One Day in the Grand Canyon National Park: A Majestic Wonder of the World

The Grand Canyon is one of the most majestic places to visit in the United States. There is just something about seeing a huge hole in the ground that is millions of years old. Spending one day in the Grand Canyon will enable you to see the canyon from a ton of different viewpoints and make for an enjoyable day. On our most recent visit, we opted to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim. 

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History of Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is located in Northwestern Arizona. This gorge is considered one of the Wonders of the World and covers over one million acres. Initially, it is believed to have over 10,000 years of cultural links to the area. Eleven Native American tribes can trace their history to this area and throughout the 1500s, they acted as guides for the Spanish who explored the area.

During the 1880s, the Grand Canyon exploded in popularity due to the growth of railroads. Theodore Roosevelt visited the area in 1903 and by 1908, the area became the Grand Canyon National Monument. Finally, on February 26, 1919 the Grand Canyon became a National Park. In 1979, the Grand Canyon became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Present-day, the Grand Canyon is one of the most visited National Parks. 

Best Time to Spend One Day in Grand Canyon National Park

Summertime is peak season at the Grand Canyon. However, the weather is extremely hot, so if you plan on hiking, keep that in mind. During the wintertime, the Grand Canyon does get quite a bit of snow. Sometimes there is so much snow they have to close the park, but it can be a unique time in the park and it will be less busy. The best times to visit are late spring and early fall when the weather is not too hot and there is no snow yet. We visited in November and it was cold, but not covered in snow yet. 

North Rim vs. South Rim

The Grand Canyon has two different sections of the National Park: The North Rim and the South Rim. There is also the Grand Canyon West which is not run by the National Park. To get in between the two rims, it is almost 300 miles and takes about 4.5-hours. If coming from Utah, opt to visit the North Rim and if coming from somewhere in Arizona, opt to visit the South Rim.

Each rim offers a different experience, but both showcase the beauty of the Grand Canyon. If running short on time and you just want a glimpse of the Grand Canyon, you can visit the Grand Canyon West. This section is only 2 hours from Las Vegas and offers a glass skywalk to view the canyon. 

How to Get To Grand Canyon National Park

The most convenient and cheapest way to get to and from the Grand Canyon is by car. This allows you the most flexibility. Although there is a very small Grand Canyon airport, it is cheaper to fly into one of the major airports. 

South Rim

To get to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, opt to fly into Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff. From Flagstaff, take the 40 West to the 64 North. This takes you directly into the park. 

The South Rim also offers the Grand Canyon Railway that takes you into the park from Williams, Arizona. This is a unique experience and great for families. During the winter months, the train turns into the Polar Express. You can buy packages that include both the train and a hotel. 

North Rim

To get to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, fly into Las Vegas International Airport. From there, take the 15-North to St. George. Then take the 9-E to the 59-E to the 369-E to the 89-E. Finally, take the 67-S to the North Rim. 

To get between the two rims, you can either drive or take the Trans Canyon Shuttle. The shuttle runs from May to October and takes 4.5 hours each way.  

Transportation around Grand Canyon National Park

Depending on which areas of the park you visit, you will want a car to get around. If you visit from early spring to fall, there is a shuttle that runs from Tusayan to the South Rim, so you can opt to park outside of the park and take the shuttle in. This is known as the Tusayan Route (purple route).

Once inside the park, there are three shuttle lines. The Kaibab/Rim Route (orange route) and the Village Route (blue route) run all year. The Hermits Rest Route (red route) runs from March 1 to November 30. These shuttles are free for everyone to use, so it is easy to park your car in one place for the day and then use the shuttles to get around the rest of the park. 

Hours and Admission

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. 

The North Rim is open from dawn to dusk from around April to November. During the winter season, it is open for day use with special permits. Admission to the Grand Canyon is $35 per car and it is good for 7 days. If you are planning on visiting several National Parks throughout the year, buying the “America the Beautiful” National Parks pass is a good investment. This past cost $80 and it gets you into any National Park in the country. If you are currently in the military, or a 4th grade student, you can get this pass for free. Seniors over the age of 62 can get a lifetime pass for $80. 

Where to Stay

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best National Park hotels here!

Both the North and the South Rim have lodging and camping within the park. However, the lodges within the park can be a little pricey. If visiting the South Rim, I recommend staying in Tusayan which is about 5 minutes from the park entrance. We opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Express. This was a nice hotel and conveniently located. Tusayan also has many places to eat in town as well as some local attractions. Visiting the North Rim does not have any super convenient options close to the park, so you will want to opt to stay inside the park.  

