grand canyon trip with toddler

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Visiting the Grand Canyon with a Baby or a Toddler (Full Guide!)

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Kelly

Thinking of traveling to the Grand Canyon with a baby or a toddler? As one of the seven natural wonders of the world , the Grand Canyon is certainly a bucket-list destination. We recently visited the Grand Canyon with our toddler, and we learned a thing or two! We think that it’s important to plan easy excursions, to stay mindful of safety considerations, and to bring the proper gear. In this post, we’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon with a baby or a toddler .

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Young Children

There are a few things to keep in mind to prepare you for a safe trip with your baby or toddler at the Grand Canyon.

• Research your planned hikes and trail conditions . You’ll want to know which hikes have steep drop-offs, which viewpoints have guardrails, and which trails are paved or unpaved. ( More details on that below! ) When you arrive, you can ask a park ranger about any current conditions you should be aware of, especially as it relates to hiking with young children.
• Research current weather and road conditions . The National Park Service posts updates on conditions. If it’s going to be warm or sunny, you’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and a sun hat with a wide brim . 
• Don’t feed the wildlife . Don’t approach wildlife and don’t offer animals human food. We saw plenty of signs saying the most dangerous animal at the Grand Canyon is the squirrel! 
• Stay on marked trails. If you leave the trail, you could get lost or encounter a steep drop-off. Be sure to stick to the clearly marked trails. 
• Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the edge of the rim . There are documented fatalities from people getting too close to the edge and falling. (Your personal safety is not worth the selfie!)
• Don’t throw rocks (or anything else) over the edge of the canyon. You could injure hikers below, or you could start a landslide.
• Closely supervise your child even when there are guardrails. A toddler could climb through many of the guardrails. As shown in the picture below, some of the guardrails are placed around areas that have cave in a bit. Just be sure to have a close eye on your child at all times.
• Learn from a Park Ranger . The National Park Service put out a podcast and article about hiking safely with infants and toddlers . There are lots of great tips!

Essential Items for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Children

These products will help you to make the most of your trip to the Grand Canyon with a baby or a toddler! 

• Child harness backpack . If you want to do any unpaved trails, you’ll want to carry your toddler. This is the pack that we use, and it is super light. It’s also more affordable compared to some other brands. Bonus that it has a built-in sun shade! 
• Stroller. There are several paved trails that are much easier to use with a stroller. (That way your toddler can take a nap or get a break from the sun.) We brought a Thule jogging stroller to the Grand Canyon, and it worked out perfectly for us.
• Stroller sunshade. This product is a game-changer. It covers your stroller completely to protect your toddler from the sun. (You won’t have to worry about the sun shining on those little legs!) It blocks up to 97.5% of UV rays. It’s air-permeable, so your toddler will be able to breathe. It has the added bonus of making the stroller darker, so it can be especially helpful at nap time. We were so glad we brought this with us.
• Sun hat. When your toddler is out walking around, you’ll want to protect their face and neck from the sun. 
• Ergo. If you have an infant or younger toddler, you may be more comfortable using this baby carrier. 
• Insulated water bottle. This water bottle will keep you water cooler for longer. Trust us, there is nothing better than gulping ice-cold water on a hot day. We’ve had this water bottle for a long time, and we are glad we made the switch!
• 10 Essentials. Whenever you go hiking, it’s important to bring the 10 Essentials for safety preparedness. 

See our guide to the hotels at the Grand Canyon !

Bringing a Stroller

One of the first things you’ll have to decide is if you want to bring a stroller to the Grand Canyon. We think that having a stroller with you will make a big difference as you plan your day. If you can bring your stroller, your baby or toddler will have a place to nap and a place to retreat from the sun. 

The Grand Canyon shuttles allow small, foldable strollers on board. Bulky jogging strollers are prohibited. The drivers just ask that you have your stroller folded and ready to go. We brought our stroller and just folded it in half prior to boarding. All our drivers allowed us to board. 

4 Family-Friendly Hikes at the Grand Canyon 

Now that you know you can bring your stroller with you, you can start planning some stroller-friendly hikes!

1. The Rim Trail

The Rim Trail has a series of scenic overlooks and is best accessed by taking the Hermit Road Shuttle . Taking the Hermit Road Shuttle was probably the highlight of our toddler daughter’s road trip. She loved sitting in the front row, holding onto the bars, and saying “vroom vroom!”  

The shuttle route connects Grand Canyon Village with Hermits Rest. It’s 7 miles long, and there are a total of 9 scenic overlooks . You can decide to hop out at one or all nine of them. There are also paved trails that connect some of the overlooks. So, you can decide to walk some of the seven miles if you’d like. We wrote a complete post on the Rim Trail (with detailed information on each of the overlooks!)

If you don’t get off the bus and just ride the shuttle, the ride is 80 minutes long roundtrip. We recommend that you plan to do this activity for a half day. We found that the shuttle was much busier in the afternoon, and relatively quiet in the morning when we visited in June. We didn’t need to wait in any shuttle lines when we arrived between 9-10am during our visit. (Note that the outbound buses stop at all nine overlooks, and the return trip buses stop only at four of them.)

The nine shuttle stops are: Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vistas, and Hermits Rest. 

If you’d like to walk a portion of the way along a paved route, disembark at the Monument Creek Vista. There is a 3 mile trail for bicyclists and pedestrians. It is fully accessible up until Pima Point. 

When you visit the view points, just be mindful of your toddler if you approach any steep drop-offs. Either keep your toddler in the stroller, or be sure that you have a close eye on them.

2. Trail of Time

The Trail of Time is a relatively flat paved trail that takes you through a geological timeline of the canyon’s creation. It is 2.83 miles long (4.56 kilometers). Each meter you walk along the trail represents a million years of geological history. It really gives you an appreciation for the magnitude of time! Time is marked by bronze markers embedded into the trail. We wrote a complete post on the Trail of Time , so check it out if you are planning to complete that trail!

You can reach the beginning of the Trail of Time at the Yavapai Geology Museum . 

It’s an excellent activity to do with a toddler. It’s not every day you can walk through millions of years of time! Plus, you can make lots of puns as you stroll through time.  (It feels like this hike is taking forever!)

There are some areas where the trail skirts near the edge of the canyon. Again, be mindful if you have young children walking with you. 

3. Shoshone Point Trail

One of the hidden gems of the Grand Canyon is the Shoshone Point Trail. It is off the beaten path, so there tends to be less visitors here.

This is an out-and-back trail that is 2.1 miles long with only 150 feet of elevation gain. When you reach the end, you’ll be rewarded with excellent views of the canyon. The trail is not paved, but it’s a dirt trail. A jogging stroller would likely be fine on this trail, but use your judgment. 

4. Mather Point

This is not so much a trail, as it’s just a short walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. The viewpoint is named for Stephen Tyng Mather, who was the first director of the National Park Service. At this viewpoint, you will have expansive views of the entire canyon. It’s an excellent place to catch a sunrise or a sunset. There is an ADA-accessible ramp that takes you to the viewpoint, so this is a good stroller-friendly place to visit.

Toddler-Friendly Attractions Near the Grand Canyon

In addition to the trails, there’s a lot for a little toddler to do in the vicinity!

Grand Canyon Railway

If your toddler likes trains (and what toddler doesn’t?) , you could book a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway. It’s about a two-hour ride, and it’s an efficient way to see a lot of the surrounding area. 

Children are allowed in three of the six classes (Pullman Class, Coach Class, and First Class). And, children under age 2 are free!

Bearizona Wildlife Park

About an hour south of the Grand Canyon is Bearizona Wildlife Park. They have a drive-through wildlife park and a self-guided walking tour. You’ll see animals such as jaguars, sheep, and bobcats. Many of the animals in the park have been rescued due to conservation efforts. 

Horseshoe Bend

If you have enough time for a day trip, you can take a short road trip to Horseshoe Bend . The total drive time is about 2.5 hours each way. Horseshoe Bend was one of the most impressive viewpoints we have seen during our travels, so it’s well worth the time spent. 

We allocated two days to spend at the Grand Canyon with our toddler. We’re grateful we gave ourselves two days, because it turns out we had car trouble on the second day and spent the entire day fixing our tire. (That’s why we created our one-day guide to seeing the Grand Canyon !)

We were very cautious around the Grand Canyon’s rim. We closely supervised our toddler at all times.

We are so glad that we visited the Grand Canyon with our toddler. Seeing the Grand Canyon in photos is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is quite another! We especially enjoyed the Trail of Time and the Rim Trail. Our daughter’s favorite part of the Grand Canyon, though, was the shuttle bus!

Disclaimer :  We always strive for content accuracy.   Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information. Please note that s afety and weather considerations at the Grand Canyon change daily, so this article can’t tell you whether or not it’s safe for you to hike with your child to these locations on any given day. This post is for informational purposes and not for personal advice. We merely share our experiences. 

Hi, I’m Kelly!

After studying abroad in Spain, I became passionate about international travel. Since then, I’ve traveled to 6 continents and 36 states within the United States. When I’m not travel blogging, you can find me hiking, reading books in Spanish, or playing cribbage. I hope my blog inspires you to see the world!

8 Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Toddlers

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: July 1, 2015

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The Grand Canyon is on so many travel bucket lists and with good reason.

Because it is such an important travel destination, some say to wait to visit until your kids can “appreciate it.”  To those naysayers I say instead: GO! There’s nothing preventing you from going back. With low entrance fees and family friendly attractions, national parks are relative budget-friendly deals for family travelers. There is no reason you can’t take your kids at various ages and stages. Because my kids have a 4 1/2 year age gap between them, we also don’t want to hold our older child back from experiencing the world until her younger brother is “old enough.”

With this principle in mind, my family decided to spend a few nights on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon this spring as part of a Southwest road trip from Las Vegas to Phoenix. Our traveling family included myself, my husband, our almost 6 year old daughter and our 18 month old son.

Our daughter was more than ready to experience much that the park had to offer but the toddler made things a bit more challenging. With the proper planning, however, there is no reason not to take a toddler to the Grand Canyon. The natural beauty is something that can be appreciated even at such a young age. I adored hearing my son utter “wow” and “whoa” (two of only a few dozen words in his vocabulary at the time) as we looked over the magnificent natural expanse.

If you are planning to take little ones to the park, here are 8 of my kid-tested tips for visiting the Grand Canyon with toddlers:

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy  here .)

Grand Canyon with Toddlers: Top 8 Tips

1. stay overnight within the park..

Hotel rooms at the Grand Canyon within the borders of the park are in high demand, but try mightily to get them if you have young children. It will make the logistics of your trip (particularly naps) so much easier. When my family started looking for rooms about 4 months before our spring break trip, the entire park was almost completely sold out, even mid-week. Luckily we snagged one of the last rooms in the Village at Maswik Lodge and it made things much easier for us.

The Grand Canyon does things the old fashioned way – by phone, with accompanying long hold times. All the major South Rim lodges except Yavapai ( Bright Angel, El Tovar, Kachina, Thunderbird and Maswik ) are managed by the same company, so at least you only need to make one or two phone calls. As soon as you are considering a trip, call and book a room.  The cancellation policies are generous so you can always cancel or change later. If you do stay within the park, be aware that all the Grand Canyon hotels are a little rustic. But isn’t that why you are going?

2. If you can’t get a hotel room within the park, plan to arrive early.

If you are staying outside the park and planning to visit the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village (the most popular part of the Grand Canyon), there is only one major car entrance into the park. This means entrance lines for vehicles can be quite long. When traveling with toddlers, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be an early bird. Guests arriving mid to late morning will find very long lines. We personally witnessed a line of cars over a mile long on our visit by 11 am on a weekday in spring.

3. A baby carrier is essential.

Sunset on the South Rim with the little guy cozy and safe in his carrier.

The Grand Canyon involves real nature, with its accompanying dangers. With its busy crowds, too many visitors forget that they aren’t in a theme park. There is considerable danger even in the parts around the South Rim that are developed.  Parents of toddlers should take appropriate heed. Keep toddlers contained for safety near the rim. Strollers are a bit difficult to use in some places due to uneven terrain and lots of stairs, so I’d recommend using a carrier for your toddler whenever possible. If you are going to use a stroller, a compact umbrella stroller is your best bet, especially if you plan to ride the park shuttles where space is tight.

4. Bring a sippy cup or water bottle.

To protect the environment, no bottled water is sold within the park. You’ll definitely want to keep your children well-hydrated in the heat, sun, and at elevation. Bring a few reusable water bottles and/or a sippy cup for your little ones that you can refill at the water stations throughout the park.

5. Learn the shuttle routes.

When traveling with toddlers, you probably won’t be doing extensive hiking and will need to rely on other transportation to get around. Parking is a challenge on the South Rim, so the best option is to take the free shuttles provided by the park. The major routes are fairly simple, but take a few minutes to learn which ways they run. You may need to get off at an alternative stop to avoid having to ride the long way around, particularly on the blue route that goes through the Village.

6. Make dining reservations or dine early.

Our family enjoying Easter dinner at El Tovar.

All of the restaurants around the South Rim are kid-friendly, even the fancy El Tovar Dining Room where my family enjoyed an amazing Easter dinner watching the sun set over the canyon. Making a reservation at El Tovar is essential if you want to eat with your kids in this historic location.

Bright Angel Lodge next door also has a nice restaurant and amazing views, but they don’t take dinner reservations. We arrived right before 5 pm for an early dinner and were able to grab a table. I’d recommend you do the same, as the restaurant was completely full by 5:15 pm.

7. Rent a bike trailer.

Biking is one of the great ways to see the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, but toddlers obviously aren’t exactly ready for the ride (and sometimes 6 year olds aren’t either !). We found that Bright Angel Bicycles rented double Burley trailers that are just perfect for biking with a toddler. As with everything at the Grand Canyon, reserve well in advance.

