The Ultimate Grand Canyon Itinerary for 1, 2, and 3-day Adventures
Wondering how many days you’ll need for your Grand Canyon itinerary? With activities ranging from the active (hiking, biking, river rafting) to the educational (museums, cultural demonstrations), there is plenty to do at one of America’s most iconic national parks.
In this guide, we’ve laid out the best Grand Canyon itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 days. We prioritize the park’s top highlights on day 1, with additional sightseeing and activities on days 2 – 3 for those with more time in the region.
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Grand Canyon Itinerary: Day 1
Day #1 Morning – Go for a Hike
No trip to the Grand Canyon is complete without getting out on the trail, even for just a short stroll.
We recommend prioritizing a hike as your first activity. Besides beating the day’s heat, there’s no better “welcome to the Grand Canyon” than the stunning panoramic views you’ll experience.
Below are a few of our favorite hikes, of varying distance:
- South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles roundtrip) or Cedar Ridge (3.1 miles roundtrip) | trailhead directions
*Note: no parking available at trailhead. Take the free “orange line” shuttle from the visitor center - Bright Angel Trail to 1.5 Mile Resthouse (3 miles roundtrip) or 3 Mile Resthouse (6 miles roundtrip) | trailhead directions
- Yavapai Point (1.7 miles roundtrip) | trailhead directions
Park rangers also offer guided hikes – you can see the upcoming schedule here. For a more detailed summary, check out our guide to the top 10 Grand Canyon hikes.
Day #1 Afternoon – Cruise the South Rim’s Desert View Scenic Drive
While there are multiple scenic drives along the canyon rim, in our experience Desert View provides one of the best overviews of the park.
Desert View Drive starts at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and extends 23 miles to the park’s east entrance. You’ll want to allow a few hours to make the roundtrip drive, as the road passes all of the South Rim’s most famous landmarks and viewpoints.
From the visitor center, walk out to Mather Point, one of the most famous overlooks in the park. After snapping some photos, start your drive east along Desert View. About 2 miles down the road, you’ll arrive at Yaki Point, another popular viewpoint.
Another 7 miles will bring you to Grandview Point, which provides a good view of Krishna Shrine and Vishnu Temple, two of the region’s more famous rock plateaus.
Continue another 4 miles east to Moran Point, then 3 miles to Tusayan Ruin and Museum, a monument to an ancestral Pueblo village that once sat on this spot.
Another mile east of Tusayan is Lipan Point, which offers a first-rate view of the Colorado River snaking through the canyon gorge. Less than a mile beyond is Navajo Point, the highest elevation along the South Rim.
Finally, you’ll come to Desert View Watchtower, just before the park’s east entrance. Built in the 1930s to resemble an ancient Pueblo tower, you can climb to the top for unrivaled views. Additionally, Desert View has frequent cultural demonstrations by the ancestral tribes of the Grand Canyon, with artisans crafting everything from pottery to silver, using traditional methods (you can view the monthly calendar here).
There is also a market and deli here, along with a picnic area. It’s a great spot to grab a snack or cool drink and enjoy the mesmerizing panoramas surrounding the Watchtower. The on-site gift store also sells Native American handicrafts, along with standard tourist souvenirs.
Once you’re ready to depart, it’s 23 miles west, back the way you came, to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
Day #1 Evening – Sunset at Yavapai Point
As the day begins to cool and evening sets in, you’ll want to experience sunset over the Grand Canyon. The angle of the sun’s rays illuminates the warm tones of the cliffs and plateaus in sublime views, beyond anything you’ve seen so far during regular daylight hours.
Our favorite spot to catch the sunset in the Grand Canyon is at Yavapai Point (directions). It’s an easy, 0.9-mile walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, along the paved Rim Trail. If you don’t already have snacks and drinks, you can pick some up at the visitor center. And don’t forget a towel or blanket in your car, if you have one!
You’ll want to get to Yavapai early (we recommend an hour before sunset) to grab a good spot.
As the sun sets slowly behind the plateaus, the dazzling display is the perfect end to your first day at the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Itinerary: Day 2
Day #2 Morning – Catch a Ride via Bike, Raft, or Mule
For those with additional time in the park, your second morning is a great opportunity to see the canyon via different means.
For variety, we recommend either renting bikes, or booking an excursion via river raft or mule – both of which are iconic Grand Canyon activities.
However, if you prefer to use this time to explore a different hiking trail than yesterday, that’s a good option too.
Bike Rentals
There are nearly 13 miles of roads and trails to explore around the South Rim. Both traditional and e-bikes are permitted, on both paved and unpaved roads. You can either bring your own bikes, or rent from Bike Grand Canyon at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. They provide guided tours as well, for those inclined.
River Rafting
Rafting the Colorado River is always a popular adventure, with the cool waters tempting a respite from the desert heat.
