20 Unique Things To Do In Grand Canyon National Park

Bright Angel Trial is among the most popular routes in Grand Canyon National Park. The trail is quite accessible and begins at South Rim, near the Bright Angel Lodge. Right from the start, the trail starts to descend into the canyon gorge while giving astonishing views.

Although the descent is quite easy, returning back can be a bit challenging. Despite the challenges, the beautiful rock formations, green spaces, and the view definitely make the trip worthwhile.

The Indian Garden, AKA Havasupai Gardens is a peaceful stop while hiking through the Bright Angel Trail. Resting here you will be covered with cool cottonwood trees from all the way around. The garden area also has a few tables for lunch and bathroom facilities.

The Indian Garden is also a perfect place to get out into the wilderness of the Grand Canyon. Entering the garden is free but if you are planning to camp below the rim, you will have to pay $10 for a permit and an additional $5 per person.

This is one of the most iconic structures in the South Rim. It has a height of 70 feet. Constructed in 1932, the Desert View Watchtower is a tribute to the Native American cultures of the Southwest. This tower can be found along the Desert View Drive.

From this place, you can watch the entire canyon, the Colorado River, and the distant Painted Desert. The tower itself is an architecture to appreciate. Apart from that the inside of the Desert View Watchtower features murals and artworks that depict Native American history. These displays are free to explore and can help you understand the mythology of the region in depth.

The Desert View Drive portion of SR 64 is a scenic road. It starts near the Grand Canyon Village and winds through different parts of the canyon. The entire road is well-paved and has several viewpoints alongside.

Notable spots like Moran Point, Lipan Point, and Navajo are the ones you should not miss. Each of these points offers a unique view of the canyon. In addition to that, you will also cross forests of Ponderosa pine and juniper and vast open spaces.

Tusayan Ruin and Museum is another great place to stop by while driving through Desert View Drive. This place offers information about the ancient Puebloan people who lived in the area a few centuries back.

For a short trip back in time, you can visit the Grand Canyon Village. This village is the heart of the South Rim which was established in the early 1900s. This area is covered with historic buildings like the El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House.

Inside the village, you will find famous viewpoints like the Lookout Studio and the Rim Trail. You can also visit the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, or the Verkamp's Visitor Center to learn about the canyon's history.

The Grand Canyon Village is more than just a tourist attraction. It is a place that is deeply connected to the history and culture of the region which makes the place more special.

If you are someone who loves riding a horse, then a mule ride in Grand Canyon National Park is pretty much the same experience. It takes you on a unique adventure that lets you connect with nature up close.

From being initially used as a means of transport in the late 1800s, the mule rides have now turned to be the latest trend among visitors who seek to roam the canyon with ease. Breathtaking views of the canyon walls, vibrant rock layers, and the Colorado River are all you will see during the ride.

A guide riding along with you will not fail to entertain you throughout the way and make sure you return back with lots of fun memories.

After exploring the Grand Canyon through hikes and drives, another suitable way to do so is by rafting at the Colorado River. It is one of the most thrilling experiences. This adventure is filled with both thrill and excitement.

The Colorado River winding through the canyon lets you see the natural beauty of the area up close. The views you are rewarded with continue to enhance with every turn. Traveling across you'll also have opportunities to stop and hike to different spots, swim in the river, or simply enjoy a riverside picnic.

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is located near Mather Point. It is a great starting point for someone exploring the South Rim. This facility is suitable for collecting helpful information to make the most of your short trip.

Here you can find maps, brothers and some tips from the staff on some of the best attractions of the area. Moreover, the exhibits showcased inside can help you understand the history and geology of the area. Before exiting the center, watching a short film about the canyon at the IMAX Theater inside is a must.

Popular among travelers as one of the most beautiful sights in the area, this place is a desert oasis. The waterfall pours down blue-green water from a 100 feet rock into a crystal clear pool below. The high concentration of minerals is what makes the water so vibrant.

To reach this place you will have to hike a total distance of 8 miles from the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop. The hike is a bit challenging but the rewards are worth it all. Reaching the Havasu Falls, a view that will remain forever with you comes in sight.

After a tiring hike, you can jump inside the pool and enjoy the cool waters. For non-swimmers, nearby waterfalls like Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls can also be explored.

This skywalk is a nice place to walk above the towering rocks of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the first place you want to visit in the West Rim. It is a glass-bottom walkway that is 70 feet long.

The construction of the skywalk was completed in 2007 and has been serving visitors to date. Walking through it feels like floating above the canyon. It is an ideal place to take in the views of Canyo's rugged cliffs that are visible from the clear glass below.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located in the Hualapai Indian Reservation. You will have to collect a ticket from the counter to access this place. Meanwhile, with the same ticket you can enjoy a settled ride to the site and access other attractions in the area.