Biking the South Rim with little brother in a rented trailer.

One word of warning: biking with a trailer at the Grand Canyon is not for the out-of-shape. If you plan to go up to some of the higher overlooks west towards Hermits Rest (Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, etc.), you will have quite the climb, particularly with a bike trailer in tow. My husband biked with the empty trailer while I took both kids on the shuttle bus up the steepest stretch (with our bikes on the bike rack of the shuttle). Alternatively, take one of the guided tours with Bright Angel that will shuttle you, your bikes, and even the trailer up the steep stretch.

8. Be prepared to wait.

The Grand Canyon is extraordinarily popular so expect to encounter lines and waits. Prepare your toddler as best you can and bring distractions, especially for pre-meal time waits. And enjoy the slower pace and natural beauty while you do.

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Have you taken a toddler to the Grand Canyon?  What tips would you add?

Want to follow along on my family’s Southwest Road Trip from Vegas to Phoenix?  Check these other stories:

• Road Trip Tips for Frequent Flyers
• Spring Break, Stomach Bugs & a Surprising Gesture from a Hotel that Saved a Day of Our Vacation
• 10 Things to Do With Young Kids in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels in Las Vegas with Kids
• 8 Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Toddlers (you are here)
• Top Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona with Kids
• A Family-Friendly Evening with the Arizona Diamondbacks

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Monday 14th of March 2022

Hi I am planning to visit Grand Canyon.we have no car .so I did a research and it says flagstaff is the nearest airport,can I get a taxi from there?without car is it possible to see the attractions there.also how many days does it need to see the Grand Canyon with 3&4 year old kids .if they get sick any doctor office there??

Leslie Harvey

There are shuttle services that go from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon that you can book - will be a better option than a taxi. It's definitely possible to just use the Grand Canyon park shuttles to get around the South Rim sights once you get there. Yes there is also an urgent care clinic in the South Rim area - North Country HealthCare.

Saturday 2nd of February 2019

Hey , I have 2.3 years old . She is very much restless. Should i carry baby sack / baby carrier with me ?

Larry Weaver

Tuesday 21st of November 2017

I did not realize that you could do biking with a trailer at the Grand Canyon. My wife loves to bide, so we will have to check out if there is an availability for rentals in advance for when we plan to visit. We would like to do some tours of the Grand Canyon, and doing it with our young children would make for a fun time.

Sunday 15th of October 2017

I followed your suggestions and our trip with our 2.5 year old son was great! Thanks a lot!

Kid Travel Gear: What We Packed & What We Used - Trips With Tykes

Monday 26th of September 2016

[…] – we loved the Bitybean carrier for our son when he was 18 months old while we were in the Grand Canyon. It’s just not as ergonomically friendly for older and […]

The Unknown Enthusiast

27 Super Fun Things to Do at the Grand Canyon with Kids

Looking for the best child-friendly activities to do at the Grand Canyon with kids? Read on for my top suggestions!

The Grand Canyon is the 4th most visited national park in the United States for good reason – it’s truly awe-inspiring and jaw-droppping. That first look over the canyon is one that I won’t ever forget.

The gorge cuts deep into the earth, with multiple layers and plateaus visible. And the canyon isn’t just one straight line – it’s jagged and zigs and zags through the earth, with many other little canyons running into the main canyon. There’s dozens of vantage points along the South Rim, and tons of cool opportunities to interact with the world famous Grand Canyon.

And one of the best parts of the Grand Canyon? There’s a TON of things to do, no matter your age, interest, or hiking ability.

This guide is all about exploring the Grand Canyon with kids. We are making some assumptions here – mainly, that you probably aren’t doing the MOST intense hikes with your kids, and want things that steer closer to easy than strenuous.

For a little context, we visited the Grand Canyon with our four girls, ages 5,7, 9, and 11, and they have some, but not tons, of hiking experience. This Grand Canyon with kids guide is specifically for the South Rim – but we will have a North Rim guide coming soon!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help keep this site running. Thank you so much for your support!

27 Best Things to Do in the Grand Canyon with Kids

So let’s jump right into the list of the best things to do in the Grand Canyon with kids. This list is divided into several sections, with our top experiences listed in each section.

➡️ Great Kid Hikes in the Grand Canyon

When hiking in the Grand Canyon, remember, mules have the right of way!

1. Bright Angel Path

Bright Angel is one of the most popular trails in the park, and for good reason. It has gorgeous views down into the canyon as you hike, and, if you stay on it, it eventually does take you down to the Colorado River. At the river, you can hook up with the North Kaibab trail, which takes you to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Most people don’t go anywhere near that far. In fact, if you’re hiking with kids, you will probably want to hike just to the first, maybe the second waypoint on the trail. The first waypoint is 1.5 miles (one way) into the canyon, and the second is 3 miles in. At the first stop, there is a fresh water spigot, a emergency telephone box, and a restroom house and shelter.

The first part of the Bright Angel path is the most steep – it drops over 1000 feet in elevation in 1.5 miles. Thankfully, the path has many logs built into it to create a staircase effect, which does help. A lot of the path is in the sun, but if you are hiking the morning, there are spots that are shady too.

Is this a good path for kids? Our 11, 9, 7, and 5 year-old did fairly well on this hike. They did get tired, but managed to make it up without too much difficulty, even with having had minimal hiking experience prior to this.

I think this trail has many features that makes it accessible for kids, as the path was wide and level (no rocks), had plenty of interesting rocks features, and even some animal sightings. Although it was decently sandy, which made it a bit slippery on some downhill sections.

2. South Kaibab Trail

I loved South Kaibab Trail! Like Bright Angel, South Kaibab immediately leaves the rim and steeply descends into the canyon. The very first part of the trail is a set of tight switchbacks along the face of the sheer wall, and then you start following the canyon wall out and along. South Kaibab goes all the way down into the canyon to the river, but there are a series of milestones along the way.

The first viewpoint is Ooh Ahh Point, which is a couple of really big rocks that overlook the canyon. The views are great here! This point is just 0.75 miles into the canyon, so if you want a hike that is shorter but feels like you still reach a destination, this is a good option. Cedar Ridge is the next viewpoint and it is 1.5 miles one-way to this spot.

The trail is really well kept, with a lot of steps built into the trail to help minimize slipping. However, with the significant amount  of sand on the path, slipping is still fairly easy to do, so wear your best shoes with the most traction.

With a cool trail and gorgeous views, this is a good mixture of short and manageable, but is definitely a “real” hike with some elevation changes and fantastic lookout spots.

We did Bright Angel and South Kaibab at about the same time of the day (8am) but found that South Kaibab still had a lot of shady areas at that time of day, whereas Bright Angel was mostly in sun.

Personally, I thought that the South Kaibab was the better hike in the Grand Canyon to do with children. We thought the trail was a little more interesting, the kids appreciated the shadiness, and it’s nice that there is a viewpoint at 0.75 miles, instead of 1.5 miles, giving you more flexibility on how long you want to go. (Of course, you can stop whenever you want, you don’t have to wait for the official “spot”, but I’m not going to lie, it feels nice to reach a milestone before turning around!).

3. Shoshone Point

Shoshone Point is a bit of a hidden gem, and is a great Canyon Canyon hike to do with kids, as the trail is only 2 miles round trip, and the trail is very flat and easy.

Unlike many of the other hikes in the Grand Canyon, the hike was to the rim, not along the rim, or under the rim, which makes it unique.

At the very end of the hike, you’ll walk out on a narrow ledge with steep drop-offs around you (it reminded me a little bit of the spine of Angel’s Landing , though not nearly as skinny or precarious). The very end of the viewpoint widens a bit and you have the most spectacular panorama that stretches all around you. You can catch a glimpse of the Colorado River and the North Rim just feels really close from here.

We had seen many viewpoints by the time we hiked Shoshone, but it still absolutely took my breath away.

If you’re hiking with younger kids, this would be an area to definitely hold their hands, or just stop before the skinny part of the trail starts. Older kids may need a safety reminder, too.

Logistics : This trail is located on the eastern section of the South Rim, off of Highway 64, which is not serviced by shuttles – you must drive yourself. Pay attention because the parking lot/trailhead is not marked on the roadway, so you’ll need to follow navigation.

There are enough spots for about 20-30 cars – when we went at the beginning of June about 1/3 of the spaces were filled. There is an overflow lot on the other side of the road about 1/4 mile down the road.

4. Rim Trail

The Rim Trail is a paved, relatively flat trail that goes riiiiight along the edge of the Rim and provides incredible views over the canyon. It also passes through all the viewpoints on the western half of the South Rim.

It starts at the South Kaibab Trailhead and ends at Hermit’s Landing, the very western point that is accessible of the South Rim, making the total length 12.8 miles!

While not as exciting as the other hikes on this list, this trail is great if you have low mobility or are pushing a stroller. Kids also appreciate that it is nice and flat and has several paved sections. It also includes the Trail of Time as part of its length.

Luckily, you don’t need to commit to the full length to enjoy this trail. Many of the main amenities available at the South Rim are located right off the Rim Trail, and it is easy to walk sections as you move between these attractions or viewpoints.

You can also access the shuttle bus at many points on the trail, so you can walk between some viewpoints and then pick up the shuttle bus for other stretches. It’s a very customizable trail.

➡️ Admire the Viewpoints

There are 18 viewpoints on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon that are located along the entire 32 miles of the South Rim. Some of these viewpoints are serviced by the shuttle buses, others you have to drive to yourself.

All of these overlooks provide a unique view of the Grand Canyon, and truly, all are magnificent. But if you don’t have time (or desire!) to visit all 18, these were our favorite viewpoints to visit in the Grand Canyon with kids:

5 . Trail Overlook

Trail Overlook (as well as the next 3 overlooks) is on the Red shuttle line, which is on the western side of the Grand Canyon South Rim. As the name suggests, it has great view of Bright Angel Trail. You can see the trail snaking down the side of the cliff, and out towards the river.

Our kids really liked seeing the hikers on Bright Angel Trail. If you’re planning to do this hike with your children, I’d recommend doing the hike before you do the viewpoint; it’s cooler when you can say “that’s where we just were!”

6. Powell Point

Powell Point is a fun overlook for kids because you get your first view of the river here, plus the scenery is just very dramatic. There’s also a really fun mesa in this section shaped like a crescent (you can see it in the above picture on the left side in the middle).

There’s also a small ledge you can climb down to that is in front of the official viewpoint – this is where the above picture is taken.

7. Mojave Point

Mojave is a REALLY fun viewpoint for kids. This overlook has a great view of the Colorado River, as well as a condor nest really close to the viewpoint. There is often a ranger there, pointing out the birds and the nest and helping you spot it. Our kids had a great time here.

8. Moran Point

Moran Point is on Desert View Drive, on the eastern side of the South Rim, and is only accessible by car, not shuttle. This particular viewpoint is really nice because it feels like you can see the canyon stretch on forever, and there’s not many people here.

9. Desert View WatchTower

Desert View Watchtower is the easternmost point in the Grand Canyon South Rim, and it has a lot to offer. This overlook has this cool old brick watchtower that was constructed in 1932 and is now a National Historic Landmark. The upper sections of the tower are closed to visitors, but you can go in the main level.

This is also the best viewpoint in the entire Grand Canyon to see the Colorado River, as you are oriented to look up the canyon head-on towards the river.

At this overlook, there are some of those binoculars where you pay a quarter to use the machine – I think it’s worth the quarter (or 3) to get a closer look at the way the bright turquoise water cuts through the canyon.

This overlook is fairly popular, and has a large parking lot (though it wasn’t even half full when we visited in summer). There are also a lot of amenities at this overlook, including bathrooms, water fill stations inside the gift shop, a gift shop, rangers, etc.

10. Watching the Sunset

Sunset in the Grand Canyon is magical. The way that the sun dips below the western horizon filled with the ridges and mesas of the canyon is incredible, and the warm glow on the orange rocks on the eastern horizon is just gorgeous.

There are a bunch of good sunset spots at the Grand Canyon, including Mojave, Powell, and Hopi Points (thanks to the direction they’re facing). The area around the Geology Museum is a great spot as well. This is where we went to watch the sunset, and we started at the Geology Museum and walked east along the Rim Trail until we found a spot we wanted to chill at – there are a lot of good spots.

Make sure you get to a spot around 30 minutes before sunset for time to admire the view, and the glow, and take pictures, and then watch the sun dip below the horizon.

➡️ Get Around In a Unique Way

There are several ways to get around the Grand Canyon, and it’s important to know about them all!

12 . Bicycles

Bicycling around the Grand Canyon is both allowed and encouraged! You can bike on most roads on the South Rim on the Grand Canyon, and if you get tired, you can hop on a shuttle bus and put your bike on the front of the bus.

You can bring your own bikes or rent them from Bright Angel Bicycles , located right next to the Visitor’s Center in the national park. They offer bike rentals, as well as bike tours.

We saw a ton of families biking around the Grand Canyon – it’s a great way to break up the pace and do something that most kids really enjoy, while still enjoying the beautiful scenery and views of the Grand Canyon.

Get more information on bicyling in the Grand Canyon here.

13. Shuttle Bus

The Grand Canyon has a very well-designed shuttle system, with 5 different lines servicing different spots in the park. Three of these lines run year round, and two of them run only seasonally. Most of these lines service the western side of the Grand Canyon South Rim.

One of these lines actually runs from the town of Tusayan (the closest town to the main entrance, about 15 minutes away) to the South Rim Visitor’s Center. This shuttle is only open in the summer, but can be a great way to avoid lines and parking during the busiest times of year.