Most single-day outings launch from Lees Ferry, which is still within the Grand Canyon but approximately a 2-hour drive from the main visitor center. However, it’s a fascinating adventure, passing through the famous Horseshoe Bend. You’ll also be able to view ancient petroglyphs carved into the canyon walls, sometime between 3,000 – 6,000 years ago.
You can learn more about Grand Canyon rafting options here, and also read our guide to Horseshoe Bend and Marble Canyon (the same route as river rafting) here.
Mule Rides
Mules have been ferrying visitors and supplies throughout the Grand Canyon for nearly 150 years, and by now are a well-known symbol of the park.
Mule rides are offered year-round along the South Rim via Xanterra, and a 2-hour outing is a perfect morning outing. This traditional form of travel makes a unique experience, as the sure-footed mules confidently pick their way down the canyon walls.
Day #2 Afternoon – Learn Something New at the South Rim Visitor Center
Depending on which activity you chose for the morning, you’ll have a few hours of downtime to kill during the heat of the day. We recommend returning to the Visitor Center, where you can unwind in the air conditioning and cool off with ice cream or a cold drink.
The Visitor Center has multiple exhibits, movies, and other activities to fill your time, and it’s worthwhile to learn a bit more about the park’s history and spectacular surroundings.
A few of our favorites:
- “We Are Grand Canyon”: played at the top of every hour, this uplifting film highlights the 11 tribal communities who have called the park home for millennia. Admission is free, and runs 24 minutes.
- Canyon Connections: this 30-minute ranger talk, held every afternoon at 3 p.m. changes daily. Topics range from the canyon’s geological history, diverse ecosystems, to the history of the Native American tribes who call the region home.
You can view the full calendar of programs here.
Day #2 Evening – Attend Astronomy Night
Did you know the Grand Canyon has one of the darkest night skies in the U.S.? This makes for exceptional nighttime viewing of stars, planets, galaxies, and more.
Most evenings (including off-season weekends), rangers and astronomers host “Astronomy Night” behind the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Beyond a nightly expert-led talk on constellations, telescopes are set up to view the distant celestial patterns for yourself.
The exact timing of Astronomy Night changes with the seasons. You can find the upcoming calendar here.
(If you’re looking to enjoy a nicer, sit-down dinner, this is a good night to visit the historic El Tovar Hotel. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.)
Grand Canyon Itinerary: Day 3
Day #3 Morning and Afternoon – Day trip to North Rim, West Rim (Skywalk) or Horseshoe Bend
If your Grand Canyon itinerary extends to three days, today is a great opportunity to see a different side of the region.
The canyon itself is nearly 280 miles long, extending well beyond the populated South Rim hub. Having three days affords the luxury of exploring some of the more far-reaching corners of this geologic marvel.
A few of our top recommended day trips include:
North Rim (open May 15 – Oct. 15)
90% of park visitors head for the amenities of the South Rim, leaving just 10% to savor the wilds of the North Rim. Here, the land feels untouched, permitting you to witness it as it’s been unchanged for centuries.
Enjoy a drive along Cape Royal Road out to Point Imperial, the highest elevation on either side of the canyon. Here, views stretch to the Vermilion Cliffs, all the way up by the Utah border.
If you’re in the mood for a hike, two of the most popular trails include the fairly flat Transept Trail (3.7 miles roundtrip, starting from the North Rim Visitor Center) or Cliff Springs Trail (1 mile roundtrip), off Cape Royal Road (trailhead directions).
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed spots in the region. Here, the Colorado River snakes around a sharp horseshoe-shaped curve in the rocks, 1,000 feet below the observation ridge.
It’s an iconic image, and while it’s certainly become even more popular in the social media age, the ridge’s expanse is able to handle any crowds better than other attractions.
While still technically part of the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is a 2+ hour drive from the South Rim Visitor Center. The small town of Page, nearby, is a great spot for lunch either before or after Horseshoe Bend. Sunset 89 is one of our favorites, with Pacific Rim-inspired bites overlooking the Colorado River.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
Along the canyon’s western reaches is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-bottomed promontory that juts out in a horseshoe over the Colorado River, rushing 3,600 feet below. It’s a thrilling view, for those who don’t have a fear of heights!
The Skywalk sits on the neighboring Hualapai Reservation. You can get tickets here.
Day #3 Evening – Take In a Last Sunset at Hopi Point
Once you’ve returned from your day trip, it’s fitting to conclude your Grand Canyon itinerary full circle, with one last, savored sunset.
We recommend Hopi Point for some variety from day #1. With prime western-facing views, Hopi provides a dramatic end to the day and your time at the Grand Canyon.
Have more time to explore the Grand Canyon? Check out our guides to the best things to do, the top South Rim hikes, and paddleboarding and kayaking Horseshoe Bend.
Featured image: prehistoric granaries in Marble Canyon, image courtesy NPS.
