Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon can be a daunting task, but these tips will help ease your worries.
Avisit to the Grand Canyon is on many bucket lists, so it’s no surprise that with more than 5 million annual visitors, it’s the country’s second most visited national park (the Great Smokey Mountains claims the number one spot). That staggering number of visitors, however, can make planning a trip quite daunting, so we sat down with David Rainey, a Grand Canyon travel expert and Adventures by Disney Adventure Guide, for a few travel planning tips to make your trip to the Grand Canyon one to remember.
“I love helping our guests unplug and simply enjoy the company of each other in what can only be described as a beautiful and culturally rich region of the United States,” he says. Rainey estimates he’s taken more than 750 groups to Grand Canyon National Park.
Which Trail Do I Choose?
The Grand Canyon has 595 miles of trails, but only 35 miles are paved. So, where do you begin? If you’re looking for easy and accessible, Rainey suggests either the Shoshone Point or Ooh Aah Point trails.
“Shoshone Point is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes at the Grand Canyon. At just over two miles round trip and with very little elevation change, this is a hike that is suitable for nearly anyone. The Ooh Aah Point hike begins at the South Kaibab trailhead and is just under two miles, but you will walk below the rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s still very accessible for most travelers as the elevation change is only 685 feet. The easiest way to access this hike is by utilizing the park’s free shuttle service and taking the orange [Kaibab Rim] route from the main visitor center.”
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INSIDER TIPIf you take the Ooh Aah Point trail, pat yourself on the back because only 5% of all Grand Canyon visitors hike below the rim.
Should I Eat at the El Tovar Dining Room?
Everyone from President Bill Clinton to Paul McCartney is said to have dined in the El Tovar Dining Room, and a dinner reservation here is hard to come by. For those with a room at El Tovar Lodge, dinner reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance; for all other visitors, reservations can be made 30 days in advance. If you can’t get a dinner reservation (breakfast is hard to get, too), we suggest trying for lunch. It’s easier to get a reservation, the food is pretty good, and the prices are reasonable.
Where’s the Best Place to See the Sunset?
Rainey says the best place to watch the sunset is at Moran Point. “The Grand Canyon has many fantastic sunset spots, but my personal favorite is Moran Point. If you Google the top sunset locations at the Grand Canyon, you will likely see Hopi Point and Lipan Point listed. I would agree these are great sunset locations, but they are often crowded. Moran Point gives an equally stunning sunset experience without as many people.”
Moran Point is located on Desert View Drive, which heads out along the canyon to the east of the Grand Canyon Village. The free shuttle buses do not operate on Desert View Drive, so if you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive, take the free shuttle’s Hermit Road (Red) Route about an hour before sunset (between 6 and 8 pm in the summer) and get off at Hopi Point (the last stop). From there, you can hike to Mohave Point to catch the sunset; it’s about a mile walk along the Rim trail, and at that time of day, you’ll feel like you’re the only people at the Canyon, which is an incredible feeling. Being further out after sunset might also increase your chance to grab a seat on the public bus returning to the Bright Angel area after sunset.
INSIDER TIPNot all the free shuttle bus routes run in the winter. Hermit Road (Red) Route is closed from December through February, and the Tusayan Park & Ride (Purple) Route only operates in the summer.
What if It Rains?
Many activities surrounding the Grand Canyon are outside, so a rainy day isn’t ideal, but Rainey assures us there are a few options. The first is to take in the IMAX movie at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan.
“It does a good job breaking down how the Grand Canyon was formed and includes some interesting historical moments like recreating John Wesley Powell navigating the Colorado River,” he says. “It’s also only 37 minutes long, which is the perfect length for staying entertained without becoming bored.”
Another option is to check out some of the historic buildings—Kolb Studio, Hopi House, El Tovar Hotel—in the Grand Canyon Village that you may have otherwise overlooked. The Kolb Studio started as a tent that the Kolb brothers set up to take photos of people going down Bright Angel Trail in the early 1900s. Now, it’s an excellent place to buy books about the canyon and enjoy art exhibits. El Tovar Hotel is another favorite spot of Rainey’s to escape the rain. You can learn about Theodore Roosevelt’s connection to the park (there’s a whole room dedicated to him) but also grab a bite to eat.
Where Should I Shop?
There are eight gift shops in and around Grand Canyon Village, but Rainey says the Hopi House is a must-visit, “This historic building can be found in the Grand Canyon Village and was designed by legendary architect Mary Colter in 1905. It’s one of the largest gift shops in the park and is an excellent place to shop for genuine Native American crafts.”
Another tip—stop at the Tusayan General Store before you enter the park’s South Rim. It’s a good place to stock up on snacks, drinks, and other sundries, though we’ve noted that souvenirs are not always cheaper than those you’ll find in the park.
What Else Should I Not Miss?
Go stargazing. The Grand Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park, and according to Rainey, “it’s one of the best places in the United States to watch the stars.” Check park programming as telescopes are set up in the large parking lot behind the Visitor Center at certain times of the year to give visitors optimal star viewing opportunities.
