How to Plan a 3 Days at Grand Canyon National Park Itinerary
This 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary includes the best hikes, viewpoints and adventures along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and beyond.
Hiking down into the canyon, riding bikes along the rim, hopping between lookouts to find the best sunset views — it’s all in the plan with this Grand Canyon itinerary for 3 days.
While you can see quite a bit of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park South Rim in one or two days, a Grand Canyon 3 day itinerary really starts to open up more options. My suggested plan below sticks to the South Rim and incorporates more time for hiking and relaxed sightseeing that will get you to just about every viewpoint.
I’ve taken a few trips to the Grand Canyon over the years, and the options below are some of my favorite things to do and to recommend to first-timers. I’ve also added alternate itinerary options at the bottom that mix in more adventures or family-friendly activities that will take you beyond the South Rim for part of the time.
Whether you’re hoping to soak up the scenery with relaxed strolls and sunset dinners or craving adventurous treks from rim to rim, this 3 days Grand Canyon vacation guide has you covered. Scroll to the end for tips on where to stay, when to go, and what to pack!
Ultimate Grand Canyon Itinerary 3 Days
Use this map to help plan your 3 days at the Grand Canyon trip. I’ve pinned all the locations on this Grand Canyon guide and color-coded the suggested daily itinerary. Click to open a Google map that you can save to your own account to use on your trip.
Day 1 — Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Hermit Road
Your first of three days at the Grand Canyon is the perfect time to get acquainted with all the viewpoints along the rim, starting with a brief orientation at the Visitor Center.
If you have a full day, you can devote the morning hours to the first few lookouts below and the Trail of Time, but be sure to save a full afternoon to hop along the Hermit Road route to some breathtaking views of the Colorado River cutting through the canyon.
You can keep the adventure low by riding the shuttle between most of the lookouts or walk between them for easy hiking along several miles of the rim.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the easiest access point to the South Rim, with the largest parking area, maps and guides, and a beautiful lookout point about a 5 minute walk away.
The complex has a gift shop, bike rental counter, cafe, educational exhibits and a 20-minute intro park movie. It also serves as a transit hub, with shuttles to Grand Canyon Village as well as overlooks and trailheads.
I recommend stopping in at the visitor center when you first arrive for your 3 days at the Grand Canyon to grab maps, familiarize yourself with the shuttle routes, and check out any special programming or announcements during your stay.
Mather Point
A short walk from the Visitor Center, Mather Point is most people’s first glimpse at the Grand Canyon, and it’s an epic one — wide sweeping views in both directions from a natural ledge that juts into the gorge.
It can get a bit crowded at the ledge, especially around sunrise and sunset, but the views along the rim in this area are also pretty spectacular and there are a few benches to sit on and soak in the scenery. If it’s too crowded at Mather Point, you can always walk a little ways along the rim until the crowds clear.
Yavapai Point
Walk west along the rim from the Mather lookout for a little over half a mile and you’ll arrive at Yavapai Point. Similar to Mather Point, Yavapai has wide-open views in both directions and makes the perfect sunrise and sunset destination.
I recommend visiting here at least once during your 3 days at the Grand Canyon.
Yavapai Geology Museum
Pop into the Yavapai Geology Museum for educational exhibits and ranger programs. The small stone building is perched on the rim of the canyon with picture windows and displays below them explaining the rock layers.
There is also a souvenir and bookshop inside.
Trail of Time
One of the easiest and most accessible paths at the Grand Canyon, the Trail of Time is a 1.3-mile paved walk between the Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Village. Each meter along the way has a marker representing a million years of Grand Canyon history, and you’ll go backward in time starting from Yavapai. Geological plaques and exhibits on the route show the eras of canyon development.
The Trail of Time is a great introduction at the beginning of your 3 days at the Grand Canyon and also one of the easiest walking paths with a beautiful view.
Hermit Road Overlooks and Rim Trail
From Grand Canyon Village, you can continue to follow the Rim Trail all the way to the westernmost point of the South Rim at Hermits Rest. Or, you can ride a shuttle or bike the route. Private cars can only drive on the road in December, January and February.
On the outbound western route, the Hermit Road shuttle (red road) stops at all nine official viewpoints along the 7.8-mile path — Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point and Hermits Rest. The inbound east shuttle only stops at Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave and Powell, though, so it’s best to hop on and off on the outbound bus.
