Suggested Itineraries

The itineraries below list some captivating activities for your visit. These same activities are described in detail later in the book. And remember, the rims are 210 highway miles apart.

If You Have 1 or 2 Days

On the South Rim -- After stopping at the visitor center, hike a short distance down the Bright Angel Trail in the morning. (If the weather is hot or if your condition is not top-notch, walk a portion of the greenway between Grand Canyon Village and Mather Point.) During midday, attend a Ranger presentation, for which times and locations are posted at the visitor centers. Later in the day, take the Hermits Rest Route shuttle along Hermit Road. From any of the stops on the drive, you can walk a short distance along the Rim Trail to quiet spots where you can savor the canyon. If possible, watch the sunset from Hopi Point.

The next morning, get an early start and watch the sunrise from Desert View on the South Rim. (Be sure to go up into The Watchtower.) On your way back to Grand Canyon Village, stop at the viewpoints along Desert View Drive. Most of these viewpoints are open to cars year-round and have expansive views of the central and northeastern canyon. Upon returning to Grand Canyon Village, take a walking tour of the historic buildings. Relax over an iced tea on the veranda of the lounge at the El Tovar Hotel.

On the North Rim -- In the morning after checking in at the visitor center, hike down the top of the North Kaibab trail. A less-strenuous option is the short walk from Grand Canyon Lodge to Bright Angel Point. In the afternoon, drive down the Cape Royal Road. After returning to Grand Canyon Lodge, buy a cold beverage at the saloon, then sip it while sitting on the lodge's enormous, canyon-facing deck. After sunset on calm evenings, warm yourself by the fireplace on the deck of Grand Canyon Lodge.

If you're an early riser, head to Point Imperial (the highest point in the Grand Canyon) before dawn the next day to watch the sun rise. Or, consider going to Cape Royal -- which affords brilliant views of the Canyon's colors -- if you don't want the sun in your eyes. Then take a walk on one of the rim trails -- the Transept Trail, the Uncle Jim Trail (to Uncle Jim Point), or, my favorite, the Widforss Trail (to Widforss Point).

If You Have 3 or 4 Days

With 3 or 4 days at the canyon, 3-day hikes may be in order.

On the South Rim -- Choose from the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, Grandview, Hermit, and Rim trails.

On the North Rim -- Try the North Kaibab Trail and two rim trails. There are fewer diversions on the North Rim, so be prepared for deep relaxation on the third and fourth days.

On Both Rims -- Consider riding a mule into the canyon, accompanying a Ranger on a guided walk, or sitting and reading on the porch of one of the canyon's lodges.