Grand Canyon Itinerary: How to Spend One Day at the Grand Canyon South Rim
With just one day at Grand Canyon National Park, you can squeeze in an adventurous hike, sweeping views, and a bucket-list sunset. This guide will help you plan the perfect itinerary at the South Rim!
One day at the Grand Canyon South Rim might not seem like enough, especially considering the bucket list Arizona park spans more than 1 million acres, and the canyon is 277 miles long. But, you can manage to fit in a lot of sightseeing and hiking with one day at Grand Canyon National Park, if you plan ahead.
Even a Grand Canyon South Rim day trip is better than nothing at all, and 24 hours at the Grand Canyon is enough time for a hike, photos at the scenic lookouts, a walk along the rim, and a memorable sunrise or sunset.
Whether you only have a weekend to explore or are passing through on an Arizona road trip, this Grand Canyon itinerary will help you pack a lot of action into a short amount of time. It starts at sunrise, but if you arrive later in the day, just start with the next activity on the list.
Read on for a what to see in Grand Canyon National Park in one day, with activities from dawn until dark. Scroll to the bottom for our tips for visiting the South Rim and the best places to stay nearby.
Grand Canyon South Rim Map
This map of the South Rim shows where the lookouts and trailheads on this one day Grand Canyon itinerary are located. You can click the top to open and save a Google Map to help with your planning.
Where to Stay Near the Grand Canyon South Rim
The closest place to stay near the Grand Canyon South Rim is in the park village at one of the hotels or campgrounds.
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One Day Grand Canyon South Rim Itinerary
Use this one day Grand Canyon itinerary to plan out the best things to do at the South Rim. I’ve included a few ideas for how to spend your day so that you can pick your favorite activities!
Watch the Sunrise at the Grand Canyon
Wake up while it’s still dark out to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon, which happens as early as 5:10 a.m. in June (check the times here). While you may be tempted to snooze the alarm clock and skip the cold morning air, sunrises are a lot less crowded than sunsets at the South Rim, so you’ll have a better chance at finding a quiet spot to watch the pink-hued sky.
Mather Point at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center has a stunning view east since it sticks out into the canyon. You’ll have plenty of company at this popular lookout, but you can walk along the Rim Trail until you find your own spot.
Consider leaving your car at the visitor center at this point and taking the free shuttle buses around the park for the rest of the day since the lots here typically fill up by mid-morning during summer and holiday weeks.
Grand Canyon National Park uses the Mountain Standard Time zone (MST) and does NOT spring forward for daylight savings time. This means that in summer, the sunrise is really early in the morning.
Bike or Hike at the Grand Canyon
With one day at Grand Canyon National Park, you can use a few hours for one of the best Grand Canyon trails below. If you start your hike early in the morning, you’ll see fewer people on the trail and it won’t be as hot out. Remember to carry water and snacks, especially when hiking down into the canyon where amenities are scarce to nonexistent.
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail runs for 12.8 miles one way along the edge of the canyon between Hermits Rest and the South Kaibab Trailhead. Parts of the trail are accessible, and shuttle buses run the entire length, so you can customize a hiking distance to suit your abilities and check out a few of the different viewpoints along the way.
The section around Grand Canyon Village and the visitor center can get busy, but towards the end on Hermit Road the crowds thin out.
Bright Angel Trail
Bright Angel is often combined with South Kaibab on long treks since both go to the canyon floor. This one covers 9.3 miles, but for a day hike, consider turning around at the rest houses at 1.5 or 3 miles.
The first is more than 1,000 feet down and the second 2,000 feet, so the climb back up is hefty. Water is sometimes available on this hike every 1.5 miles or so, and toilets are at the 1.5 and 4.5-mile stops.
South Kaibab Trail
This path goes all the way to the bottom of the canyon, but for a day hike in summer you’ll want to head back by the Cedar Ridge viewpoint. This makes for a 3-mile roundtrip hike.
Keep in mind that it can take twice as long to walk up as it did to go down. There are basic toilet facilities at Cedar Ridge but no water and little shade on this trail.
Hermit Road Greenway Trail
A section of the Rim Trail, the Hermit Road Greenway trail connects the final three lookout points at the west end of the park. It spans nearly 3 miles and is paved, accessible and multi-use for walkers and cyclers.
Bikers can also go down Hermit Road, but buses share the path from March through November and cars in winter. Bike rentals are available from a counter at the visitor center. Buses have racks for a couple of bikes, so you can catch a ride to and from the trails, or you can book shuttle transportation and tours with the rental company.
Read Next: This is How to Spend 2 Days at Grand Canyon National Park
Take a Scenic Drive
After a busy and physical morning, you’ll be ready to take it easy and stay out of the sun for a bit. Use the hottest time of day for a scenic drive at the Grand Canyon to explore some South Rim viewpoints.
What to see at the Grand Canyon in one day should include the 22-mile stretch of Desert View Drive. The route runs between the visitor center and the eastern park entrance and has a handful of quieter vistas and picnic spots that the park shuttles don’t go to, perfect for exploring by car. Along this route is the Tusayan Ruin, the site of Ancestral Puebloan remains and a free museum with ancient artifacts.
The final lookout before the exit is the 1931 Desert View Watchtower, where you can climb up to an observation deck to see the Colorado River running through the canyon.
Hop Around to Canyon Overlooks
Free shuttle bus routes along much of the South Rim allow you to hop on and off near some of the best lookouts. The Hermits Rest Route (red) runs from March through November to the west of Grand Canyon Village, with stops at nine scenic overlooks. Between December and February, you can drive the road instead.