If you only want to walk parts of the trail, the first five viewpoints have shorter distances between them, but the final three are the smoothest walk along the paved and accessible Hermit Road Greenway Trail. The initial climb up to Trailview Overlook is one of the toughest sections to walk.
On a 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary, I recommend taking some time to walk the rim along Hermit Road. Since most people just ride the shuttle, the spots between official lookouts are nice and quiet for enjoying the scenery.
Hermits Rest
Located at the end of Hermit Road, Hermits Rest is a 1914 stone building by Grand Canyon architect Mary Colter, designed to look like a miner’s cabin. Inside, a giant fireplace fills the back wall and a small shop sells gifts and refreshments (drinks, candy, snacks and basic sandwiches).
There are also pit toilets, a water refill station, and picnic tables a short walk from the building.
Sunset Along Hermit Road
If you do the Hermit Road path in the afternoon, stick around to watch the sunset from Pima, Mohave, Hopi or Powell Point. These lookouts jut into the canyon with views to the east and west, so you can watch the sky and canyon change colors as the sun dips below the horizon.
Hopi is very popular at sunset and can get a bit crowded, but if you walk along the rim away from the main viewing area, you’ll find your own little spot.
The inbound shuttle picks up from each of these points except Hopi, but it’s just 0.3 miles to the stop at Powell Point.
Check the sunset times for the month you’re visiting, and keep in mind that shuttles are crowded around this time, so you’ll want to head to your chosen lookout point an hour-plus in advance so you don’t miss the changing colors leading up to sunset.
Day 2 — Hike into the Grand Canyon
If you are even a little adventurous, a hike into the Grand Canyon is a one-of-kind experience that offers an up-close look at the soaring walls and layers of rock. There are four trails on the South Rim that drop into the canyon, with two leading all the way down to the Colorado River (it is not advisable to do this as a day hike).
Since all the trails are out and back, you can spend as much of the day hiking as you wish on one trail, or do a shorter version of two trails over the next two mornings. You will not be able to do all four trails listed below on the same day; we’ve only included them as options.
If you’re hiking twice, we recommend Bright Angel on this day combined with a visit to Grand Canyon Village at the trailhead after and South Kaibab with a road trip down Desert View Drive the next day.
Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular route into the canyon and starts near the village. It runs for 9.3 miles to the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, but the National Park Service recommends day hikers attempt no more than the first 6 miles of this steep path.
Common turn-around points include the 1.5 Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip), the 3 Mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip) and Indian Garden (9 miles round trip). All three destinations have seasonal water and the first and last have toilets.
The challenging trail is full of steep switchbacks but even just walking the first half mile or so will lead you to a rock tunnel and cool views looking up at Grand Canyon Village on the rim.
Remember, the return trip back up the canyon is the hardest part and you should allow twice as long to make the hike as it took to come down.
Hermit Trail
Heading down the canyon from Hermits Rest at the far western end of the park, the Hermit Trail has a couple of destination options — Santa Maria Spring (5 miles round trip) or Dripping Springs (7 miles round trip), a hanging garden.
This trail is more challenging and rocky than Bright Angel and South Kaibab, so it is only recommended for experienced hikers. Remember that it typically takes longer and is much more difficult to climb out of the Grand Canyon than it is to descend, so plan accordingly and be careful!
South Kaibab Trail
The trailhead for South Kaibab is east of the Visitor Center off of Desert View Drive, and you’ll need to take a shuttle to get there. The trail run 6.8 miles to the canyon floor on a steep path with little shade.
Day hikers can aim for Ooh-Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip) for the first open views into the canyon, Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip) for a big plateau to rest on with toilets, or Skeleton Point (6 miles round trip) for the first views of the river below.
No water is available along the trail, so you’ll need to bring enough to last the whole hike.
Grandview Trail
This unmaintained and very steep trail is not recommended for your first trip to the Grand Canyon and only experienced desert hikers should attempt it. The path starts from Grandview Point, about 12 miles east of the Visitor Center along Desert View Drive.
Some day hike destinations on the path include Coconino Saddle (2.2 miles round trip) and Horseshoe Mesa (6 miles round trip), where you can camp with a permit.
Grand Canyon Historic Village
After a long hiking day, the late afternoon is the perfect time to casually check out the Grand Canyon Historic Village, which is located near the Bright Angel trailhead.
