Named one of the “7 Natural Wonders of the World,” the mile-deep Grand Canyon houses some of the most beautiful rock formations and is a sight that every American should have on their travel list. The Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding attractions are great for family, friends, couples or anyone looking for a jaw-dropping adventure. If you’re courageous, you might find yourself on a helicopter, soaring below the rim of the canyon. Click here to see if the Grand Canyon helicopter tour was worth it! Keep reading for a few things to do in the Grand Canyon Natural Park if you only have a half of a day to explore.
My Half-Day Itinerary
Stop 1 – Grand Canyon Visitor Center:
As you enter the National Park, there are parking lots nearby the Visitor’s Center. Consider arriving early and leaving your car here for the remainder of the day as the lots are usually full by mid-morning. Then, start the day by taking a look inside the visitor’s center, asking a ranger a few questions about the trails and conditions, or even watching the free movie about the Grand Canyon. Use the restrooms here and get ready for an active day!
Stop 2 – Mather Point:
After parking your car, follow the signs for a short 5-minute walk to Mather Point. This is one of the most popular viewpoints of the canyon with a consistent stream of tourists throughout the day. If you want to avoid the large crowds, walk along the Rim Trail until you find your own spot to few the canyon.
Stop 3 – South Rim Trail to Yavapai Point:
Continue along the Rim Trail for 0.7 miles toward the Yavapai Point & Geology Museum. Here you will find another great lookout point and other interesting information. This is a great spot to catch a few moments of shade indoors and learn more about the natural wonder. The Rim Trail actually runs for 12.8 miles along the edge of the canyon but this beginner 0.7-mile flat walk is just enough to see the main parts. If time permits you can check out other viewpoints along the trail by shuttle bus.
Stop 3 – South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point
Next, take the orange bus from Yavapai a couple stops to the South Kaibab trailhead. This is a popular hike for people who are looking for a moderate trip below the rim of the canyon. The 1.8-mile round-trip hike from Ooh Ahh Point is quite steep, but the gorgeous views are well worth the mildly strenuous hike. Stopping along the way to take pictures at the extraordinary vistas, made the 1-hour hike go by fast. On a sunny day, there are limited amounts of shade, so be sure to bring lots of water and snacks.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can head past Ooh Point to Cedar Ridge (additional 1.2 miles roundtrip), where you can travel even farther into the canyon and see more amazing views. Keep in mind that there is an elevation change of more than 1,100 feet to these points, so drink water consistently and adhere to your body. We did not take this extra hike and were still very happy with the views we saw at Ooh Aah Point.
Stop 4 – Yaki Point
After the South Kaibab hike, you can take the orange shuttle bus back to your parked car at the Visitor’s Center. If you have more energy in you, hop off the bus at Yaki Point to snap a quick picture at another great viewpoint. Honestly, all the viewpoints started to blur together for me, so it’s totally fine to also skip this stop.
Stop 5 – Desert View Watchtower
After a busy and active day, you will be happy to sit back and relax in the car for a scenic view along with the 22-mile Desert View Drive. There are many vistas, picnic spots, and museums that are easy to explore by car. It’s also great to cruise in the car while escaping the heat (or cold for us).
The last stop is the Desert View Watchtower, where you can climb 85 steps to an observation deck to see the Colorado River running through the canyon. It closes before dusk, so be sure to allow enough time to see this awesome view.
Comment with other suggestions for the Grand Canyon National Park!