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah and Arizona Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

What to See During One Day in Grand Canyon National Park

Day 1

Watch the Sunrise

One of the highlights of spending one day in the Grand Canyon is watching the sunrise over the canyon. Although I was too tired to get up early enough to make it, I know it would have been gorgeous. A popular spot to watch the sunrise is Hopi Point. To get there, you can park at the Bright Angel trailhead and then take the red line shuttle to Hopi Point. 

Bright Angel Trail

Distance (Roundtrip): 1.5-miles to 12-miles

The Bright Angel trail is one of the most popular South Rim hikes. I recommend starting this hike first thing in the morning as it can get busy. Also, depending on how far you choose to go, it may take you most of the day. This is a moderate to strenuous trail that takes you into the Grand Canyon. Keep in mind that it is downhill on the way into the canyon and you will have to hike back uphill on the way back.

Unless you are an avid hiker, I recommend only going out to the 1.5-mile resthouse and then turning around. This gives you some awesome views and takes you a good length into the canyon. If you just want to go a little ways into the canyon, you can hike to the second tunnel which is about 0.75-mile. This trail will be the highlight of your one day in the Grand Canyon.

Rim Trail

Distance (each way): 12.8-miles

After some lunch, opt to walk part of the Rim Trail. The Rim Trail goes along the edge of the South Rim. You can opt to hike it in small portions or the entire length. If you only want to hike part of it, the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle can be caught at many of the stops to take you back to your starting point. 

Explore the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle Route

Spend the afternoon of your one day in the Grand Canyon hopping on and off the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle. This route stops at 10 different viewpoints along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Most of the viewpoints are a short walk from the shuttle stop. If you only want to get off at a few stops, I recommend getting off at Maricopa Point, Hopi Point, and Pima Point. 

Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon is a gorgeous experience and the perfect way to end one day in the Grand Canyon. Mohave Point is one of the top places to watch the sunset. Make sure to get there early if you want a good spot, or opt for one of the less popular viewpoints. If you are not sure what time sunset is, make sure to check with the Visitor’s Center. 

More Than One Day in Grand Canyon National Park?

If you have more than one day in the Grand Canyon, there are enough things to do and sites to visit to fill two days at the Grand Canyon. 

Day 2

Desert View Drive

If you have time to spend two days at the Grand Canyon, you can opt to hike more of the Rim Trail or head out along Desert View Drive. This 22-mile stretch takes you out to the Desert View Watchtower and the East Entrance of the park. In the area is also another visitor’s center, a trading post, and a deli. Along the route are 5 viewpoints to stop at. Plan to spend several hours driving this route and stopping at the viewpoint. Note that Desert View Drive is often closed in the wintertime. 

Desert View Watchtower

The watchtower offers views of the Grand Canyon. Visitors can climb 85 steps to the top for 360 degree views of the area. Make sure not to miss the wall murals inside the watchtower as well. 

Tusayan Ruins and Museum

Also along the Desert View Drive is the Tusayan Ruins and Museum which is the remains of a small Pueblo village. Inside of the museum, visitors can learn about Pueblo life and see artifacts found in the area. 

Yavapai Point and Geology Museum

The Kaibab/Rim Route takes visitors out to Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum. At this museum, visitors can learn more about the geology of the Grand Canyon and take in some more great views of the area. This route also stops at Taki Point and the South Kaibab Trailhead. Taki Point is another great lookout. The South Kaibab trail is another trail that takes you into the Grand Canyon and connects with the Bright Angel Trail. 

Rent a Bike

Another option when exploring the South Rim is to ride a bike along the rim. You can opt to bring your own or opt to rent one inside of the park. There are several baths dedicated to bike riding. Bike rentals are available from March to October, weather pending. It costs $42 for a full day or $12.50 an hour. You can see the bike route here. 

Teacher Tip

Did you know that many National Parks sell beer by the can? They also usually have some special edition beers that are made about the park. Make sure to check out the general store if you are interested in grabbing a cold one after a long day of hiking. 

Final Tips for Spending One Day in the Grand Canyon

You can see a lot when you spend one day in the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a perfect addition to an Arizona Road Trip or a great stop on the way to Page, Arizona. Nearby are also Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. If you have more time, head down to Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix, or Tuscon to see more of the beautiful state of Arizona. No matter what, there is a ton to explore in the area and endless options for one day in the Grand Canyon. 

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