Grand Canyon National Park is divided into two regions: the North Rim and the South Rim. Both areas are worth visiting, but the South Rim offers a greater variety of hiking trails and scenic viewpoints. If you’re planning a one-day trip, we recommend exploring the South Rim.

Entrance fees are $20 per person or $35 per vehicle and can be purchased at one of the park's four entrances. The most popular entrance is the South Entrance Station. We recommend starting there and then going to the South Rim Visitor Center for parking and maps.

To make the most of your day at the park, arrive extra early (before sunrise). After sunrise, the park entrances become extremely busy, and visitors often have to wait more than two hours to enter.

Sunrise at the Grand Canyon deserves a spot on every bucket list, and our favorite place to catch first light is Mather Point. It boasts some of the best views in the park, and on a clear day, you can see more than 30 miles to the east and 60 miles to the west. As the sun rises, the canyon cliffs turn fiery orange and soft pink while shadows dance across the canyon depths. It’s an incredible experience and always worth the early start.

To get to Mather Point, park at the South Rim Visitor Center and follow signs for half a mile until you reach the viewpoint. Depending on availability and seasonal scheduling, you can also take the free Rim Route shuttle bus directly to the viewpoint.

When you go, plan to dress in layers and arrive extra early. This viewpoint can be windy, and the overlook tends to fill quickly, especially during the summer.

Bright Angel Trail is a popular backpacking route into the canyon that winds past the Colorado River and descends more than 4,000 feet into the canyon. While this trail can’t be completed in a day, it’s still great for day hiking.

To do an Angel Trail day hike, follow the trail 1.5 miles into the canyon until you reach the first resthouse. At the resthouse, you can refill your water and catch your breath before making the ascent back to the canyon’s rim. This out-and-back hike typically takes three hours to complete and is well worth it for unmatched views of the canyon walls and depths.

To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to return to your car and make the short drive from Mather Point to Angel Trail (less than ten minutes). There’s a small parking lot at the trailhead where you can leave your car for the morning. But if it’s full, you can also park at nearby Bright Angel Lodge and easily walk to the trailhead.

Before you go, check weather conditions and fill up your water bottles. While there’s a resthouse along the way, the canyon gets hot, and the hike can be strenuous, especially the steep return hike.

If you prefer to stay along the canyon rim rather than hiking into the canyon, we recommend the South Rim Trail. This relatively flat path hugs the canyon’s edge and connects many of the South Rim’s most famous viewpoints, including Yavapai, Hopi, and Powell Points. You can walk as much or as little as you like, catching shuttle buses between stops if time is tight.

One of our favorite stretches is the six-mile walk between Mather Point and Bright Angel Trailhead. This hike typically takes two hours to complete, but we recommend allowing three hours to enjoy the scenic markers along the way. To get to the South Rim Trail from Mather Point, simply follow the trail markers from the viewpoint to the start of the trail.

After a full morning of hiking, we recommend hopping in the car and following Desert View Drive for several hours. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at numerous viewpoints and scenic markers. (Be sure to stop at Lipan Point for sweeping views of the Colorado River that carved the canyon!)

End your drive at the historic Desert View Watchtower. Built in 1932, this stone tower highlights the artistry of Hopi design and offers one of the park’s best panoramic views. The tower is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is accessible with free tickets. We recommend going inside and experiencing the View Room, which has been modeled after a traditional Native American kiva.

Cap off your day with an iconic Grand Canyon view: sunset at Hopi Point. Known for its expansive views of both the western and eastern skylines, it’s one of the best spots to watch the sky blaze in brilliant shades of gold, purple, and crimson as the sun sinks below the horizon. It’s the perfect place to reflect on a day well spent in one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

To get to Hopi Point, park your car in the Grand Canyon Village. Then take one of the free shuttle buses to the viewpoint. Depending on your timeframe, you can also hike along the West Rim Trail to the viewpoint and then take the free park shuttle back to your car. If you choose to hike to Hopi Point, be sure to confirm the shuttle return times that generally end an hour after sunset.

From the quiet awe of sunrise at Mather Point to the sweeping sunset vistas at Hopi Point, each corner of the Grand Canyon offers a deeper appreciation for its immense beauty and geological story.

If the Grand Canyon is on your bucket list, don’t wait to go. Time slows down in the presence of such grandeur, and even one day at this park is an unforgettable experience!