The Grand Canyon National Park is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Nature created this incredible wonder and a visit to the Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable experiences a traveler ever can hope to have.
Located in Northwestern Arizona near the borders of Utah and Nevada, the Grand Canyon is one of the first national parks in the United States and today considered one of the most popular national parks. No other destination has as many viewing options as the Grand Canyon National Park. Words or even pictures cannot fully describe or capture the beauty of this geographical wonder.
The Grand Canyon National Park which is located in Arizona is approximately 300 miles from Las Vegas. The 5 hour long drive is on mostly a two lane road. You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, but that's stretching it.
Overnight excursions are available. Tours can take as little as two hours by non-stop helicopter or as long as 14 hours by bus. Depending on traffic, driving time may take up to seven hours.
When visiting the Grand Canyon, visitors have three distinct areas to choose from. 1) The historic South Rim 2) The more remote North Rim 3) The West Rim, which is home to the Skywalk. Each rim feature numerous side canyons that's abundant with greenery, wildlife, waterfalls, and raging rapids.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is more remote but the views are its major attraction, along with fewer crowds. At over 8000 feet/2438 m. in elevation, The North Rim is high enough in elevation to be closed during the winter months by snow. Usually accessible from mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim offers visitors a campground, general store and camper facilities. It's also home to the Grand Canyon Lodge
If your time is limited and all you want to do is see a portion of the Canyon, then walk down Bright Angel Trail. This is an easy half mile round trip walk from the Grand Canyon Lodge.
If you plan to hike, a park ranger will be glad to help you choose from the many hiking trails. No Permits are necessary for day hiking
If you are driving, take a scenic drive to Cape Royal. On your way, stop for a picnic at Point Imperial. This is the highest vantage point in the park, then continue to Vista Encantadora, Roosevelt Point and Walhalla Overlook. Once you get to the end of the road, there is a 0.6 mile walk on a paved path to Cape Royal. 
Here you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. Click here for the North Rim trail map.
Grand Canyon North Rim Address for GPS
North Rim Visitor Center: 36°11'51"N 112°03'09"W
Considered the real canyon, the South Rim is the most scenic and most developed. Most people that visit the Grand Canyon, end up at the South Rim. Grand Canyon South Rim is approximately 278 miles (447 kilometers) from Las Vegas.
Also home to the Grand Canyon Village, the South Rim features the park's largest collection of services, such as bus service, hotels and lodges, restaurants, a general store, laundry and shower facilities, a bank with an ATM and an automotive service station.
Click here for the South Rim Village map
Walk to the canyon rim and Mather Point for your first look at Grand Canyon by following the signed pedestrian paths leading from the Visitor Center Area to the Rim Trail.
Visit Market Plaza - the business center where the general store, bank and US Post Office are located
Tour the Historic District, with it's railroad depot and original lodges.
Bright Angel Point is the most panoramic part of the Grand Canyon. Browse nearby shops and museums at Bright Angel Lodge, the Indian art museum and gift shop Hopi House, and all the activities at the Grand Canyon Historic Village district area.
Visit the South Rim's Visitor Center and it's bookstore (open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily). You might even opt for a walk to Yavapai Point, the widest part of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon South Rim Address for GPS
South Rim Visitor Center: 36°03'32"N 112°06'33"W
Note: Inner canyon temps average 20° warmer
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet).
The distance between the West Rim and the South Rim is 250 miles (400 km) by road. - (a five hour drive).
Mather Point is the deepest part of the Grand Canyon.
Bright Angel Point is the most panoramic part of the Grand Canyon.
Yavapai Point is the widest part of the Grand Canyon.
Tips
The best way to see the Grand Canyon is on foot
Bring a decent comfortable pair of walking shoes
Bring plenty of drinking water
No Permits are necessary for day hiking
Things you should know when planning your trip
Always check the weather for the day you plan to visit the Grand Canyon. With bad weather, it gets very foggy and that can affect your views of the Grand Canyon. These days, you can view a 10 day forecast online.