Historic hotels built between 1905 and the 1960s line the rim in the village, with a few eateries and shops between them. You can also pop into the Lookout Studio and Kolb Studio for viewing decks on the edge of the canyon, the Hopi House for Native American art and gifts, and the Verkamp’s Visitor Center for a bookshop and museum.
Day 3 — Rim Trail and Desert View Drive
On day 3 at the Grand Canyon, you can either tackle another trail below the rim if you’re looking for adventure or walk one of the easier sections of the Rim Trail to discover even more stunning views. Be sure to save at least two or three hours for Desert View Drive, though. The 20-mile route from the Visitor Center to the east entrance/exit of the park is one of the least crowded sections of the South Rim and full of lookouts where you can see the Colorado River.
Sunrise at Mather Point
If you spend three days at the Grand Canyon, you should make a point to wake up early to catch the sunset at least once. The Hermit Road and Kaibab Rim shuttles both start running at 4:30 a.m. for early hikers and sunrise watchers, but the easiest spot to catch the sky lighting up is from Mather Point by the Visitor Center.
It does get a bit crowded at the lookout, but you can easily stroll away from the crowds toward Yavapai Point to find a quiet little spot to watch the sun come up.
Rim Trail
Depending on how sore you are from hiking into the canyon, today you can tackle either another of the trails listed on day 2 or a portion of the mostly flat and easy Rim Trail.
The Rim Trail runs for about 13 miles between the South Kaibab trailhead to the east and Hermits Rest to the west. If you’ve already visited the viewpoints along Hermit Road, and walked the Trail of Time, today is the perfect time to head east from Mather Point and hike 2.2 miles to the South Kaibab Trailhead, stopping for the views from Pipe Creek Vista along the way.
While the Rim Trail ends at South Kaibab, there is one more lookout along Yaki Point Road, which is closed to private vehicles. Hop on the Orange route from South Kaibab to get to Yaki Point. The same shuttle will take you all the way back to the Visitor Center if you don’t want to walk back along the rim.
Bike the Greenway Trail
Alternatively, you could rent bikes today from Bright Angel Bicycles located in the Visitor Center complex to explore some of the park on two wheels (traditional and pedal-assist bikes are available). Popular cycling routes include the Greenway Trail east from Mather Point to Yaki Point and the Hermit Road and Greenway Trail route to the west, which includes some roadway shared with shuttles and paved trail shared with hikers.
Shuttles have bike racks, so you can plan a path that incorporates a drop-off or return if you don’t want to bike all the way to your destination and back.
Desert View Drive
Desert View Drive is one of the most scenic and least crowded sections of the park, and we’ve only saved it for last because it heads east out of the park, which might wrap up your visit if you’re on a Grand Canyon road trip. If you’re arriving at the East Entrance Station, this activity can start your itinerary instead.
Spanning a little over 20 miles from the South Entrance Road to the East Entrance Station, Desert View Drive has half a dozen official lookouts and a handful of other scenic stops. Most of the viewpoints on this route have clear vistas of the Colorado River cutting its turquoise pattern through the soaring canyon walls.
Along the way, you’ll also want to pull over for the Tusayan Ruin, a former Ancestral Puebloan village, and the Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot-tall stone observation building designed by Mary Colter. The surrounding complex has a campground, gas station, market and ice cream shop.
Grand Canyon 3 Day Itinerary Options
Below we’ve put together a few different 3 day Grand Canyon itineraries so that you can pick the one that fits you best.