Shuttles usually come every 15-30 minutes. The National Park Service warns that you may have to wait to board during the busiest times of year – we did not experience overly full buses and having to wait for the next bus when we visited in early June.

Between March and November, you can only visit the string of 8 viewpoints between Trail Overlook and Hermit’s Rest by shuttle bus, walking, or biking. While you *can* walk the Rim Trail to all the viewpoints, it is a LONG walk. The distance between a few of these viewpoints is pretty short (e.g. Powell Point to Hopi Point was less than a 10 minute walk), but otherwise you may want to just take the shuttle.

For most people at most stops, you generally have enough time to get out, look at the viewpoint, take it in, take your pictures, all before the next shuttle bus comes.

You can get a lot of detailed information (plus a map) of the shuttle system here . You will also receive a map with the shuttle information and stops on it when you arrive in the park.

14. Drive the Desert View Drive

While there is a lot of infrastructure and shuttles servicing the western side of the Grand Canyon, the eastern side (basically from the South Kaibab Trail eastward) does not have shuttles running, and this area has a lot fewer services.

This meant that the eastern section of the park was definitely less popular and less trafficked than the western region, but it was really beautiful! As you drive along the Desert View Drive (aka Highway 64), you’ll be among the juniper forests, with several impressive overlooks (plus a few extra unnamed overlooks) to stop at.

There are also several picnic areas that are just un-named pulloffs on Highway 64, with picnic tables in the middle of the woods.

➡️ Fun, Educational Activites for Kids at the Grand Canyon

Our children have had a great time participating in these educational activities at the Grand Canyon – all are free, interesting, and engaging activities for children of varying ages.

15 . Jr Ranger Program

Every National Park in the United States (and many other sites in the National Park Service system) offer a Junior Rangers program for kids. To participate, ask for a Jr Rangers booklet at the Visitor’s Center. You’ll be given a really well-designed, fun, and interactive booklet with pages of activities to complete as you tour the Grand Canyon.

Usually, kids are required to finish between 5-8 pages (depending on their age), and then they can get the book checked by a park ranger, and awarded a Junior Ranger badge. These wooden badges are different and unique for each park you visit, and are a fun activity and collectable to get from a trip to the Grand Canyon.

16. Ranger-Led Programs

Our kids have really loved the interactive and engaging Ranger Programs found at National Parks, making this a great activity for children at the Grand Canyon. Rangers lead discussions, show great hands-on visuals, and do demonstrations centered around wildlife, geology, plant life, history, and more.

Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 3pm to participate in these free programs (this time can change throughout the year, so check the times the day you arrive).

17. Yavapai Geology Museum

The Yavapai Geology Museum is a great stop at the Grand Canyon with kids, particularly during the heat of the day when you may need a break from the sun!

This is a small museum, but it has some really interesting displays. Annotated displays at the base of the panoramic windows show you where to look to see each group of rocks.

There’s a model of a cross-section of the canyon walls, which points out different layers and the geologic history of each section of the rock.

Our kids particularly enjoyed the large, topographical 3D map, which shows a detailed view of the canyon, and can be touched and explored up close.

➡️ Spot Wildlife

Observing the animals and wildlife around the Grand Canyon was one of our kids’ favorite part of our visit – and there are many animals to watch for in the area. Here are the most common:

Elk are very common sightings at the Grand Canyon. You’ll almost certainly see some walking along the road when you’re shuttling, or maybe even by a water station. In many ways, elk look like essentially very big deer.

We saw this elk hanging around the water spigots at the South Kaibab Trailhead. The water is enclosed because elk regularly come, try to get the water, and break the spigots.

Despite the elk being very accustomized to humans, you should not approach, touch, feed, or water the elk.

That being said, this particular elk was incredibly curious, and actually came up behind our 9 year-old daughter when she was sitting on some rocks and started licking her hair! (Probably for the salt content in her sweaty hair) We all laughed, but then quickly moved away from the elk.

You may also run into them at in the nearby campgrounds at and around the Grand Canyon.

19. Wild Horses

While wild horses don’t live in the national park itself, we did see some horses roaming freely on the sides of the road on Highway 64, as we were 5-10 minutes away from the entrance. We talked to a ranger inside the park and they said that yes, there are wild horses that live just outside the park.

So, watch the sides of the road as you approach the Grand Canyon and maybe you’ll see them too!

20 . Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are a common animal to see in the Grand Canyon. They can scramble impresively well on the sides of the cliffs. Keep your eyes open for them as you do hikes down into the canyon – we saw this guy on the Bright Angel Trail!

21. Condors

The California Condor is a very rare and endangered bird found in the American southwest. It is also the largest bird in North America – they weight around 20 lbs and have a wingspan of almost 10 feet!

You can regularly see these birds gliding around the Grand Canyon – they have a very hooked nose and a “fingered” wing tips. Mojave viewpoint is an especially good place to spot them.

While not wild animals, mules are one domesticated animal very common and traditional to the Grand Canyon. These hardy and strong animals have been used since the 1800’s to transport people and goods from the rim to the river, and back again.

Remember, mules on the trails have the right of way, and don’t be surprised if you see mule poop while you’re hiking.

23. Lizards and Snakes

As it is the desert, it probably comes as no surprise that the Grand Canyon is home to reptiles. There are 41 species of lizards, snakes, and tortoises in the Grand Canyon. While many of the little lizards you’ll see are harmless, some snakes and the gila monster lizard are poisonous, so just keep some distance if you see a snake or very large lizard.

While we saw some cute little lizards, we didn’t see any snakes when we were at the Grand Canyon with our kids. Snakes generally try to avoid humans, so it’s rather unlikely you’ll see one when you’re staying in the higher trafficked areas closer to the rim.

➡️ Enjoy Amenities at Grand Canyon Village

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon has a lot of amenities and infrastructure. While the viewpoints, hiking trailheads, and other attractions are spread out along the miles of the south rim, a lot of the infrastructure is centered around the Grand Canyon Village.

This area is right by the Bright Angel Trailhead and includes 5 hotels and lodges, as well as restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, gift shops, a clinic, garage for car repairs, kennel, the Lookout Studio, the Verkamp’s Visitor Center, and the Train Depot.

➡️ Adventure Activities

These three adventure activities are perfect for doing something a little bit off the beaten path when visiting the Grand Canyon with kids.

24. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway

This train ride on the Grand Canyon Railway is an extremely fun and entertaining way to experience the “wild west” and get some time with in the canyon. You’ll start at the 1908 historic train depot in the town of Williams, about 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon. At the depot, you’ll see a Wild West re-enactment, and then onboard the train you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of the Kaibab Forest, music from strolling musicians, an Old West train robbery, and “ the antics of western characters as they recreate train travel as it was back in 1901 .”

When you arrive at the historic 1910 Grand Canyon Depot, you’ll have several hours to explore the Grand Canyon, and then hop back on the train to take it back to your origin point.

This is a very exciting way to spend a day in the Grand Canyon with children, with all the re-creations and nods to the Old Wild West.

👉Check rates and availability for the Grand Canyon Railway here

25. Take a Mule Ride

Riding mules in the Grand Canyon has long been a way for people to get people and supplies down into the canyon. Today, at the south rim, you can participate in one of two different mule riding activities.

The first is a 2 hour long mule ride that goes along the rim. You’re with a guide, who stops several times to give explanations of what you are seeing.

The second option is much more involved and gives you the incredible experience of riding a mule down into the canyon, all the way to the Phanton Ranch (about 10 miles down and in). You’ll stay the night at the ranch, and then ride the mules back up to the rim.

These experiences are very popular, so you need to reserve well in advance! Additionally, currently the mule rides to Phantom Ranch are suspended due to restoration projects in the Grand Canyon – but they will resume in the future.

You can get more information about the mule rides here .

26. Take a Helicopter Ride Over the Grand Canyon

Want a rush of adrenaline as you experience the Grand Canyon from an entirely new angle? This helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon takes you on a long 45-minute ride with bird’s eye views over the vast chasms in the rock. You’ll take off from the town of Tusayan, and watching the trees stop and the ground open up into the canyon below you is an experience you won’t soon forget.

👉Check rates and availability for this helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon here

➡️ Bonus Activity!

27 . visit horseshoe bend.

Horseshoe Bend is only 1 hour 45 minutes from Desert View WatchTower (the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon), and is an absolutely gorgeous place. It’s also basically a precursor to the Grand Canyon, as the river that wraps itself around the rocks at Horseshoe Bend is the same Colorado River that cuts through the Grand Canyon.

Horseshoe Bend is located right outside of Page, Arizona, and entrance fee is $10 per car, and a 20 minute walk to reach the overlook. There’s an official, paved viewpoint with a railing, but there are also long stretches of open rock where you can walk around, explore, and get some pictures without the railing.

My kids liked climbing up that little hill you see on the right side of the picture below (this is just to the right of the official viewpoint)

While there isn’t a railing along this open edge, in most places the rock is actually tilted up at the edge, making it much harder to just fall off.

And of course, from Page, Arizona, you can easily go kayaking on Lake Powell, do more hikes around Page , or even extend the road trip by visiting Monument Valley, 4 Corners, or Mesa Verde National Park .

Practical Information for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Children

Hours and entrance fees.

Opening Hours: The Grand Canyon is open 24/7

Fees : A single vehicle costs $35. This is good for one week and covers both the North Rim and South Rim. If you are going to visit a few national parks (or sites within the National Park Service), its definitely worth purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass (aka the National Parks Pass). This pass costs $80 and is good for an entire year.

Where to Stay When Visiting the Grand Canyon with Kids

Inside the park.

There are quite a few options for hotels to stay at inside the Grand Canyon National Park. Most of these hotels are located in the Grand Canyon Village. If you want to stay inside the park, you’ll definitely want to book early, as rooms regularly sell out.

Here’s a brief run-down of your options:

✔️ Bright Angel Lodge : This historic lodge has views of the Grand Canyon, a history room with exhibits, two restaurants and a coffee shop, and is right on a shuttle stop. 👉 Check availability here

✔️ El Tovar Hotel: This hotel is the most upscale hotel on the South Rim, and is a National Historic Landmark. It has views of the canyon. 👉 Check availability here

✔️ Kachina Lodge: This is the most contemporary of the hotel options on the South Rim. It also has Grand Canyon views 👉 Check availability here

✔️Thunderbird Lodge : Another option in the Village, has Grand Canyon views 👉 Check availability here

✔️ Maswik Lodge: Has a cafeteria and a pizzeria on site, is a budget-friendly lodging option, is right at a shuttle stop. 👉 Check availability here

✔️ Yavapai Lodge: This budget-friendly lodge has a restaurant, coffee shop ,and shuttle stop, but no Grand Canyon views. This is the only hotel on the list not in Grand Canyon Village. 👉 Check availability here

✔️ Mather Campground: This campground is in the national park. You can make reservations here .

Outside the Park

The closest town outside of the Grand Canyon is Tusayan, which is about 15 minute drive from the Park. Within Tusayan, the Red Feather Lodge and the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon are two of the highest rated hotels.

Safety Tips

There are a few safety things to consider when visiting the Grand Canyon with you children.

✔️First, make sure you pack plenty of water and vessels for holding water. There are many free water refill stations around the park, and you want to be able to carry several liters of water per person. Heat exhaustion in a very common form of injury in the Grand Canyon. They say it over and over on signs around the canyon, but it is absolutely true – bring more than you think you’ll need.

Know that it gets hotter as you descend from the rim into the canyon. The canyon floor tends to be about 20 degrees hotter than the rim, and even going a few miles down the South Kaibab or Bright Angel Trail results in an increase in air temperature.

✔️While the elk around the Grand Canyon are very used to humans and are not shy at all, they are also wild animals and should not be approached, fed, or given water.

✔️There are many spots in the Grand Canyon where there isn’t any kind of railing protecting you from falling off the cliff. If you have littles, keep a close eye on them as you explore the viewpoints and walk along the rim.

When is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon with kids?

Winter is a great time to visit the Grand Canyon with children, as the weather is chilly during the day, but crowds are low. Highs are usually in the 40’s.

Spring tends to be quite busy during the spring break period of March-April, but the weather is cool and pleasant.

Late spring to early summer is a lovely time to visit, as the weather is mild and the summer crowds haven’t picked up yet.

Summer (July-August) are very hot, and the canyon floor can get well over 100 degrees. This is also the busiest and wettest time of the year to visit. However, if you’re visiting with kids and staying near the rim, it can still be manageable.

How long should I spend at the Grand Canyon with kids?

You can see and do a lot in the Grand Canyon with 1 day. If you have 2 days, you have plenty of time to see and do all the things on this list.

Fall, like late spring, is very beautiful. You can see higher crowds during fall break times.

How do I get around at Grand Canyon National Park?

We’ve discussed biking, walking, and the shuttle buses a bit in previous sections, and I’ll say that all of these are great ways to get around the Grand Canyon. If you drive yourself in, there are several big parking lots by the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center, which is one of the first places you’ll come to after arriving from the South Entrance. However, you’ll either need to take a shuttle bus or walk for a ways along the rim to get to any of the viewpoints or trails from this parking lot.

There is some parking by the Verkamp Visitor’s Center, but this lot was quite a bit smaller. When we visited at the beginning of June, the lot filled up by 8am and stayed full until sunset. There is also a limited amount of parking in the Grand Canyon Village area.

What to Bring

Here are a few of our must-have’s for visiting the Grand Canyon:

Camelbacks – These backpacks are designed to hold a water bladder and have a little straw you can sling over your shoulder to easily take a sip of water. They are incredibly helpful for carrying enough water and staying hydrated when exploring the Grand Canyon.

Sunscreen Stick: We always have this stick with us to easily apply sunscreen to little faces.

