Every year, millions of people from all over the world visit the Grand Canyon.
Are you interested in traveling to see this incredible site? Do you want to get the most out of your adventure?
If you’re planning a day trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and want to make sure you don’t miss anything, keep reading.
Everything you need to know to have a great trip is listed down below.
WHERE TO VISIT
The Grand Canyon is enormous. If you’re only heading down for the day, you might not be able to take in the whole thing. So, you need to plan accordingly and figure out where you want to visit. The following are some of the most popular spots for tourists to consider:
- The South Rim: This is the most popular spot. In fact, about 90 percent of tourists check out the South Rim during their visit. This has to do, in part, with the fact that it tends to be warmer on this side. It’s also closer to Phoenix, so it’s ideal if you’re just making a day trip.
- The North Rim: The North Rim is closer to Las Vegas and tends to be colder. It’s closer to other national parks like Bryce Canyon and Zion, though.
- The West Rim: The West Rim is located closer to the Colorado River. It’s owned by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. It’s home of the Skywalk, Ziplines & white water rafting.
Here’s a quick video featuring the West Rim.
WHEN TO VISIT
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon isn’t seasonal, so you can visit it at any time.
If you plan to take a trip over to the North Rim, though, you’ll need to visit during the summer, as it’s closed in winter.
The most popular time to visit the Grand Canyon is in the summer — specifically over the July 4 holiday. If you want to avoid lots of crowds, visit at a different time.
WHAT TO DO
There are tons of activities to do when visiting the Grand Canyon. The following are some of the most popular options:
- Driving the rim
- Hiking
- Rafting
- Donkey rides
- Helicopter flights
There are also plenty of photography opportunities if taking nature photos is something that interests you.
WHAT TO SPEND
A day trip to the Grand Canyon won’t set you back too much. It costs $35 per vehicle (or $30 per motorcycle) to enter the park. That gives you a seven-day pass.
You can also buy an annual park pass for $70 if you plan on coming back more than once.
The park pass allows you to hike, take photos, and drive the rim. You’ll have to pay extra for other attractions like donkey rides, helicopter flights, or rafting.
WHERE TO STAY
Of course, if you’re taking a day trip from Phoenix, you won’t need to worry about finding accommodations. In the event that you fall in love with the park and want to stay longer, though, there are a few different options for you to choose from.
Phantom Ranch is the only lodging option available below the rim of the canyon inside the Grand Canyon National Park. It’s only available by mule, raft, or foot. If you don’t want to venture down there, you can also stay at the El Tovar Lodge (South Rim), the Grand Canyon Lodge (North Rim), or a slew of hotels available near the West Rim.
Outside of the park, there are some more budget-friendly options. You can see more lodging options here.
TAKE A DAY TRIP FROM PHONENIX & VISIT THE GRAND CANYON TODAY
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re getting ready to take a day trip from Phoenix over to the Grand Canyon.
If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to have a great trip without worrying that you’ve left any stones unturned.
Now that you know what to do, it’s time to start planning your day trip!