Remember to put aside an entire day for the trip. A trip to the South Rim is a good 10 hour both ways ride if you're going by bus, plus the time you will spend there.
If you can afford it, don't drive, take a helicopter instead. There's some great helicopter tours available.
The Canyon's striking beauty is both peaceful and humbling, and also offers abundant camping, hiking, rafting, touring and photography experiences for visitors. Below are other ways to see the Grand Canyon.
Hiking by Mule
Hiking the Canyon by mule is another popular option that's available at the South and North Rim. Day trips and overnights are available, but you must be at least 4ft 7inches tall, weigh less than 200lbs, speak fluent English and be in good physical shape.
White water rafting
Another more thrilling way to see the Grand Canyon up-close is by White water rafting down the Colorado River which cuts through the Canyon
Aircraft Tours
One exciting way to view the Grand Canyon in at day time is by helicopter
Jeep Tours
Do you know you can rent a bicycle at the South Rim Visitors Center
The area referred to the Grand Canyon West Rim is a site at the far western end of Grand Canyon chosen by the Hualapai tribe (pronounced, WALL-uh-pie), meaning "People of the Tall Pines". Food service at the West Rim is limited, and offered usually as part of a package tour.
The Skywalk at the West Rim is managed by the Hualapai Tribe and located on tribal lands. The Skywalk consists of a horseshoe-shaped steel frame with glass floor and sides that projects about 70 feet (21 m) from the canyon rim. (See picture on the right column)
Fees at the Grand Canyon West Rim
The Hualapai Tribe collects fees to enter any part of the reservation as certain parts of the reservation are restricted to the general public. All fees are subject to change at any time.
Your driving distance and time depends on what rim you are planning to visit.
Directions from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
There is a 4.5-hour drive from Las Vegas to the popular Grand Canyon South Rim. To get there from the Vegas strip, drive east on Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue to U.S. 515 South, which automatically turns into US Highway 93 South. Take Highway 93 south to I-40. Take I-40 east to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Note: The distance from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim 275 miles / 443 km. Drive time is approximately 4 hrs 30 mins
Directions from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim
The distance from Las Vegas strip to Grand Canyon West Rim is 120 miles or 3 hours driving time. To get there from the Vegas strip, drive east on Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue to U.S. 515 South, which automatically turns into US Highway 93 South.
Go southeast on US 93 heading to Kingman, Arizona. Take the Dolan Springs exit on to Pearce Ferry Road (26 miles) and turn at green Grand Canyon West exit sign (21 miles) on an unpaved road for the first 14 miles to the Hualapai reservation.
Tip: Always remember to check the weather.
Besides driving to the Grand Canyon, you also have the option of taking a bus tour, helicopter tour or airplane tour.
| From Las Vegas To | Drive Time | Miles | KM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 4.5 hours | 275 | 443 |
| Grand Canyon West Rim | 3 hours | 120 | 193 |
| Death Valley National Park | 2.25 hours | 141 | 227 |
| Hoover Dam | 45 mins. | 34 | 54.4 |
| Great Basin National Park | 4.75 hours | 297 | 478 |
| Zion National Park | 2.5 hours | 155 | 249 |
| Reno, NV | 7.25 hours | 448 | 721 |
| Laughlin | 1.5 hours | 97 | 156 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 4 hours | 270 | 435 |
| San Diego, CA | 5 hours | 332 | 534 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 5 hours | 295 | 475 |
| San Francisco | 9 hours | 570 | 917 |
Did you know...
If you can't afford a trip to the Grand Canyon, consider visiting the Red Rock Canyon. Some people liked it just as much as the Grand Canyon. It's only 35 min. from the Vegas Strip and $5 entrance fee per car. More details
| From Las Vegas To | Via | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon West Rim | Plane | 20 minutes |
| Grand Canyon West Rim | Helicopter | 45 minutes |
| Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) | Plane | 45 minutes |