Body Sunscreen: This is my absolute favorite “regular” sunscreen. It’s a high SPF, and is very thin, so it spreads and rubs in really easily. This is the best sunscreen I’ve tried and a bottle lasts forever.

Hiking Backpack: This is an awesome backpack for traveling and hiking. It’s not too big, not too small, has a whole bunch of pockets and pouches to keep things separated and organized, and can hold plenty of snacks and water bottles.

You also don’t want to forget:

• Hats : For more sun protection
• A light jacket: Even in the summer, evenings can get chilly

South Rim vs North Rim

We’ve visited both the South Rim and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and each side has a unique feel and their own set of pros/cons. The South Rim has a lot more infrastructure, is bigger, has shuttles, and there are more viewpoints and hikes to see. The North Rim is smaller, no shuttles, and has less to see. We did feel like the mesas and rock formations in the Grand Canyon were closer to the North Rim than the South Rim. However, you can see farther along the rim at the South Rim.

The South Rim is open all year long, but the North Rim is closed during winter. The North Rim is also 2000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim, so it is cooler on the north side.

In general, we felt that there were similar amounts of people on the North Rim versus the South Rim (while the North Rim does have less people, there are also less places to visit, so there ended up being a similar level of crowds for the most part).

Kid-Friendly Activities at the Grand Canyon – The Wrap Up

Visiting the Grand Canyon is a great family vacation – the views will blow them away, and there are tons of activities and hikes to keep everyone in the family happy and entertained. This has been a highlight trip for our family, and I’m sure it will be for yours too.

Planning a Roadtrip Around the Southwest? Check Out My Other Articles:

Zion National Park: Top 7 Hikes in Zion, Ranked How to Hike the Narrows in Winter

Bryce Canyon One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Las Vegas 20 Incredible Things to Do in Valley of Fire State Park 10 Best Things to Do in Cathedral Gorge State Park

Moab The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Arches National Park How to Do the Fiery Furnace Hike in Arches How to Hike Tower Arch

Other Southern Utah How to Hike Peekaboo and Spooky Gulch Slot Canyons 9 Best Hikes in Snow Canyon State Park (St. George, Utah)

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Stephanie is the author of The Unknown Enthusiast. She's visited 21 countries and 37 of the 50 US states (but her first love will always be France). When she's not traveling, she enjoys reading, taking naps, playing games, eating popcorn, and spending time with her husband (Matthew) and 4 daughters. Stephanie lives in Alabama, USA.

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1-Week Grand Canyon Itinerary For Families: A Family Road Trip Through Sedona, Las Vegas, & More

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What better way to take a family adventure than with this 1-week Grand Canyon itinerary for families? The Grand Canyon is an iconic destination for families, with its famous red rock and craters. However, if you want to plan a trip here, you could also extend your time by taking a family road trip through the Southwest! This Grand Canyon itinerary for families includes the national park as part of a larger family vacation visiting Las Vegas, Sedona, and more destinations in Arizona. While many choose to visit the South Rim only, we’ve included options for both the North Rim and the South Rim, plus tips on things to do, where to stay, and more. Here’s a 1-Week Grand Canyon Itinerary For Families! 

The Best Grand Canyon Itinerary For Visiting The North Rim With Kids

While many families tend to start a Grand Canyon itinerary by flying into Phoenix, if you want to make the most out of your experience and see the North Rim, our Families Who Love To Travel group members suggest that you could also fly into Las Vegas. Keep reading to find out more! 

Day 1: Las Vegas (Seven Magic Mountains, Red Rock Canyon, Valley Of The Fire)

While Las Vegas is known for its incredible nightlife, it also offers a lot of things to do with kids. For example, if you want something that doesn’t require much energy, you can head to Seven Magic Mountains . Located about 10 miles south of downtown, it’s an art installation on public land near Las Palmas Avenue on Interstate 15 at the 215 Beltway. Created by Ugo Rondinone, the semi-circle of enormous boulders is made up of seven types of concrete cones, some reaching as high as 115 feet into the air. It’ll surely wow your kids enough to make them want to stop and take a picture! 

Afternoon Activity: Red Rock Canyon

Located about a half-hour from Las Vegas, families can also make the trip to see Red Rock Canyon . Once you arrive, there’s a small visitor’s center, where you can pick up brochures and maps for self-guided hikes. A 16-mile scenic drive takes you through the spectacular canyon with towering red stone cliffs, monoliths, and dramatic landscapes. Kid-friendly trails include the Lost Creek Trail (0.6 miles), the Children’s Discovery Loop Trail (0.8 miles), and the Red Springs Boardwalk (0.5 miles). Kids will love exploring the natural habitat of pheasants, hawks, and mule deer. You can also check out the petroglyphs near the visitor center.

Alternate Activity: Valley Of The Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is one of the most visited parks in Nevada. Located around an hour from Las Vegas, the park features beautiful red sandstone rocks, including the famous “Rocks Within The Rocks.” 

Though it can be a bit difficult for kids, there’s also no shortage of hiking trails here. The White Domes Trail (1.1 miles), Mouse’s Tank Trail, (0.8 miles), and the Rainbow Vista Trail (1.1 miles), all provide breathtaking views of the landscape, though they can be a bit steep at times. If you have time, explore by foot and see ancient petroglyphs from people who lived here centuries ago. 

More Things To Do In Las Vegas With Kids

Need more things to do in Vegas with kids? Visit the Fountains of Bellagio to see them illuminated. Families can also take a gondola ride at The Venetian. Plus, Vegas is famous for its live shows; some are kid-friendly, like Cirque du Soleil ! Anyone with a sweet tooth can’t miss The Sugar Factory Vegas or Coca-Cola Store; get a birds-eye view of the Las Vegas strip on the High Roller or say hello to some of your favorite marine life at the Shark Reef Aquarium . Read our list of the best things to do in Las Vegas with kids to learn more! 

Where To Stay in Las Vegas With Kids

The Venetian and Palazzo offer both suites and villas, complete with a pool. There is also the Luxor Hotel & Casino, which has a family suite, but it doesn’t have a pool. Another one of the best places to stay for families is the Wynn Las Vegas , which has the largest hotel room in the world! For more information on the best hotels in Las Vegas for families, check out our list. 

Day 2: Zion National Park (Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk)

Zion National Park , with its majestic cliffs and serene valleys, is a good place to continue your Grand Canyon itinerary for families! Around two and a half hours from Las Vegas, it boasts a striking red-cliff landscape, natural rock arches, and a widespread Zion Canyon. Plus, it’s a particularly great location for families with young kids, given its on-site shuttle, accommodations, and light beginner trails.

Visit the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to get oriented and learn about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. You could even grab breakfast at the Red Rock Grill in Zion Lodge. Then, hike the 3-mil e Emerald Pools Trail and you’ll come across spring-fed pools, glorious canyon views, and gushing waterfalls. After completing the hike, head back to the Zion Lodge for a picnic lunch, or grab a bite to eat at the Castle Dome Cafe. In the afternoon, take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava and hike the Riverside Walk , a paved trail that follows the Virgin River and offers breathtaking views of the canyon walls. If time allows, take a dip in the river to cool off before heading back! 

Day 3: Zion National Park (Angels Landing, The Narrows)

Families with older children or daredevil teens can also hike Angels Landing , a thrilling 5-mile hike with a steep drop. Weeping Rock Trail is even shorter at around a mile, though nonetheless brilliant! Our contributors also recommend The Narrows hike for daredevil families willing to walk through water. Depending on your chosen path, the hike can last anywhere from 10 miles to 2 miles round trip. To see the iconic Wall Street section of the canyon, you need to hike at least 6 miles round trip, 4 of which require wading in the Virgin River surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs. 

If you’d much prefer to see Zion National Park from the comfort of your car, however, The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive also showcases a driving trail with commanding views.

Where To Stay Near Zion National Park With Kids

Zion National Park has plenty of nearby accommodations for families. For maximum convenience, try staying at the Zion Lodge , as this is the only hotel in the park. We also suggest the Cable Mountain Lodge , SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park , and Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton , among other options on our list of where to stay in Zion with kids.  

Day 4: Page (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell)

From Zion National Park, families can drive to Page, Arizona, which is around two hours away. Nestled near Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend – and on the way to Grand Canyon National Park, it’s the perfect place to stop for a night or two before heading on your way. 

Visit the mesmerizing Antelope Canyon first. This slot canyon boasts mesmerizing rock formations and sunbeam-filled crevices, creating an otherworldly sight that captures the imagination of both adults and children alike. Antelope Canyon offers guided tours of the Upper Canyon, which last around an hour and 45 minutes. For an adrenaline rush, families can also hike to the edge of Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where the Colorado River runs through a horseshoe-shaped curve amidst the desert landscape. 

Afternoon Activity: Lake Powell

Next, take a scenic boat tour of Lake Powell , exploring hidden coves and towering red rock formations, providing opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. To explore by sea, families can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, or even boats, available from access points onshore. 

Lounge on sandy beaches at Antelope Poin t in Arizona, or Wahweap if you’re on the Utah side. Located in Arizona’s Bullfrog Bay, Hobie and Stanton Beach are also popular with kids, featuring accessible swimming and nearby facilities. Aside from relaxing seaside, also take advantage of its endless nature walks! 

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim)

From Page, you’ll be around two and a half hours away from Grand Canyon National Park. Since you’ll be approaching from Utah, we suggest heading toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Located at a higher elevation, it provides cooler temperatures and a more secluded atmosphere. It’s also less crowded than the South Rim, making it an ideal destination for families seeking a quieter experience. 

Families can start their exploration of the park by taking a scenic drive along the North Rim’s main road. It has amazing views of the canyon and its surrounding landscape! To immerse yourself in nature, hike one of the many trails that wind through the area, such as the 0.5-mile Bright Angel Point Trail or the 0.8-mile Cape Royal Trail. Along the way, watch for wildlife, including deer, elk, and even the occasional California condor! For a more relaxed outing, pack a picnic and enjoy a meal at one of the North Rim’s designated picnic areas. 

Use this Exciting 5-Day Sedona Itinerary For Families to plan your Sedona adventures!

Alternate/Additional Activity: South Rim

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is more accessible and crowded than its North Rim. If you want to drive further from Page, you could access the South Rim in about an hour extra. Or, you could visit the North Rim your first day and spend your second day on the South Rim, depending on how long you want your Grand Canyon itinerary for families to be.

Families love the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Ah Point. Located on the South Rim, it’s accessible by a shuttle from the Visitor’s Center. A round-trip to Ooh Ah Point is around 1.8 miles, so even though it’s a bit steep, it should be fine for most kids. If you plan to go further, set aside at least two hours or more. For lunch, you can grab burgers at the Bright Angel Lodge. There aren’t a lot of food options inside the park, and there’s a very long line to get back in. 

After lunch, hike to the Shoshone Point Trail, which isn’t marked on any maps. This easy walk provides an unbelievable view! Don’t forget to grab gelato at Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory ! 

Where To Stay Near The Grand Canyon With Kids

If you need somewhere to stay near Grand Canyon National Park with kids, consider El Tovar Hotel . It’s a 15-minute walk from the Grand Canyon Village, has an on-site restaurant, and offers free parking. Some other hotels on the South Rim for families include Thunderbird Lodge and the Bright Angel Lodge . 

Optional Stop Between The Grand Canyon and Sedona: Bearizona

Families who want to add an extra day to their Grand Canyon itinerary can also stop at Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, Arizona. Encompassing a gorgeous property within Arizona’s Ponderosa Pine Forest, visitors can explore 160 acres of lush habitats belonging to North American animals.  You can even do it directly from your own car!

During this 3-mile drive, you can see black bears, white wolves, and more unique animals along the way! Deer, bison, and caribou are also often spotted, alongside the occasional hunting jaguar! Feeling ambitious? You can climb aboard the Wild Ride Bus Tour , available four times a day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whether you choose to venture solo or with a guide, kids will love Bearizona for its playful inhabitants, always ready to put on a smile on your face.

Day 6: Sedona (ATV Tour, Cathedral Rock Overlook, Slide Rock State Park) 

From the Grand Canyon, families can drive two or three hours south to Sedona, the last stop on this itinerary! Famous for its red rock scenery and focus on wellness and healing, this central Arizona city is a great place to visit with outdoorsy kids of all ages.

ATVs are a popular way to get around Sedona, especially through stunning backcountry areas. T here are plenty of other rental companies to choose from, including Sedona ATV Rentals . Some offer ATVs to rent and drive, while others offer tours around Sedona. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to travel through the rugged and beautiful Red Rock Country, especially with preteens or teens. After, you can grab lunch at Golden Goose American Grill. 

Or, families can also go on a Broken Arrow Pink Jeep Tour. This rugged off-roading adventure takes families down deep descents and through Sedona’s most beautiful backroads. We suggest booking a tour close to sunset for the best views! 

Afternoon Activity: Slide Rock State Park

In the afternoon, drive around 10 minutes outside of Sedona to Slide Rock State Park. Within this natural oasis, you’ll find an 80-foot-long slide. Kids will love the slippery, fun, and wild ride down! Plus, since the swimming area is 1.5 miles long, there are many places to splash too. We suggest wearing water shoes to help grip the slippery rock bottom. Some families also bring a picnic to eat, but since we already had lunch, we didn’t. 

After, visit the Cathedral Rock Overlook , accessible via the Cathedral Rock Trail. This 1.2-mile hike is rated as intermediate, as there are some steeper uphill parts. Still, if you’re visiting Sedona with adventurous kids, it’ll be worth it! (Daredevil kids can even try rock scrambling!) Cathedral Rock provides some of the best views of Sedona’s red rocks, including Bell Rock. Remember: this is a popular hike and parking often fills up fast. For dinner, head to Mole Restaurant !