The year-round Kaibab/Rim Route (orange) operates on the eastern end all the way to the Yaki Point overlook, with stops at Yavapai Point and the Yavapai Geology Museum. The Village Route (blue) is the best way to get around to all the hotels, restaurants and amenities in the park, but you can walk from some of those stops to the canyon edge, too. Buses run about every 10 to 15 minutes.
Read Next: These are the Best Bucket List Things To Do in Page, Arizona
Stroll the Trail of Time
If you haven’t taken time to walk along the rim yet, the late afternoon is a great time to do so. The Trail of Time section is easy to tackle, spanning about 1.5 miles of geology exhibits. Start at Yavapai Point and walk toward Verkamp’s Visitor Center.
Just past Verkamp is a handful of lodges and places to grab dinner before sunset. This is the perfect short and easy way to see a lot of views on a day trip to Grand Canyon National Park.
Watch the Sunset at the Grand Canyon
Every Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary should end with a picture-perfect sunset. The National Park Service recommends several points along Desert View Drive and Hermit Road for incredible sunset views.
Be sure to arrive at least an hour early to stake out a spot and watch the sky and canyon changing colors. Be mindful that the shuttle is busy leading up to sundown, so it might take a little longer to catch a ride.
If you plan to leave the park after twilight, the views from Lipan, Navajo and Desert View on the east end may be your best bet, as you’ll be able to park there and leave right after, without having to wait for the shuttle. Plus, the east-west vistas are incredible and the area might be less congested. If you opt for this route, combine it with the scenic Desert View Drive from earlier so you don’t have to backtrack.
Mather Point by the Visitor Center and Yavapai Point half a mile away also have parking but are a bit more crowded.
Along Hermit Road on the west end, Hopi Point is one of the most popular sunset spots. You’ll have to take the red line here, as cars cannot drive this road during the busy season (March-November). If Hopi is too crowded, walk west a mile to Mohave Point, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the river.
Along the trail between the two, you’ll likely find a peaceful place to sit, but the views at Hopi and Mohave are best for seeing all the sunset colors. Toward the end of the red line, Pima Point juts out into the canyon and is a little less crowded.
Attend a Nighttime Ranger Program
If you want to really stretch out your one day in Grand Canyon, you can join a ranger-led event in the evening. The agenda varies but includes things like night hikes, stargazing and presentations about nature and conservation.
Tips for Spending One Day at Grand Canyon National Park
Read through this mini Grand Canyon itinerary guide for tips on what to pack for the weather, how to save on admission, and the best airports near the Grand Canyon.
How to Get to the Grand Canyon South Rim
The major airports closest to the Grand Canyon South Rim are in Phoenix (230 miles) and Las Vegas (280 miles). There is also a smaller one in Flagstaff (90 miles). You can rent a car for a Arizona and Utah road trip to the Grand Canyon, but there are plenty of tour providers that will take you there as well.
How Many Days at the Grand Canyon South Rim
With just one day at the Grand Canyon South Rim, you can see several viewpoints and even hike into the canyon. Unless you want a super relaxed Grand Canyon vacation on the rim or an adventurous rafting trip down below, one to three days at the Grand Canyon is usually enough time for the highlights.
Grand Canyon Seasons and Weather
The Grand Canyon South Rim is open every day, with most amenities running year-round. A couple of shuttle routes stop for winter.
About 6 million people visited the Grand Canyon last year, and summer at the South Rim is easily the most popular. Be prepared for full parking lots, busy shuttles and crowded viewing platforms around the densest areas.
Leaving your car at the main visitor center and riding the free shuttle buses is the easiest way to avoid having to look for parking spots as you check out different viewpoints, but be advised that the parking lot often fills by mid-morning.
The weather is also very warm in summer, with temperatures often above 100 as you head into the canyon. The temperature increases as you dip down into the canyon by about 5 degrees every 1,000 feet.
If you’re looking for the best time to visit the Grand Canyon, fall and spring have far fewer crowds and milder weather perfect for hiking. High temps are typically in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s. Here’s what you need to know about trips to the Grand Canyon in spring.
What is at the Grand Canyon South Rim?
The Grand Canyon South Rim has three distinct sections. The Village, Market Plaza and Visitor Center are the hubbub of activity in the middle, where you’ll find hotels, restaurants and other amenities like a grocery store, post office, bank and gift shops.
The western section stretches from the village for seven miles toward Hermits Rest (a restroom and snack facility) and is full of scenic viewpoints. To the east, the 22-mile-long Desert View Drive has a handful of pullouts and viewpoints on the way to Desert View, where you’ll find a watchtower, campground, gas station, market and coffee shop.
Grand Canyon Tickets and Passes
Grand Canyon admission is $30 for a car and is good for 7 days. If you plan to visit other national parks in the area that also charge admission (like Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park), you might want to invest in the America the Beautiful pass, which gives you access to national parks and recreation sites for one year for $80.
This itinerary combines the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park
What to Pack for the Grand Canyon
What to pack and wear at the Grand Canyon varies greatly by season and what you plan to do. You’ll want to wear comfortable clothes that you can walk or hike in. For the hot summers, bring sunscreen and wear shorts and t-shirts.
In spring and fall, you’ll likely need long pants and long-sleeved tops with a jacket to layer in the morning and evening. Winter lows are well below freezing, so you’ll need appropriate cold-weather gear and heavy jackets. Hiking boots are best for trails into the canyon, but sneakers are fine for walking along the rim.
Water bottle | I love water bottles like this one that keep your water cold, even on hot summer days at the Grand Canyon.
Hiking shorts | Hiking shorts with a secured zippered pocket are perfect for summer hikes down into the canyon.
Hiking pants | These are my absolute favorite hiking pants for national parks. They are stylish and supportive and have tons of pockets for storing things.