Adventurous Grand Canyon in 3 Days Hiking Trip
Day 1
Take the Trans-Canyon Shuttle from the South Rim to the North Rim (arrive midday or the evening before)
Visit the North Rim viewpoints — Bright Angel, Point Imperial and Cape Royal
Spend the night at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge or campground
Day 2
Hike the North Kaibab Trail to the Bright Angel Campground on the canyon floor (14 miles)
Spend the night at Phantom Ranch (advanced reservations necessary)
Day 3
Hike up Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim (9.5 miles)
Check out the South Rim viewpoints for sunset
Kid-Friendly 3 Day Grand Canyon Trip
Day 1
See the view from Mather Point and Yavapai Point
Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum
Walk the Trail of Time to Grand Canyon Historic Village
Get an ice cream from Bright Angel Fountain
Stay overnight in a Grand Canyon Village hotel or campground
Day 2
Rent bikes or ride the shuttle down Hermit Road
Walk or bike the Hermit Road Greenway Trail (stroller friendly)
Have a picnic at Hermit’s Rest
Ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams if you spent the night
Day 3
Drive to the park
Hike part of the Bright Angel Trail
Road trip down Desert View Drive
Visit the Tusayan Ruin
Climb the Desert View Watchtower
North and South Rim Grand Canyon 3 Day Road Trip
Day 1
Hike the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon in the morning
Walk along the rim in Grand Canyon Historic Village
Ride, bike or hike to the Hermit Road viewpoints
Spend the night in the Village or Tusayan
Day 2
Sunrise at Mather Point or Yavapai Point
Follow Desert View Drive and stop at the viewpoints
Visit the Tusayan Ruin and Desert View Watchtower
Exit the park from the east and drive toward the North Rim
Spend the night at the Jacob Lake Inn or Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge
Day 3
Hike the North Kaibab Trail into the canyon
Drive to Point Imperial and Cape Royal, stopping at viewpoints
Watch the sunset from Bright Angel Point or the Transept Trail viewpoints
Spend the night at the Jacob Lake Inn or Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge
This 4-day itinerary combines the Grand Canyon North Rim and Zion National Park.
Tips for 3 Days in Grand Canyon National Park
This Grand Canyon National Park planning guide has tips for where to stay, what to pack, and how to get tickets for the Grand Canyon.
Where to Stay at Grand Canyon National Park
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Outside the park, Tusayan is less than 2 miles away from the entrance and typically runs a free shuttle into the park.
Other towns near the Grand Canyon include Valle (30 miles south), Williams (60 miles south), Flagstaff (80 miles south), and Cameron (35 miles east of the east entrance).
Search for Grand Canyon hotel deals near the South Rim on Booking.com
When to Visit the Grand Canyon
While the Grand Canyon North Rim is only open May 15 to October 15, the South Rim stays open all year, with many amenities fully operational. Some shuttle routes don’t run in winter, but you can drive private cars in those areas between December and February instead.
Fall and spring at the Grand Canyon are the best times to visit for mild weather ideal for hiking and fewer crowds than the busy summer months. Summers can be quite hot and crowded at one of the busiest national parks in the country, with temps above 100 as you hike into the canyon.
How Long to Spend at the Grand Canyon
If you’re only visiting the South Rim, three days at Grand Canyon National Park is plenty of time, though you can see several viewpoints and hike into the canyon with even just one or two. Three days allows enough time for a couple of hikes, longer hikes into the canyon or along the rim, or time to see the North Rim too if you’re visiting between May and October.
Here’s how to spend 2 days at the Grand Canyon!
How to Get to the Grand Canyon
Most travelers to the Grand Canyon fly into Phoenix (230 miles away) or Las Vegas (280 miles). There’s a smaller airport in Flagstaff, too (90 miles). There are guided tours you can book to the rim, but I highly recommend renting a car and road tripping Arizona for maximum flexibility.
Grand Canyon Tickets and Passes
There are entrance fees for the Grand Canyon South and North Rim. Admission includes 7 days and both rims of the park (check current prices). You can pay at the South Entrance Station, East Entrance Station, and North Entrance Station.
If you plan to visit other national parks nearby, it’s typically a much better deal to purchase the America the Beautiful pass, which includes a year of admission to all National Park Service managed sites. If you purchase it online, you’ll pay extra for shipping and handling. Most national parks sell it at the entrance stations.
What to Pack for the Grand Canyon
What to pack for Grand Canyon National Park depends on when you plan to visit and what you want to do. Even if you won’t be hiking, wear comfortable shoes and clothes for strolling along the rim. Check out our Grand Canyon packing list for everything you may need.
Summers are very hot, so think lightweight shorts and t-shirts or sleeveless tops, especially if you hike into the canyon where temperatures increase as you drop lower. Evenings on the rim can be cool and windy even in summer, so light layers are useful.
For early spring and late fall, long pants and long sleeve tops will be appropriate most days, with a jacket for the evening and morning. When it’s windy on the rim, it can feel a lot colder than you’d expect!
Winter temps fall below freezing, so warm clothing and boots are necessary. If you’re hiking icy trails, you may also need crampons for your shoes. Check with the Grand Canyon backcountry office for advice on specific trails.
For hiking, you’ll want sturdy shoes with good traction or hiking boots if you plan to go a few miles into the canyon. Fill your daypack with water bottles or a hydration system, salty snacks, a shady hat, sunscreen, and a bandana to block the dust.