Day 7: Devils Bridge, Bell Rock Pathway, Airport Overlook

One of the most popular hikes in Sedona is the 3.9-mile Devils Bridge Trail in the nearby Coconino National Forest. We suggest arriving early and setting aside three hours to see everything. It’s usually crowded, especially along the stunning natural rock bridge that gives this trail its name. You can walk below it, or to satisfy your inner daredevil, you can walk on top of it!

There aren’t many casual and quick lunch spots around, but we suggest Famous Pizza.   Then, if you have the energy, rent bikes from Absolute Bikes to take along the Bell Rock Pathway . If your kids are up for a challenge, it’s beautiful and you can also hike it. Families can also hike the 0.9-mile Airport Overlook Trail to reach the Sedona Airport Overlook, one of the most scenic spots in Sedona!

Alternate Activity: Tlaquepaque Village

If you’d rather spend the afternoon relaxing, you can also check out Tlaquepaque Village . This quaint outdoor market is lovely to wander around, as cobblestone paths lead families under decorated archways. You’ll also find countless art galleries, craft shops, and other interesting boutiques to stop in. 

When you’re feeling hungry, check out The Secret Garden Cafe. Located inside the northern entrance of Tlaquepaque Village , this cozy European-style bistro has healthy and delicious options. There’s even a specific kids’ menu with quesadillas, grilled cheese, mini burgers, etc. 

Where To Stay In Sedona With Kids

For somewhere to stay in Sedona with kids, check out the Enchantment Resort , a luxury hotel located in the heart of Boynton Canyon. Tucked in the red rock canyons, L’Auberge de Sedona offers a choice of rooms at its lodge or even more spacious cottages. We also recommend Adobe Grand Villas , Amara Resort and Spa , and Junipine Resort , among other hotels in Sedona for families.

Day 8: Fly Home From Phoenix

Spend the last day of your Grand Canyon itinerary for families in Phoenix. Since it’s one of the nearest major airports, it’s a good place to end your trip. You could visit some family-friendly attractions here too, including Camelback Mountain . If you need somewhere to stay overnight before flying back, consider the Westin Kierland or more options on our list of the best hotels in Phoenix for families! 

Alternate Route For A Grand Canyon Itinerary For Families

We started this Grand Canyon itinerary for families in Las Vegas as an alternative to many other itineraries that start in Phoenix and include the South Rim. This is a great option if you’re looking to incorporate the Grand Canyon as part of a larger southwest itinerary for families, since you can add in extra cities such as Las Vegas and also see Zion National Park. However, here’s another route if you want to start in Phoenix:

• Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix around mid-afternoon. Rent a car from the airport, then take the two-hour drive to The Wilde Resort and Spa Sedona. Take the route through Cornville and parents can stop for a drink at Page Spring Cellars. 
• Day 2: Spend this day exploring some of Sedona’s famous attractions, like the Boynton Canyon Trail or the Devils Bridge Trail. 
• Day 3: Since you’ll be in Sedona, you can also visit nearby spots like Jerome or Old Cottonwood.
• Day 4: On day 4 of your Grand Canyon itinerary for families, head to the South Rim. You can hike the South Kebab Trail to Ooh Aah Point and then grab ice cream at Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory.  
• Day 5: From the Grand Canyon, make your way toward Page or Kanab if you want to continue your trip to spots like Antelope Canyon, Bryce National Park, or Zion National Park. 

From here, you could also head back toward Sedona and extend your itinerary there. Or, spend a few extra days in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tuscon and fly home from there. 

Check out this Amazing Sedona and Grand Canyon Itinerary For Families to learn more! 

Happy Travels!

We hope you liked this 1-Week Grand Canyon Itinerary For Families! From Sedona to Las Vegas, there are plenty of stops along the way to make your trip even more memorable. Enjoy your next Grand Canyon adventure with your kids!

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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Complete Guide to Visiting the Grand Canyon with Kids

How To Plan An Epic Vacation to the Grand Canyon with Kids

Visiting the Grand Canyon with kids truly offers an experience of a lifetime for families. Trips to the Grand Canyon is a memory maker at any age. Although many hikes are considered extreme for the average person, there are plenty of family-friendly hiking trails.

You may also prefer to drive up to some of the sightseeing spots without veering too far from the main destinations. Visiting the Grand Canyon is such a fun experience, avoid thinking you have to do and see everything. Stick to a few fun plans and embrace this beautiful destination!

Visitors tend to underestimate the park’s size, so try to map out the things you want to see before you arrive. Planning certain activities around non-peak hours will help you to break away from the crowd as much as possible. We hope the following guide will help you plan the best vacation to the Grand Canyon with kids.

Best Hikes and Things To Do at the Grand Canyon with Kids

It is also important to keep in mind the elevation change if you choose to descend the canyon and prioritize safety wherever you walk since the drop-offs can be very dangerous. Here are our favorite 5 hikes to do with kids:

1. The South Rim Trail s

This mostly paved trail is great for younger kids and has some fun and exciting views of the inner canyon. Don’t be alarmed when you see that this is a 13-mile trail, you can hike until you feel that you’re ready to make your way back. You’ll find that there is some shade on this trail and it has a lot to offer even if you’re only hiking for a couple of miles.

2. Bright Angel Trails

This is one of the best hiking trails with kids, especially younger kids. It’s a short and easy, paved half-mile round-trip hike. You’ll find the trailhead located near the visitors center. You’ll experience breathtaking views of the North Rim from this trial and the kids will love the marine fossils embedded in the rocks that they’ll discover along the way.

3. Bridle Trail

Bridle Trail is a three-mile round trip on the North Rim. It’s a great trail for hikers of all ages and skill levels. You’ll be walking through a forest and it’s a great place to ride bikes or take a leisurely stroll. We visited the Grand Canyon with our dog and this trail does allow leashed animals. 

4. Cape Royal Trail

This is another short trail that’s only a half-mile round-trip. It is paved and has some breathtaking views of the canyon. Cape Royal Trail is another short, approximately 30-minute hike that also comes out to a half-mile round trip. This path is on the North Rim.

5. Roosevelt Point Trail

Short and sweet– the Roosevelt Point Trail is ideal for families. The trail is only a 15-20 minute hike making it a great one for kids. We started with a couple of these shorter trails and the kids did really well starting slow and working our way up to some of the longer hikes.

Other Activities for Kids

There are other attractions and fun experiences that cater to kids. A couple of our favorites are stops along Route 66 to the park’s Junior Ranger program . Make a game out of spotting canyon wildlife, including the California Condor, Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, Ringtail Gray Fox, and several birds, rodents, and reptiles.

How to Explore the Grand Canyon with a Family

For many, the Grand Canyon is thought of as a long drive ending in a quick stop for breathtaking views, but this iconic national park is much more than a photo opportunity. However, there are plenty of ways to explore the 227-mile-long canyon and enjoy every part of your visit.

The Grand Canyon is known for its hiking trails, with dozens of paths to choose from. The South Rim Trail is the most popular, which starts at the South Rim. This trail is often recommended for families since there are many restrooms and shade stops along the way, and incredible sightseeing is accessible without having to complete the full hike.

The Visitor Center is located in Grand Canyon Village (South Rim) and should be your first stop to get your bearings and ask any questions you may have before setting off. Just next door are  Bright Angel Bicycles and Cafe At Mather Point. Rent from a variety of bicycles and enjoy the safe, paved path on the canyon rim. They offer bike rental rates for both kid and adult bikes as well as burley trailer & tag along rentals ( burley trailers hold up to 100 pounds and are equipped with 2 seats and seat belts.  It is recommended parents bring their own car seat for any child younger than 2 years old.)  

The Grand Canyon Railway offers a completely unique experience, full of history and fun for the whole family. The train ride starts in Williams, Arizona, and continues to the canyon, packing in canyon sightseeing and entertainment along the way. What kid wouldn’t be thrilled to take a train to the Grand Canyon?!

Yes, you can experience the Grand Canyon on a mule ride! Starting in the South Rim, mule trips are offered year-round and offer a fantastic way to enjoy the trails without committing to hiking on foot. Note that children must be over the age of nine and at least 57 inches tall. We have a couple of younger kids who were not old enough to ride the mules when we visited but they’ve asked that we come back to give it try when they’re older. We saw several groups riding mules and it looked like a lot of fun!

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is one of the most popular stops in the park, located at the Hualapai-owned Grand Canyon West. The glass-floor bridge steps out 70 feet at about a mile over the canyon floor. Those with a fear of heights may prefer to enjoy the view from the Sky View restaurant (reservations are recommended). The kids will love eating a cheeseburger and seeing the incredible view!

Dry clay is probably the first image that comes to mind when you think of the Grand Canyon, but you can actually float through it, too! The Colorado River streams through the canyon, and there are a few tour companies that offer single or multi-day rafting expeditions for adults and older kids.

We’ve been rafting with our kids a couple of times in other destinations and it’s a lot of fun. It’s definitely an experience better suited for an adventurous family with older kids.

Safari-Style Tour 

No one will have better advice on how to best experience the canyon than the local experts, so whether it is a walking, rafting, or driving tour, anyone will benefit from a tour guide. Even safari-style tours are available and will show you the best sunset views, sightseeing lookouts, and historic monuments. 

Helicopter (a special treat for mom and dad)

If you are planning a special trip or want to get the absolute best view of the canyon you can book a helicopter tour with one of the area’s many tour companies. It may not be the best option for a family trip or those traveling on a budget, but the helicopter experience is perfect for a special occasion.

Packing List for the Grand Canyon

Make sure to come prepared with more snacks and drinks to stay hydrated and energized than you would typically pack for an outdoor trip.  Here are a few other items that we appreciated having on our visit.

Reusable Water Bottle : Bringing plenty of water is a top priority when exploring the Grand Canyon.

External Battery : You’re going to want to take a lot of family photos on this trip so come prepared with a way to recharge your phone.

BackPack : You’re going to want a backpack to hold everything you need for a day out with the kids. A durable one made for the outdoors is best.

Sunscreen : Don’t forget the sunscreen! It can be easy to forget about sunscreen when you’re on shaded trails but a few too many minutes in the sun can result in a nasty sunburn.

Hand Sanitizer : If you ride the shuttle bus you’re going to want to carry some hand sanitizer with you.  

Carabiners : Anyone who has ever traveled with me will tell you that I’m obsessed with carabiners. The truth is, vacationing with three kids meant that I needed to keep my hands free so I’ve just attached everything to my backpack with carabiners.

Baby Wipes : Yes, this is even for those families without babies in diapers. Baby wipes are a staple in our hiking bag, there are so many times that they’ve come in handy for us.

Rain Ponchos : Sometimes a rain shower sneaks up on you. These rain ponchos are easy to pack and you won’t know how much you love them until you need them.

Binoculars for Kids : These came in handy during our visit and I highly recommend having a pair of binoculars to make exploring even more fun for the kids.

Where to Stay When Visiting the Grand Canyon

There are many options for families when it comes to lodging options for your vacation to the Grand Canyon. We will mention it several more times but be sure to make all of your reservations as far in advance as possible.

Camping and RVing

Many people will claim that the best way to get the full Grand Canyon experience is to camp at one of the park’s recommended campgrounds or RV parks. Camping is the most adventurous way to enjoy the canyon’s natural beauty, catching every moment of the sunsets and sunrises illuminating the clay surroundings. You won’t want to miss the breathtaking starry sky and sounds of wildlife in the quiet night. It’s also a budget-friendly option for families.

We stayed in an RV at the Trailer Village. We loved that we could walk to the shuttle and get to several walking trails and restaurants (even a grocery store) without having to drive anywhere. Due to the popularity of RVing, it’s recommended that you make reservations as soon as possible.

We highly recommend renting an RV for this type of family vacation. We saved money by cooking all of our meals in the RV and we loved the entire experience. We rented our RV through RVshare and will continue to rent RVs for our future family road trips.

Family-friendly Hotels

Stay right in Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim at the El Tovar hotel , the Bright Angel Lodge , or Yavapai Lodge  (voted a favorite by many visitors). If you are making the trip to the canyon floor, spend the night at Phantom Lodge before traveling back to the top. When the North Rim is open (May-October), you can stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge .

Alternatively, there are plenty of hotel options in nearby towns like Tusayan, Williams, or Flagstaff. Keep in mind that reservations tend to fill up, so try to book far in advance.

Vacation Rental

Another great option is to stay at a nearby Vrbo and drive to the canyon for day trips, this is a popular option for families. There are plenty of kid-friendly rentals for private homes, hotel suites, historic ranches and cabins, or even RV’s and trailers.

When traveling with a family, vacation rentals can often be just as or more affordable than hotels. You can enjoy a socially distant vacation by staying in a vacation rental and not a crowded hotel.

Regardless of how you choose to visit the Grand Canyon, have fun and enjoy your visit, and remember that you are experiencing one of the Seven Wonders of the World!

Read more: Check out this other fun gem in Arizona– The Petrified National Forest .

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Exploring the Grand Canyon with Kids: A Family Adventure Guide

Gear up for an incredible family adventure at the Grand Canyon! This natural wonder, stretching over 277 miles and plunging more than a mile deep, is perfect for families who love the outdoors. Packed with exciting hikes, family activities, and stunning vistas, our guide makes your trip planning simple, covering the best times to visit, kid-friendly trails, rest stops, dining, and lodging. Get ready for a stress-free, memorable trip to the Grand Canyon with kids!

When to Visit the Grand Canyon

The ideal times to visit the Grand Canyon with kids are spring and fall, offering milder weather and fewer crowds. Although beautiful year-round, summer can be hot and crowded, while winter may be too chilly for little ones. Explore our guide to the top 5 reasons to visit the Grand Canyon in the fall for more seasonal tips.