Established in 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway is a historic railroad. It carries passengers between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Boarding this train is a great way to step back in time.

The journey takes about two hours and offers passengers a smooth ride through the Arizona countryside. The train's vintage carriage is the most beautiful part of the journey. These carriages have been carrying passengers for several decades.

During the journey, musicians and actors who bring the Old West to life will keep you entertained. As the train moves forward, the surroundings start to change offering a unique view. In the end, you reach the South Rim where you can explore the entire Grand Canyon.

The Hopi House is located within the Grand Canyon Village. Exploring this place, you can get a glimpse into Native American culture and history. This house was built by architect Mary Colter in 1905.

Inside the house, you will find various handcrafted Native American art and crafts like pottery, jewelry, and textiles. Informative displays and artifacts can also be found here. These displays help you understand the history and tradition of the Hopi tribe. Visiting this place, you can support and appreciate the artwork of local artists to motivate them for future work.

Navajo Bridge, a historic site is an important part of Grand Canyon National Park. It is a two-bridge structure that is the only way to cross the Colorado River that connects Utah and Arizona. Among the two bridges, one is pretty old while the other was built in 1995 with a higher capacity.

Both of these bridges stand at a height of 467 feet from the river. From here you can see some beautiful views of the river below and the surrounding landscape. The Navajo Bridge also serves as a perfect photography spot attracting photographers from all around the world.

Kolb Studio is a home, toll gate, and photography studio situated close to the Bright Angel Trailhead. It is housed inside a historical building that has been rebuilt multiple times to date. With a past that almost got it demolished, the studio now has become one of the major attractions of the park.

The studio is not just a piece of history but is also an art gallery and bookstore. This place is free to visit where visitors can purchase artworks, books, gifts, souvenirs, and basic hiking gear. It is also a nice place to hang around and collect some information about the park.

Having a rocky landscape, the Grand Canyon National Park has some of the best hiking trails in Arizona. Among them all is the Bright Angel Trail. It is considered one of the most popular hiking trails in the park.

The Bright Angel Trial takes you down to the canyon through a moderately challenging trail. This trail lets you walk in the footsteps of the canyon's Indigenous Peoples, miners, and early tourists.

Beautiful views of the canyon, resthouses, and drinking water facilities can be found throughout the trail. All these facilities play an important role in making the trip accessible for all hikers.

When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, camping at one of the various spots is one of the best things you can do. With wide open spaces and proper facilities, the park features various campgrounds alongside some of the most popular attractions.

Camping inside the park, lets you immerse in nature along with a sense of adventure. During this adventure, you can explore the local wildlife, create fun memories, and connect with locals as well as other visitors. The night sky seen from the Grand Canyon enhances the overall experience. Away from the light pollution, you can view stars, constellations, and galaxies.

Yavapai Geology Museum is a historic site that offers both knowledge and beautiful views of the canyon. Here you will find various displays that explain about the ecosystem and the geology of the park.

A 30-minute geology program held every day at 3 pm. is one of the main highlights of the museum. During this program, knowledgeable rangers stand in front of the museum and provide knowledge on the formation and the science behind the landscape.

Found inside the museum are overlook windows with Annotated displays on where to look to see each group of rocks. Furthermore, you can walk between rock column models of the North and South Rims, while learning the names of the various rock layers.

Lookout Studio is another ancient place designed in 1914, to let visitors enjoy the views of the Canyon from a safe platform. The studio is made out of white stones and is located just south of EL Tovar Hotel, the best hotel in the Grand Canyon.

Before transitioning into a gift and souvenir shop, the Lookout Studio served as a gathering place for locals and visitors. Every night this place used to become vibrant with people sharing stores, sitting around fire, and watching mule riders through a telescope.

Currently, this place is popular for rare and beautiful items sold inside that resemble the local culture.

The Mather Paint is one of many viewpoints found inside the park. A short walk from the South Rim Visitor Center is all you need to reach this place. Leave your car at the parking spot and walk patiently towards this place.

With every step you take towards the Mather Point, beautiful views of the canyon start to appear. This site, which was not accessible to tourists until 1919 has now become a place to enjoy the panoramic view of the canyon.

You can see layered rock formations, deep gorges, and the Colorado River. Around the sites are a few picnic spots for visitors to enjoy a meal with the views.

The Tusayan Ruins is located 3 miles west of Desert View Watchtower. This place showcases a small part of the 800-year-old Pueblo Village that was situated in the area. The site features a small U-shaped Pueblo featuring a living area, storage room, and a kiva.

The site was discovered in 1930 by the members of the Gila Pueblo of Globe, Arizona. Since then the place has been attracting archaeologists and history buffs from all around the globe. Nested inside the site is a historic museum, that showcases the items used by the early settlers in their day-to-day life.