Grand Canyon National Park attractions

Spread across 1.6 million acres (647,497 hectares), Kaibab National Forest, located just east of Las Vegas, is divided into three distinct sections, north and south of the Grand Canyon. Filled with grassland prairies, rocky riverbeds, scrubland, and peaks like Kendrick Mountain, the expansive park gives you a sense of Grand Canyon-esque landscape and ecosystems without the crowds.

The Hualapai have been living in the Grand Canyon area for generations, and today the tribe offers some of the area’s best experiences at Hualapai Ranch. Enjoy cowboy shows, cookouts, and wagon rides; visit Indian Village to learn fascinating history; and brave the Skywalk, a platform extending 70 feet (21 meters) out over the canyon.

Note: The North Rim is closed to visitors following the impact of the Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025. A reopening date is yet to be confirmed. \ The North Rim draws travelers seeking a less crowded Grand Canyon experience. While the area lacks the South Rim’s extensive infrastructure and attractions, scenic drives and hikes abound amid the high-altitude landscape of leafy forests, unspoiled nature, and big views. Plus, you may spot wildlife including mule deer and elk, or even the herd of bison that wanders its aspen-wrapped meadows.

At six stories tall and 82 feet wide (25 meters), the screen of the Grand Canyon IMAX is grand, perfect for a screening of Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets in the 487-person theater. The 34-minute show takes travelers into the canyon with historical commentary and incredible aerial views—a perfect introduction to the real thing.

Yavapai Point, perched near the entrance of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, offers unobstructed views of the canyon’s sweeping panoramas. The viewpoint overlooks Plateau Point, Bright Angel Canyon, and provides a rare view of the Colorado River far below. You can take in the scenery from the rocky point or the glass observation area inside the Yavapai Geology Museum.

The only park lodging below the rim of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch is a remote and rustic place to stay. Getting here is part of the charm: the ranch is only accessible by hiking, riding a mule, or floating down the Colorado River. Thanks to its unique location, the ranch is a highly desired lodging option at the Grand Canyon, so be sure to book well in advance.

Sweeping panoramic views of the Grand Canyon stretch in all directions from Guano Point, set near a historic guano mine in Grand Canyon West. Take in the vistas of the canyon and Colorado River, hike the scenic trail skirting the canyon rim, and spot the remains of the aerial tramway system that once transported miners across the canyon. Afterwards, relax at the Guano Point Cafe and pick up local crafts as souvenirs from the site’s gift shop.

Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail in Grand Canyon National Park and the gateway into the canyon for adventurers on foot or muleback. The route hugs the towering canyon wall from the rim to the Colorado River, and is known for sweeping views of the inner canyon and distant rock formations along the switchback route.

Designed by architect Mary Colter to resemble a traditional Hopi pueblo, Hopi House has been selling authentic Native American arts and crafts for over a century. Perched on the rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon Village, the architecture reflects that of a typical Hopi dwelling, with masonry walls in red sandstone; multi-level terraced roofs; corner fireplaces and wall niches; mud-plaster walls; and ceilings made of mud-coated saplings, grasses, and twigs resting on peeled log beams.

A deep and dramatic gorge in the Painted Desert that’s been cut by the Little Colorado River, one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado River, this natural landmark offers dramatic scenery reminiscent of its much larger neighbor, the Grand Canyon, without the crowds. Several overlooks allow for easy viewing.

These twin bridges—one built in 1929 and one in 1993—are one of only seven crossings spanning the Colorado River for 750 miles (1207 kilometers). Their graceful yet massive steel arches stretch across Marble Canyon, taking vehicular traffic on the modern bridge and pedestrian traffic on the historic bridge. Marvel at canyon views from above while crossing on foot or by car, plus stop to learn more about the history and construction of the bridges at the nearby Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center.

For Grand Canyon visitors who want to see this world wonder on a vertiginous scale, the South Kaibab Trail delivers. One of two trails that start from the rim and head down, the descent ends at Phantom Ranch, some 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) into the canyon—a 2,350-foot (715-meter) drop. And then there’s the climb back up.

Offering dazzling views of the Grand Canyon, scenic Hermit Road has nine designated overlooks along its 7-mile (11-kilometer) stretch. This road skirts the South Rim and is one of the most panoramic routes in Grand Canyon National Park. Though it’s closed to cars for most of the year, visitors can soak in the vistas on foot, by bike, or with a bus tour.

Hopi Point is one of the most popular viewpoints along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon—and for good reason. The highest point on Hermit Road, it also extends further north into the canyon, and offers the most expansive views, from east to west, of any viewpoint along the South Rim, along with a glimpse of the Colorado River far below.

Perched right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Kolb Studio was built by the Kolb brothers in 1906. Since then, the 5-story building has served as a photo studio and home, and more recently, as an art gallery, bookstore, and information center. The site hosts frequent exhibitions and offers panoramic canyon views.

Near the east entrance of the Grand Canyon, Lipan Point offers some of the most expansive canyon views, and the longest Colorado River views, on the South Rim. Ideal for sunrise, sunset, and stargazing, it also offers great views of the unique tilted rock strata of the Grand Canyon Supergroup.

Perched on a rocky peninsula on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Powell Point is a scenic vista point along Hermit Road. In addition to fantastic sunrise and sunset views, the overlook is home to the park’s largest monument, an ode to Major John Wesley Powell and his team’s early expeditions down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

With views stretching to the North Rim, bookended by Mather and Yaki points, Pipe Creek Vista is a premier overlook in Grand Canyon National Park. Take in the soaring Brahma Temple summit, sandstone O'Neill Butte, and picturesque Pipe Creek Canyon. Access the paved Canyon Rim Trail to walk west along the canyon’s rim to Mather Point or east to South Kaibab Trailhead.

Yaki Point is beloved by Grand Canyon visitors for two reasons: It offers a phenomenal panorama over the canyon, and it’s not accessible by car. In other words, it’s less busy than most of the overlooks along the South Rim and the park at large. The views are gorgeous from sunrise to sunset, and the free park shuttle will take you right there.

Perched 3000 feet (914 meters) above the Colorado River on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Toroweap Point reveals sweeping views far from the crowds that gather at more popular overlooks. The area’s sheer red rock cliffs and numerous trails reward those who make the trip with excellent hiking, photography, and picnicking opportunities.

For those emboldened travelers opting for the Grand Canyon’s less crowded—and more remote—North Rim, spots like Roosevelt Point prove why the “road less traveled” is worth it. Named after America’s 26th president, this overlook requires a quick 10-minute trek through woodlands to an open, red-rock view as long as it is spectacular. As Roosevelt said: “Leave it as it is.”

Best done as a drive since it’s 17 miles (27 kilometers) from State Route 67, Arizona’s Point Sublime offers views of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim that are hard to forget. The bumpy, off-road drive offers clusters of old-growth ponderosa pines, meadows, and wildflowers before you reach the canyon views. The scarcity of other people and vehicles is another wonder.