Where to Go: North vs. South Rim

The South Rim is more easily accessible and equipped with family-friendly amenities like Grand Canyon Village, ranger-led activities, museums, restaurants, a free park shuttle, and nearby lodging options, making it perfect for first-timers and repeat visitors. For a quieter, more remote experience, consider the peaceful North Rim.

Activities for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Kids

Hike family-friendly trails.

A trip to the Grand Canyon isn’t complete without hiking around the rim and checking out some of the best viewpoints. These are some of the best kid-friendly hikes in the Grand Canyon with kids:

South Rim Trail

This 13-mile paved path near the Visitor Center is perfect for families, even those with strollers. The walkway offers stunning canyon views along the South Rim, connecting popular photo spots and viewpoints. Stretching from Hermit’s Rest to the South Kaibab Trail, you can explore as much or as little as you like and use the park’s free shuttle service to hop between different points. We recommend hiking the 2.5-mile stretch from the Visitor’s Center to Grand Canyon Village for a rewarding scoop of ice cream. The walk takes about an hour with stops and immerses you in the breathtaking beauty of the canyon.

Trail of Time 

Situated along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, this 2.8-mile-long paved trail offers a journey through the past. Designed as a geologic timeline, every meter of the trail represents one million years of the Grand Canyon’s geologic past. As you walk along the Rim Trail, you encounter exhibits that showcase the evolving geology of the area, complete with scopes for observing rock layers within the canyon. Stretching from the Yavapai Geology Museum to Maricopa Point, this paved path is a fusion of education and natural beauty, making for a fascinating stroll.

Bright Angel Trail

Set out on the popular 9.5-mile Bright Angel Trail from the Grand Canyon Village, rich in history from the canyon’s Indigenous Peoples to early miners and explorers. For a more comfortable hike with fewer crowds, start around 8:30 a.m. The trail, featuring natural stone tunnels and shaded spots, has built-in steps in some parts for easy navigation, though caution is needed on rugged and narrow sections. Families can hike as far as they’re comfortable, with key rest or turn-around points like the Second Tunnel, the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, and the Three-Mile Resthouse, offering water and restrooms for a refreshing break.

Visit the Yavapai Museum 

You’ll spot the Yavapai Geology Museum along the Rim Trail near the Visitor Center. Located at Yavapai Point, one of the most scenic spots along the South Rim, the museum offers stunning panoramic canyon views. Inside, interactive exhibits and educational displays bring the canyon’s geological story to life, explaining how its majestic layers were formed over millions of years. The large picture windows provide a perfect vantage point to gaze at the canyon while comparing the real views with the geological explanations. It’s an ideal stop for families, offering an informative and visual experience that enhances understanding of the Grand Canyon’s grandeur. The museum and bookstore are free to enter, and the educational value makes it a must-visit spot for those looking to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this natural wonder.

Enjoy a Picnic at Shoshone Point

Enjoy a delightful family outing by packing a picnic and stroll to Shoshone Point, a serene spot overlooking the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Under Canvas offers the convenience of nutritious, grab-n-go lunches, perfect for families planning a day of exploration. Shoshone Point, located just 10 minutes southeast of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, provides a peaceful retreat from the busier areas of the park. The journey to the point begins at a trailhead with ample parking and leads you on a mile-long, flat, dirt-packed hike, ideal for families. Upon reaching Shoshone Point, you’ll find picnic tables, fire pits, grills, and restroom facilities, making it an excellent spot for a relaxing family picnic. Remember to bring plenty of water, as there are no water fountains along this trail, and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Grand Canyon away from the crowds.

Join the Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program offers a fun and educational way for kids ages four and up to discover the Grand Canyon’s nature and history through interactive activities and ranger-led talks. Families can grab an activity book at the Grand Canyon Conservancy Main Store, Yavapai Geology Museum, or Kolb Studio. Kids learn about conservation while exploring the park and earn a special Junior Ranger badge for completing the program, fostering a sense of accomplishment and a lasting connection to the Grand Canyon.

Take a Private Sightseeing Tour

Experience the best of Grand Canyon National Park with the guidance of an experienced, professional guide. Dive into the rich history, culture, geology, wildlife, and flora & fauna of the area as your guide leads you through iconic sights like Grand Canyon Village, Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and more. This guided tour of the Grand Canyon includes transportation, park entrance fees, a spotting scope for viewing, snacks, water, lunch, and beverages. Ideal for groups of one to four people, with no minimum age requirement, it’s perfect for the entire family.

Stargaze in the Grand Canyon’s Dark Skies

Experience the magic of stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the world at the Grand Canyon. Recognized as a certified International Dark Sky Park, this majestic destination boasts exceptionally dark, well-protected skies, offering pristine night sky views. Whether you choose to gaze at the stars from the canyon rim or enjoy the celestial display at Under Canvas Grand Canyon, both kids and adults are in for a truly enchanting experience. The Grand Canyon’s clear, unpolluted skies provide an ideal backdrop for unforgettable stargazing moments.

Enjoy Camp Programming at Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Connect with family in the great outdoors with an array of complimentary activities , from scavenger hunts and guided hikes to creative arts and crafts like birdhouse designing and canvas painting. As the evening sets in, gather around the fire for delicious nightly s’mores, stargazing, and the soothing sounds of live acoustic music. Enjoy a mix of fun and entertainment with trivia, bingo, movie screenings, and various outdoor games. Learn more about the exciting programming planned during your stay at check-in. Our on-site Guest Experience Coordinators are always ready to assist, ensuring you make the most of on-site activities and off-site adventures.

Explore Tent Options at Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Just 25 minutes from the South Rim entrance, Under Canvas Grand Canyon offers a unique stay in safari-inspired tents, perfectly blending comfort with the great outdoors. Choose from various tent options like the Suite, Stargazer, and Deluxe tents, each accommodating up to four guests, with adjacent kid’s tents and the option for an extra cot. Enjoy modern amenities like private bathrooms with hot showers and flushing toilets. Relax on your private deck under the stars or get cozy by the wood-burning stove as you share the day’s stories while experiencing an elevated outdoor stay that combines natural beauty with contemporary comfort and style.

Tips for a Successful Family Trip to the Grand Canyon

As you prepare for your family adventure to the Grand Canyon, a few key tips can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and enjoyable experience:

• Plan Ahead: Remember to book your stay in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure the best options for your family.
• Pack the Essentials: Sunscreen, hats, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water are a must. Check out our Grand Canyon packing list for a detailed guide.
• Stay Flexible: Be ready to adjust your plans based on the weather and the kids’ energy levels.

Visiting the Grand Canyon with kids is an unforgettable experience. With the right planning and activities, you can ensure an enjoyable and enriching trip for the whole family. Get ready to create lasting memories in one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders.

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Grand Canyon National Park with kids: 7 top things to do

Mar 24, 2023 • 6 min read

From where to stay to where to hike, here's how to make the most of your family's Grand Canyon adventure © benedek / Getty Images

For nature-loving adults and kids, Grand Canyon National Park is the ultimate bucket-list destination. A mile deep, 277 miles long and larger than the state of Rhode Island, it has no shortage of hikes, Colorado River escapades and red-rock-infused vistas for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

When it comes to bringing the kiddos to the Grand Canyon , it’s best to take the elements into consideration and plan carefully. By doing so, you can nip potential headaches – including strenuous hikes, sold-out lodging and the inevitable need for a breather from all the on-foot action – in the bud.

Is Grand Canyon National Park good for kids?

Let’s put it this way: how good a time you and your kids have at Grand Canyon National Park is ultimately contingent on how well things are planned – and, in some instances, booked – ahead of time. This is a place you should opt to bring the things you'd normally consider buying or renting upon arrival, including strollers, extra water, snacks and sun protection (sun hats, glasses and sunscreen).

With the right assets, you can better control any expected or unexpected turn, from taking care of yourself during the park’s sunniest months of the year (March through June) to navigating the periodic off-road patch of the South Rim Trail. If your hiking endeavors extend beyond the South Rim Trail, definitely pack that hiking backpack for your trekking toddler – for the most part, trails within the park range from loose and dirt-dominant to super-rocky.

In terms of an appropriate portion of the Grand Canyon for a kid-centric adventure, the South Rim will be your spot. Compared to its North Rim counterpart, which is typically closed from December through mid-May to all visitors, there are more family-ready restroom facilities and tourist-friendly lookout points, plus the expansive Grand Canyon Village with its souvenirs and exhibits.

1. Take a hike on family-friendly trails

Sure, there are the steep and drop-filled Nankoweap and North Kaibab Trails , which most adults – let alone kids – should steer clear of unless they’re hiking pros . But within Grand Canyon National Park, there are plenty of kid-friendly trails to hit too.

For a primarily paved outing that’s accessible from multiple parking lots, the South Rim Trail between the South Kaibab Trailhead and Hermits Rest offers deep canyon vistas and larger facilities along its 13-mile stretch. If you or the kids tire, there is a free shuttle that stops along the trail every 15 to 30 minutes.

Another option, and easily the park’s most popular, is Bright Angel Trail , which begins in the heart of Grand Canyon Village. To avoid crowds and give the kids a little extra wiggle room on the trails, consider arriving by 8:30am.

2. Pack a picnic and stroll to Shoshone Point

Shoshone Point looks over the South Rim of the canyon and is nicely tucked away from the crowds if you'd like a gentle stroll. Situated approximately 10 minutes southeast of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the entire experience is optimized for a family-friendly adventure.

From the trailhead, which has a sizable parking lot, it’s approximately a mile-long flat and dirt-packed hike to Shoshone Point. There are picnic tables, fire pits, grills and restroom facilities at the end. Make sure to pack water, as there are no fountains along the way.

3. Embark on an adventure with your junior ranger

The National Park Service offers a junior-ranger program at most parks, and the Grand Canyon is no exception. The program encourages kids to learn about local nature and history via a ranger-led talk (and yes, the whole family can participate). At Grand Canyon National Park, you can snag a booklet – and a unique badge after completing activities – at Kolb Studio , Yavapai Geology Museum or the Grand Canyon Visitors Center .

Beyond the junior-ranger program, there is a daily ranger’s-choice program, with topics spanning from California condors to local wildlife. Visitors embark on a 30-minute indoor/outdoor tour from the South Rim Visitor Center , and kids are welcome as long as they're accompanied by an adult.

4. Rent a bike and ride along the South Rim

At some point, you might want to mix things up a bit and take a break from the walking. A bike ride is a great alternative and Bright Angel Bicycles has rentals for the whole family, including kids’ bikes, trailers and tag-along attachments.

From the shop, which is tucked off the super-popular Mather Point viewpoint, head west along the South Rim, where paved roads and bike routes await. The shop also offers guided bike tours, leading along Hermit Road (5.5 miles) as well as to Yaki Point (7 miles).

5. Coast along the Colorado River in a kayak or pontoon boat

The water adventures within and surrounding the canyon include powerful white-water adventures and tranquil rafting trips.

For those wanting to take in the curvy magic of Horseshoe Bend , Wilderness River Adventures has a tranquil, half-day rafting excursion with a discount for kids under 15. Nearby, in Antelope Canyon , local operator Antelope Canyon Boat Tours offers kayak rentals and pontoon-boat tours and rentals.

6. Have a rockin’ day at Yavapai Geology Museum

While taking in Grand Canyon National Park’s beauty, the biggest question any kid has will inevitably be: how did all of this happen? Beyond the exhibits at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the Yavapai Geology Museum is the place for answers.

The space includes three-dimensional models, rotating photo exhibits and a topographical map of the canyon. The expansive window overlooking the canyon is a perfect selfie spot.

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7. Hop on a train to the Canyon

Getting to Grand Canyon National Park is half the fun. For train lovers, the Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from the small town of Williams, Arizona, taking folks on a 65-mile journey through towering hardwood trees to the South Rim.

The vintage rail cars often have Western-inspired entertainers and singers, making for an even more memorable journey. The train departs daily from Williams at 9:30am and leaves the canyon at 2:30pm. Make sure to check the schedule, as it tends to change in November and December.

Where to stay with kids

Campground or lodge? There are ample options in and surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. For kid-friendly camping, Mather Campground is well shaded by Ponderosas and has nearly 330 campsites. Desert View Campground is a more secluded option, tucked near the east entrance of the park, with nearly 50 campsites. Each has restroom facilities and is bookable up to six months in advance, which you’ll want to move on.

Within the park, Yavapai Lodge offers unpretentious rooms and a s’mores kit for kids at the on-site restaurant. Maswik Lodge is equally unassuming, with a pizza pub to satisfy any snack cravings. In many ways, El Tovar is considered the crown jewel of Grand Canyon lodging, with an elegant dining room draped in art inspired by local indigenous communities. The spot has a kids' menu and half-order options for those with smaller appetites.

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10 Best Things to Do with Kids in the Grand Canyon

Ride a bike, take a hike, attend a ranger program, become a junior ranger, watch the stars and more things to do with kids in the canyon..

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1. Become a Junior Ranger

Grand Canyon National Park’s Junior Ranger Program offers an age specific curriculum to help kids learn about the Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural history while participating in fun activities. To earn an official certificate and badge, children are asked to complete four specific age-appropriate activities and attend a ranger-led program.

2. Bike the Rim

Family-friendly biking can be enjoyed by riders of all ages along the paved Greenway section of the Rim Trail between Grand Canyon Visitor Center and the South Kaibab Trailhead. This 5-mile route (one way) is mostly level and has no car traffic. Bicycles for adults and older kids, as well as Burley trailers to carry small children, can be rented from Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals (bikegrandcanyon.com), which is located at Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

3. Hike Bright Angel Trail

While most steep, undeveloped trails descending below the South Rim are not suitable for young children, the Bright Angel Trail is wide and fairly graded with rest houses located a mile-and-a half and three miles below the rim (a good place to turn around). Keep in mind that while children may eagerly hike down the trail, hiking back up can be grueling for children (and parents) and should be avoided during mid-day heat.

