Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon: Is it really worth it? Here is what we found out...
- lisefiad
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 29
After dreaming about it for years, we finally made it there early this spring, and it was every bit as inspiring as we hoped. In this post, we’re sharing everything we learned: what to expect, when to go, how much it costs, and which viewpoints stole our hearts.
Spoiler alert: We absolutely think it’s worth it, and we highly recommend visiting in the off season!
What to Know Before You Go
Where is the South Rim?
The South Rim is the most visited area of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s open year-round and offers the most accessible views, visitor services, and iconic overlooks.
The closest city to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is Tusayan, Arizona, located just about 7 miles south of the park entrance. It's a small town with a few hotels, restaurants, and services catering to visitors.
If you're looking for a larger city with more amenities, Flagstaff, Arizona is about a 1.5-hour drive (80 miles) from the South Rim and offers more options for accommodations, dining, and supplies. Flagstaff is a popular base for Grand Canyon visitors, especially if you're looking to explore both the canyon and other nearby attractions.
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry to Grand Canyon National Park costs $35 per vehicle and is good for seven days. If you plan to visit more national parks within the year, we highly recommend the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 per year) which gets you into all US national parks and federal lands.
Best time to visit?
We visited in early spring and would do it again in a heartbeat. The weather was cool but not cold, the skies were clear, and, best of all, it was still quiet. Here’s what to expect by season:
Spring (March to May): Cooler temps, fewer crowds, beautiful lighting. Layers are key.
Summer (June to August): Hot, crowded, and full of tour buses. Be ready for traffic, long lines, and little shade.
Fall (September to November): Crisp air, golden light, and fewer people... similar to spring but with a different color palette.
Winter (December to February): Snow dusting the canyon can be stunning, but road conditions can change fast. Dress in layers and check the forecast.
The Viewpoints We Visited
We made a slow loop along Desert View Drive, a scenic route filled with incredible overlooks... all accessible by car. No hiking necessary, just plenty of pull-offs, parking spots, and short walks to jaw-dropping views.
Here are the stops we made:
Yaki Point
A peaceful spot with sunrise potential. It’s one of the few viewpoints that requires you to park and take a shuttle (or walk/bike), but it’s worth the extra step.
Mather Point
One of the most popular and easily accessible viewpoints near the Visitor Center. It gives you a classic Grand Canyon view and is great for first-timers.
Yavapai Viewpoint
This one has a little museum and indoor viewing area which is perfect if you’re visiting during colder weather. The views from the outside deck are wide and colorful.
Duck on a Rock Viewpoint
An underrated stop with a unique rock formation that (you guessed it) looks like a duck. Now here’s the deal: if you want to get close to the rock for photos or a better view, you’ll need to do a tiny bit of scrambling. It’s not a formal trail and there’s no railing, so please be careful. Wear solid shoes with grip, go slow, and only climb if you feel confident. It’s not recommended, but people do it (we did). Proceed at your own risk.
Grandview Point
True to its name, this one gives you sweeping views of the canyon that stretch out forever. It feels quieter than some of the others, and we stayed here a long time just soaking it all in.
Moran Point
The light here was unreal. We arrived in the late afternoon and the golden glow made the colors of the canyon pop. It felt surreal.
Lipan Point
This one was a favorite, it offers one of the most expansive views of the canyon and even a peek at the Colorado River winding through the rock layers below. The depth and color variation from this spot are stunning. It felt quiet, wide open, and like one of the best places to really grasp just how massive the canyon is.
Navajo Point
The highest overlook on the South Rim and home to some incredible panoramic views. You can also see the Desert View Watchtower from here.
Scenic Drive, Not a Hike
If you’re looking for a low-effort, high-reward kind of day, this is it. Every viewpoint we stopped at was accessible by car, and the walks from parking to the overlook were short and easy. This wasn’t a hiking day... it was a slow, scenic drive with lots of pulling over, taking pictures, and letting the views speak for themselves.
Is the South Rim Really Worth It?
In our opinion: absolutely.
We were a little worried it might feel too touristy or overhyped. But seeing it with our own eyes, with space to breathe and time to take it in? It was unforgettable
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We laughed, we got quiet, we filmed, even though it felt awkward... And we were so glad we did because the Grand Canyon isn’t just something to see... It’s something you want to remember.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Canyon is iconic for a reason. But seeing it with fewer crowds and no agenda made it feel deeply personal. It reminded us why we hit the road in the first place... to slow down, to be moved by nature, and to remember the little moments that add up to a lifetime.
If you’re on the fence about going, we say go... go while you can. You won’t regret it!
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