs a lot in!
Tour Direction(s): Clockwise - northbound; Counterclockwise - southbound
Tour Starting Point(s): Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ (northbound route only) and Page, AZ (southbound route only)
Time to complete: Approximately 1-2 days

*There are free, mandatory shuttles at Yaki Point and Hermit Road - don’t worry the tour will still work!*

You can find more information about the shuttles in our tour FAQ’s below!

All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Features

Views

Hikes

Storytelling

Tour Stops

Little Colorado River Gorge Overlooks

Tusayan Ruins

Lipan Point

Navajo Point

Desert View Watchtower

Moran Point

Grandview Lookout Tower

Buggeln Picnic Area

Grandview Point

Duck on a Rock Viewpoint

Twin Overlooks

S. Kaibab Trailhead

Pipe Creek Vista

Mather Point

Rim Trail to Yavapai Geology Museum

The Grand Canyon Village

Verkamp’s Visitor Center

Hopi House

El Tovar Hotel

Bright Angel Lodge

Lookout Studio

Kolb Studio

Train Depot

Desert View Drive

View All

Preview Audio

HOW TO MAKE A GRAND CANYON

HOW TO MAKE A GRAND CANYON PT II

HOW TO MAKE A GRAND CANYON

How to Build a Grand Canyon

View All

Tour Route

View Map

Important Travel Info

Budgeting, Fees & Reservations

Suggested Packing List

Safety & Etiquette

Time & Schedule

Costs:

Car rental: $75-$150/day (prices fluctuate)

Lodging: $65-$300/night (prices vary)

Food: $10-$30 per meal

Park Entrance Fees: $35 per car for up to 7 days (if you’re visiting multiple parks, you may want to consider purchasing a yearly pass. Click here for more info)

Parking: Free inside the park

Park Shuttle: Free

Specialty tours: $50-300 per tour

Reservations:

Reservations are required for three campsites (click to book):

Desert View Campground

Mather Campground

Trailer Village RV Park

Headphones - Required for listening while on shuttles!

Charger - Very important!

Layered Clothing - Easy on and off layers are a must for changing canyon temperatures.

Refillable Water Bottles

Hiking/Walking Sticks

Good Shoes/ Hiking Boots

Crampons/Spikes - Trails may be icy, even in the Spring.

Blacklight - Bring one if you want to spot the scorpions that live in the canyon.

Sunscreen

Snacks

Hats/Sunglasses

Camera/Phone Cleanser - The bottom of the canyon can be very dusty.

The Grand Canyon is a stunning, sometimes spiritual place, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. To preserve that wonder for others, be sure to practice safe and respectful travel, the Shaka Guide Way.

During your visit, be sure to adhere to the leave-no-trace principles. Pack it all out, pick up your trash, take nothing but pictures, respect the wildlife, and stick to the path.

Leashed pets are allowed on the rim trails. Only service dogs are permitted below the rim. If you need to bring your service dog below the rim, check the Backcountry Information Center first.

We recommend that you arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim by 8 a.m. After that, you may have to wait in line at the entrance gate - and with so many highlights closing in the early evening, it’s important to make the most of those precious early hours. Plus, parking tends to be scarce from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If possible, you should give yourself at least two days to explore everything that the South Rim has to offer, especially if you plan to come in the summer months.

Important closing times to note:

Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center closes at 4 p.m.

Yavapai Geology Museum closes at 6 p.m.

Various lunch restaurants close at 3 p.m.

Most National Park Service buildings close at 5 p.m., such as:

- Hopi House

- Lookout Studio

- Kolb Studio

- Hermit's Rest

- Desert View Watchtower

Tour FAQs

Where does the Grand Canyon South Rim Tour go?

The Grand Canyon South Rim Tour has 29 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!

What should I pack for the Grand Canyon South Rim Driving Tour?

Headphones - Required for listening while on shuttles!
Charger - Very important!
Layered Clothing - Easy on and off layers are a must for changing canyon temperatures.
Refillable Water Bottles
Hiking/Walking Sticks
Good Shoes/Boots
Crampons/Spikes - Trails may be icy, even in the Spring.
Blacklight - Bring one if you want to spot the scorpions that live in the canyon.
Sunscreen
Snacks
Hats/Sunglasses
Camera/Phone Cleanser - The bottom of the canyon can be very dusty.

What should I budget for the Grand Canyon South Rim Driving Tour?

$10 per person: Snacks
$10-15 per person: Lunch
$20-30 per person: Dinner
$35.00 per vehicle: Grand Canyon Weekly Park Pass

What are the park hours on the Grand Canyon South Rim Driving Tour?

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

What do I need to know about the South Rim shuttles?

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.

Can I join the Grand Canyon South Rim Driving Tour en route?

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.

Can I take the Grand Canyon South Rim Driving Tour in the opposite direction?

Yes! The tour is available in both northbound and southbound routes. The northbound tour begins in either Flagstaff, AZ or Williams, AZ and the southbound tour begins in Page, AZ.