4. Join Summer Ranger Programs

Family-friendly ranger-led programs are offered daily at the South Rim during June, July and August. Topics include history, geology, wildlife and night programs. (Check the summer ranger program web page at www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/ranger-program.htm for locations, and times.)

5. Ride the Train

If your child is fascinated with all things locomotive, make the trip to Grand Canyon on a restored WWII-era passenger train and diesel engine (some have been converted to be fueled by vegetable oil). Part of the experience will include a visit from the friendly conductor and a mock train robbery by Wild West bandits. Modern train rides also feature family entertainment. Or, if you don’t arrive at Grand Canyon by train, you can at least watch the locomotive arriving daily (11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.) and departing (3:30 and 4:30 p.m.) from the historic station at Grand Canyon Village.

6. Get a Feel for Geology

The Yavapai Geology Museum is filled with educational displays on Grand Canyon’s geologic history, but the most interesting and tactile for kids is the large topographic relief model. This 3D map that is designed to be touched mimics the panorama unfolding on the other side of the museum’s large plate glass window. The colors and labels on the map can be studied by young visitors to put the massive canyon into perspective. After a tour of the museum, walk on the interpretive path, the Trail of Time, to see samples of Grand Canyon rocks.

7. Walk to Shoshone Point

Even young children can hike to this quiet South Rim overlook, which is accessible via a level, gated one-mile dirt road. The path meanders through the ponderosa pine forest and ends at Shoshone Point, where there are picnic tables next to the rim. There are restrooms but no water available.

8. Party with the Stars

Join the annual Star Party held every June on both the North and South Rims. Amateur astronomers from all over the country set up telescopes at various canyon locations and provide interpretations of the night sky. Powerful portable telescopes offer a view of planets, star clusters and galaxies. Can’t make it in June? Here are the top 3 places to stargaze .

9. Go with a Guide

If the Grand Canyon and its rugged desert terrain is unfamiliar territory for your family, consider spending the day with a hiking and history expert who guides for the nonprofit Grand Canyon Field Institute. Prices vary depending on group size. For more information: www.grandcanyon.org/classes-tours/

10. Take a River Trip

Grand Canyon Youth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing children ages 11-19 to the Southwest outdoors through rafting trips on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and the San Juan River in southern Utah. Grand Canyon Youth partners with the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to make the river trips an educational experience that focuses on science, natural history, or the arts. Leadership and outdoor stewardship skills are also part of the river trips, where professional guides do the rowing through rapids but children take charge of meals, setting up camp, and other tasks. One of the requirements for going on a Grand Canyon Youth trip is that the children contribute a certain number of hours of community service and also help earn part of the funds to pay for their trip. Scholarships are available to families who qualify. For more information: (928) 773-7921; gcyouth.org

Park Map Tip

You will get a park map when you enter the park at one of the entrance stations. But if you want to get an overview with detailed trails and so on, Trails Illustrated makes three different Grand Canyon maps, depending on where you want to explore. You can buy them on REI.com .

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The Ultimate Guide to a Kid-Friendly Grand Canyon Vacation

• April 14, 2023

Did you know that the Grand Canyon is home to over 91 mammal species , 48 reptile species , 447 bird species, and 18 fish species? This natural wonder is not only an awe-inspiring sight to behold, but it’s also a fantastic destination for families of all ages. With all there is to see and do, visiting the Grand Canyon with kids can be a wonderful experience. In this post, we’ll explore some kid-friendly activities and offer tips for planning the perfect family-friendly Grand Canyon vacation.

An Intro to the History & Geology of Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, is a breathtaking testament to the power of natural forces and the passage of time. Carved by the relentless flow of the Colorado River, the Canyon stretches over 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width, and reaches depths of over a mile. The astonishing layers of rock exposed within the Canyon walls serve as a geological timeline, telling a story of Earth’s history that spans over two billion years. The Grand Canyon is not only a geological marvel but also a treasure trove of ecological diversity, with a wide range of plant and animal species thriving in its various microclimates. This amazing landmark attracts millions of visitors every year. People travel from all over the world to marvel at its grandeur, immerse themselves in the rich history of the Grand Canyon , and partake in the numerous recreational activities it has to offer.

Best Activities for Families at the Grand Canyon

There are so many things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids. Despite its vastness and challenging landscape, the Grand Canyon boasts an array of activities both inside and outside the park that will captivate children of all ages. The Grand Canyon offers everything from the Junior Ranger Program and moderate hikes showcasing spectacular vistas to a variety of other engaging experiences.

Junior Ranger Program

Designed for children aged 4-14, the Junior Ranger Program encourages kids to explore the Grand Canyon’s history, geology, and ecology. Participants complete a booklet of activities and attend a ranger-led program to earn a badge.

Explore the outdoors on a relaxing hike! There are numerous kid-friendly hiking trails at the Grand Canyon that cater to various age groups and abilities. Popular choices include the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, the Rim Trail, and the Bright Angel Trail. Don’t forget to pack water, snacks, and sunscreen to stay safe and comfortable. Discover some of our favorite Grand Canyon hikes to find one that appeals to your crew’s quest for adventure.

Visitor Centers

Not only is this landscape full of opportunities for outdoor adventures, but there are many educational opportunities as well. The Grand Canyon features several visitor centers and museums where children can learn about the Canyon’s history, geology, and wildlife. Stop by the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, or Tusayan Museum for interactive exhibits and informative displays.

Guided Tours

Grand Canyon Adventures offers tours tailored to various age groups, providing both educational and entertaining experiences for kids. A private tour is often the best choice if you have very young children, as it allows for complete customization to meet your family’s needs. Check out our Grand Canyon guided tour to learn about the #1 sightseeing tour from Flagstaff!

Wildlife Watching

The Grand Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife , including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and various bird species. Kids will delight in observing these animals in their natural habitat, making for a unique and enriching experience.

Picnics and Outdoor Games

Designated picnic areas within the park provide an opportunity for families to share a meal amidst the stunning Grand Canyon scenery. After a hearty lunch, get everyone together for some more fun with engaging outdoor games, such as frisbee, catch, or scavenger hunts.

What to Avoid When Traveling to the Grand Canyon with Kids

With so much to do and see with kids at the Grand Canyon, there’s also a few things that we would stay away from. From our years of experience, one big takeaway we advise for families is to avoid spending too much time on one single activity. Additionally, overfilling your daily itinerary can make for a less-than-perfect experience on your vacation. Pacing yourself can help avoid exhausting the kids early on in the trip. That said, here are a few other specific things to avoid. 

Overly-Strenuous Hikes

Hiking in the Canyon can be extremely deceiving because, unlike most hiking, you’re doing the easy part first: going down. Especially with kids, it’s easy to get a little further down than you may have anticipated, and turning around for the climb back out of the Grand Canyon can be at best uncomfortable, and at worst very dangerous. 

Feeding or Approaching Wildlife

Although many of the critters at the Grand Canyon look friendly and cute, it’s extremely important for children (or anyone for that matter) to not to feed or approach wildlife in the park. It is essential to respect the animals’ natural habitats and maintain a safe distance to avoid harm to both the animals and your family. 

Going Off-Trail

Whether to get a better view or to check out a cool cactus, another common thing we see with younger kids is wandering off the marked trails. Always stay on designated trails and respect the park’s rules and regulations. Venturing off-trail can damage the environment, cause erosion, and greatly increase the risk of accidents.

Tips for Planning a Family Vacation to the Grand Canyon

Now that you’ve heard about all the fun things there are to do with kids at the Grand Canyon, it’s time to start making plans!

Best Time to Visit

Planning your trip to the Grand Canyon during the spring (March–May) or in the fall (September–November) can offer cooler weather and fewer crowds. These seasons offer more comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities with kids. Summer months are also beautiful, but expect some warmer temperatures (sometimes up to 100ºF). 

Transportation Options

The easiest and most convenient way to reach the Grand Canyon is to fly directly into Flagstaff, Arizona. From Flagstaff, you’re only about an hour from the Grand Canyon, and you’ll have access to many amenities, hotels, and restaurants that aren’t available if staying directly at the Grand Canyon.

If you opt for a guided tour to the Grand Canyon , our comfortable vans provide transportation from Flagstaff. That way, you don’t have to worry about navigation, parking, or other logistics.

Accommodations

There are lodging and restaurant options at the Grand Canyon, however, they can be pricey and crowded due to their proximity to the park. Our recommendation would be to base your vacation out of Flagstaff where there are many more options for lodging, restaurants, and tons of vacation rentals if you’re coming with a bigger group. Another benefit is that there are plenty of other fun activities in Flagstaff for your group to enjoy! 

Pack Your Bags!

Don’t let fear of traveling with kids keep you from crossing this amazing natural wonder off your bucket list. With its rich history, diverse ecology, and breathtaking views, the Grand Canyon is a perfect destination for families seeking adventure and exploration. There’s no shortage of picturesque vistas to soak up, exciting hiking trails to explore, and opportunities to learn along the way. Ready to start planning? Reach out to our team at Grand Canyon Adventures with questions. We’re here to help!

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30 Fun Things To Do at the Grand Canyon with Kids (2024)

Looking for all the top things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids? You’ve come to the right place!

Our family has been traveling full-time since 2019, both in the US and internationally. So of course we’ve spent time worldschooling at the Grand Canyon!

I collected a ton of great ideas for things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids for our most recent visit, and I couldn’t help but share them with our readers. Because sharing is caring after all!

From educational and fun to nighttime adventures and tasty treats, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our complete list of amazing family activities at the Grand Canyon with kids.

What to Do at the Grand Canyon with Kids

Grand Canyon activities for families include hiking, camping, and exploring the breathtaking natural wonders. Here are the details on everything you can do during a kids’ Grand Canyon visit!

1. Grand Canyon Visitor Center

Every visit to the Grand Canyon, with kids or without, needs to start at the visitor center.

Open 8 am to 4 pm daily, this is where you can get Passport To Your National Parks® stamps, Junior Ranger badges and books, and B.A.R.K. Ranger Dog Tags.

There’s also an information booth as well as a small gift shop.

2. Become a Junior Ranger

There are separate Junior Ranger programs for the North Rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. They also each have their own badge.

Fun Fact: All National Parks offer Junior Ranger Programs. Junior Ranger booklets are available at any national park visitor center.

On the South Rim, you can pick up booklets at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Verkamp’s Visitor Center Park Headquarters, or the Tusayan Museum near Desert View.

If you hike or ride a mule to Phantom Ranch, you can get the Phantom Ranch Junior Ranger Booklet from the canteen, campground, or Ranger Station.

Once a booklet is completed, kids receive a special badge, certificate, and patch. Badges and patches can be displayed on a junior ranger vest or other NP attire !

3. Attend a Grand Canyon Ranger Program

Whether your kiddo(s) go(es) through the process of swearing-in as a Junior Ranger, all kids are welcome to attend the special education seminars held throughout the National Park.

Ranger programs talk about everything from the history of the area to the wildlife kids might see.

With titles such as “Canyon Tales,” “Critter Chat,” “Fossil Discovery,” and “Geology Glimpse” the Grand Canyon National Park junior ranger programs are both educational and fun. Sometimes there are crafts or activities for kids to do!

This is one of the things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids that is a great way to help kids engage with the park, especially when the scenery doesn’t “wow” them the way it does you.

4. Walk to Shoshone Point

The Shoshone Point Trailhead is an easy walk, which makes it a perfect “hike” for little legs.

The path is a beautiful walk through a Ponderosa Pine forest with a stop at a serene picnic spot, and then to a hidden rock formation and Shoshone Point.

Pro Tip: Stop at the Grand Canyon grocery store, across from the visitor center, and buy some food for a picnic lunch to take with you.

This 2-mile round trip trail isn’t often trafficked by tourists so if you want to get away from the crowds stopped at other, more well-known roadside attractions, then this short hike is ideal.

The parking lot is unmarked on the side of the road, just an 8-minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center.

If you’re coming from the Visitor’s Center, the parking lot is the first lot on your left after Yaki Point Road, about 2 minutes or 1.2 miles.

5. Grand Canyon Skywalk

The skywalk allows you to walk on a transparent walkway over the Grand Canyon. It’s located in Grand Canyon West, which is a tribal initiative by the sovereign Indian Nation of the Hualapai Tribe.

Fun Fact: Grand Canyon West is located in the Hualapai Reservation. It’s a great opportunity to experience their rich heritage and traditions.

The skywalk is open 9 am – 5 pm daily. You can buy tickets on site, if available, or order them in advance .

6. Drive to Desert View Watchtower

The watchtower is one of 23 National Historic Landmark buildings in Grand Canyon National Park.

It’s the first attraction when arriving on your Grand Canyon trip with kids by driving into the East Entrance on Desert View Drive.

The watchtower was built in 1932 as an opportunity to view the Grand Canyon from a unique perspective, higher above the ground. Unfortunately, the top viewing area has been closed to visitors for several years.

However, there is a cute gift shop and area to learn about the watchtower’s history on the ground floor. In addition, the viewing area next to the canyon is also pretty remarkable!

Pro Tip: There are restrooms and a food stall here. Stop here to address your body’s needs before moving on to another activity.

If the watchtower is your last stop in Grand Canyon National Park before heading toward Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in Page, eat before you hit the road.

There isn’t much to eat besides gas station carry-out food between the Grand Canyon East Entrance and Page.

Around and Into the Grand Canyon with Kids

Not all hikes or excursions into the Grand Canyon are kid-friendly. In fact, several are definitely not.

However, there are a few that will make the Grand Canyon fun and enjoyable for kids if you decide to head down into the canyon itself.

7. Hike the Bright Angel Trail

Bright Angel Trail is the most popular day hike at the Grand Canyon. It is close to the visitor center, easier to access, and much less steep than the path on South Kaibab Trailhead.

In addition, there are five stopping points along the trail where you can rest and use the toilets. These are great for taking a pause before heading back up.

These are the stopping points on Bright Angel Trail with roundtrip distances: 📌 3 Mile Resthouse – 6 miles 📌 Indian Garden – 9 miles 📌 River Resthouse – 15.6 miles 📌 Phantom Ranch – 19.6 miles

Just remember that hiking down is always easier than going back up. If it takes you an hour to get down, it’ll take at least twice as long to return to the rim.

Pace yourselves and don’t go too far, especially if your kids aren’t used to hiking. We re-learned that the hard way on the Carretera Austral in Chilean Patagonia!

8. Ride a Mule into the Canyon

A mule ride into the Grand Canyon may be one of the most memorable things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids!

You can either take a 1-hour ride along the rim or a half-day ride down into the canyon. Mule rides can be booked on the NPS website .

Fun Fact: You can also take a mule ride to the bottom of the canyon and stay overnight at Phantom Ranch! These tours are limited and booked by lottery .

In order to take a mule trip in the Grand Canyon, riders must be at least 57 inches tall and nine years old.

We did a canyon horseback ride in Mexico , and understand why these minimums exist. Don’t fudge the numbers on your kiddos just to book a mule ride.

All riders must be less than 225 lbs fully clothed. South Rim mule trips can be booked 15 months in advance and they fill up early!

9. Bike the Rim

Bicycles are permitted on all of the park’s roads, as well as the Hermit Road Greenway Path. In fact, by bike or park shuttle is the only way visitors are allowed to explore Hermit Road. Private vehicles are prohibited there.

Note: While all of the park’s roads and the Hermit Road Greenway Trail are open to bicyclists, the park’s trails only allow foot traffic (no wheels).

You can rent a bike for as little as an hour or as long as a full day from Bright Angel Bicycles and Café at Mather Point on the South Rim.

Rentals are available for adults and kids, ages 8 or older. If your kiddos are really young, Bright Angel Bicycles also rents bicycle trailers. If you get tired of biking, you can even put your bikes on the bike-friendly shuttle busses to return them.

10. Ride the Hermit Road Shuttle Bus

Another one of the best ways to see the Grand Canyon with kids is on the  free  Hermit Road shuttle bus. This 7-mile (11 km) stretch from Grand Canyon Village and Hermit’s Rest stops at nine designated viewpoints along the way.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to get off at every stop but don’t miss Mohave Point.

Hermit Road offers some of the best Grand Canyon views and the shuttle bus gives you the chance to look at the iconic scenery while someone else does the driving.

Outbound shuttles depart Grand Canyon Village  every 15-30 minutes (season dependent). It travels in a loop between the nine points of interest including Pima, Mohave, Hopi, and Powell Point.

Pro Tip: The last shuttle departs Hermit’s Rest an hour before sunset, so don’t stay too late here!

11. Take a River Trip

The Colorado River, which has carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years, is a unique way to enjoy views of the canyon from the lowest point.

While many river tours are actually a white water rafting trip, it’s also possible to get a more relaxing adventure that’s great even for smaller kids.

These Grand Canyon trip with family tours typically take place on pontoon boats or river ferries.

These river tours aren’t accessible from the Rim entrances. Typically, if you plan to do one of these trips, you’ll need to book in advance and go to a separate location.

Note: Even though a Grand Canyon river trip excursion is marketed as a half-day journey, it will likely take an entire day of your family vacation to Grand Canyon to do it.

Family Grand Canyon Tours

So what if you don’t want to do a ton of planning, and just want someone to show you all the best stuff?

Or maybe you don’t want to cram into a shuttle bus with a hundred other people? Well, there are things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids for you, too!

12. Take an Off-Road Tour

Off-road tours in a jeep or hummer are a great way to see the Grand Canyon with kids in a unique way. You are taken down some old stagecoach trails through the Kaibab Forest instead of down the same streets the shuttle buses use.

Some tours take you for sunrise or sunset and even include a skip-the-line ticket so you don’t have to wait at the park entrance. This is extra helpful if you’re visiting Grand Canyon with kids during a busy season.

👉 I recommend this company for off-road touring.

13. Helicopter Tour

One of the truly unique things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids is seeing it from the air! You will see the Colorado River, the Kaibab Forest, Desert View Watchtower, and more!

Not all helicopter tour companies allow kids, though, so read the fine print about allowable ages and heights before booking anything.

👉 I recommend this company for family-friendly helicopter tours.

14. Visit Havasupai Falls

Note: All Havasupai Falls visits have been suspended for 2022. They plan to resume in 2023.

Also known as Havasu Falls, this is one of the things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids that can’t be done in a half-day excursion. However, it’s absolutely worth it if you have the time.

Located on the Havasupai Native American Reservation, these waterfalls are pretty remote. You can get to them by hiking, mule train, or helicopter tour.

Pro Tip: The hike is 10 miles one-way so I wouldn’t recommend it with kids.

To visit Havasu Falls, you need to secure permits from the Havasupai reservation . Mule trains can also be booked with them, but helicopters must be chartered directly with the company, Air West Helicopters .

15. Airplane Tour

If helicopters aren’t your thing, you can also see the Grand Canyon by airplane! You get to see Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ as well as Desert View Watchtower, the Colorado River, and the Grand Canyon itself.

Pro Tip: Choose an airplane tour with a company that leaves from an airstrip near Grand Canyon National Park.

This will also allow you to do other things on the same day you take your flight tour. This way, you don’t waste time driving too far for your aerial views.

👉 This company offers tours from the Grand Canyon South Rim, and even offers an optional Hummer ground tour add-on as well!

16. Do a Family Photo Tour

If you’re happy with exploring on foot (or on wheels) within the regular Grand Canyon offerings, consider a photo tour. This is a great way to get all the best shots from the best-known photo spots in the South Rim.

The photographers can help you plan where you’ll go for your photo session, and you’ll get some great pictures that don’t involve arms or selfie sticks showing at the bottom of the image at awkward angles.

👉 I recommend this company for Grand Canyon photo sessions.

Nighttime Activities at the Grand Canyon

While you might be tempted to hole up in your hotel room after dark or wait until after dawn to go out for breakfast, don’t do it. You’ll be missing out on some truly special things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids.

17. Wake Up to Watch a Sunrise at Mather Point

Sunrise comes early so this is one of the things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids that you need to plan ahead for.

We set our alarm for a little before sunrise to get to Mather Point before the sun came up. We barely made it, so definitely allow yourself a few more minutes than you expect to get there on time.

This is a really popular activity at the Grand Canyon, so you’ll probably be hanging out at Mather Point with a lot of other people.

18. Stay up to Watch the Sunset

Sunset was our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon . We arrived in the late afternoon, after a long drive from the Hoover Dam and Las Vegas. It was epic!

Mather Point is the most popular and most crowded place to watch the sunset. However, other great locations to watch it are Hopi Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View Watch Tower, and Mohave Point.

19. Dark Skies Stargazing

Grand Canyon National Park is officially one of the world’s best stargazing locations. In 2019, it received International Dark Sky Park certification, putting it among only sixty U.S Parks with the ‘Dark Sky Park’ title.

Whether you just wander outside your hotel room after dark or stay at one of the viewpoints, this will likely be some of the best stargazing your family has ever done.

👉 We have traveled with this book for Little Man since 2019.

Despite being an older publication, the stories within it about each constellation are timeless. In addition, it’s one of the few glow-in-the-dark books for kids to see constellations in print in order to better reference them.

This is a huge perk because it saves your night vision from being ruined by looking things up on your phone.

Educational Things To Do With Kids at the Grand Canyon

Want to make your family vacation at the Grand Canyon a bit educational? We did and Little Man didn’t even notice! Fun learning is the best learning, right?

20. Yavapai Geology Museum

The Yavapai Geology Museum isn’t large but it is definitely worth a stroll through. One of the highlights of the museum is the large relief map that shows all of the features of the Grand Canyon on a small scale.

Little Man’s favorite feature was the large windows that cover the wall facing the Grand Canyon. Below each window are descriptions with reference photos of exactly what you see outside.

We treated the picture window descriptions as a seek-and-find game. It’s a great way to get some perspective on what actually happened as the canyon was formed.

21. Trail of Time

The Trail of Time is a pathway in which each meter walked represents 1 million years of history.

It is a ~ 3-mile flat paved sidewalk that begins at the Yavapai Geology Museum. It’s a fantastic visual representation of the formation of the Grand Canyon.

In addition to demonstrating the passage of the eons by walking, the Trail of Time also has fossils and rock types excavated from the Grand Canyon . These are each displayed in conjunction with the period of time that they were created.

22. Visit Hopi House

Hopi House is another National Historic Landmark located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Hopi House  was built in 1904, to respectfully provide a market for crafts made on-site by Native American artisans.

Fun Facts: Run by the Hopi people to this day, Hopi House is open all year. Hours are seasonal.

As the historic inhabitants of the area, the Hopi tribe was chosen as the featured artisans. The building was designed, with their input, to closely resemble a traditional Hopi pueblo.

Hopi House is one of the must-see things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids.

You will find a wide range of native arts and crafts available for purchase, such as hand-crafted kachina dolls, Native American jewelry and pottery, and hand-woven Navajo rugs. You will also get to see authentic Native American dance performances.

23. Search for Wildlife

In addition to small wildlife, like squirrels and birds, you may be lucky enough to see elk or deer strolling through the forests surrounding Grand Canyon National Park.

Have your kids identify plants as well as wildlife. If they don’t know what something is, have them look it up!

Pro Tip: We love the Seek app . It’s a great way to get to know the world around you in a fun way.

The Seek app is a collaboration between several non-profit organizations to gain a better understanding of the location and range of different species. No personally identifying data is collected.

You can earn badges for seeing different types of birds, amphibians, plants, and fungi and participate in monthly observation challenges.

It’s so fun that when we were at the zoo in Mexico City , Little Man refused to give my phone back until he found me 10 new plant species for the daily challenge.

24. Go to the Movies

Yes, really. Here’s why. Grand Canyon: The Movie is the longest-running IMAX film of all time. And it’s awesome!

You get to sit in front of a six-story tall, 84-foot wide screen that’s surrounded by 12,000 watts of digital surround sound. During the 34-minute film, you’ll soar over the canyon’s rim and down into the Colorado River’s roaring rapids.

Even the most active kids will sit at attention and soak up a bunch of interesting Grand Canyon facts. The film plays every hour on the half-hour at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center – IMAX Theater.

👉 Pre-book your IMAX tickets to ensure you get a spot at the showing of your choice!

Edible Experiences at the Grand Canyon with Kids

The Grand Canyon isn’t just a great place for amazing views! There are also some nice food stops. From fine dining to food trucks, kids will enjoy these tasty treats!

25. Fred Harvey Truck

Fred Harvey is said to have pioneered fast food. He also revolutionized dining service on the Grand Canyon Railway. So he’s pretty famous around the Grand Canyon.

Fun Fact : His restaurant, Harvey House, is still located in Williams, AZ.

There’s a food truck near Hopi House that serves to-go food, which bears the name of his restaurant.

As far as burgers go, the ones at the Fred Harvey truck are pretty good. Its location makes it a perfect stop for lunch before heading on to another activity.

26. Desert View Trading Post

If you make it all the way to Desert View, stop at the trading post. In addition to the gift shop, there is also a snack bar and dessert shop.

My recommendation is that you either get ice cream or homemade fudge from Desert View Trading Post. Ice cream makes everyone happy, especially during the summer months, and the fudge is made right on site!

27. Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory

The Grand Canyon Chocolate Factory is across the street from the IMAX theater, in Grand Canyon Village. It’s a great place to stop at the end of the day, before heading back to your hotel room.

Pro-Tip : Although the shop is open until 9 pm, get there earlier. It gets crowded the last hour before closing time.

The Chocolate Factory makes a variety of artisanal desserts on-site. From fudge, truffles, and candy to other goodies like cotton candy and popcorn, there’s something for everyone to sample.

28. Maswik Lodge

In addition to a gift shop and food court, Maswik Lodge also has a pizza pub. This spot is a favorite for most families since almost every kiddo loves pizza!

Plus, the price for pizza makes it one of the most reasonable family meal spots in Grand Canyon National Park. Go at off times because it is busy at prime lunch at dinner hours.

29. El Tovar

While this isn’t something I’d recommend for every meal during your Grand Canyon family vacation , have a more formal dining experience at El Tovar.

The historic dining room overlooks the Grand Canyon, which makes this meal extra special.

Pro Tip: Kids will love the pancakes, quesadillas, and cinnamon swirl French toast on the breakfast menu!

The restaurant offers superb service as well as décor that includes paintings of various Native American tribes. From every angle, this is a meal worth splurging on!

30. Yavapai Lodge

Not only can adults enjoy a pub-style meal, but kiddos can enjoy a special dessert.

Pro Tip: If the weather is nice, sit on the patio!

At Yavapai Lodge, you can order the s’mores kit at the restaurant. The wait staff will provide graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and a mini s’mores-making station right at your table!

Entrance Fees for the Grand Canyon

The entry costs for Grand Canyon National Park are as follows:

☑️ 7-Day Pass: $35/car, $30/motorcycle, or $20/individual ☑️ Annual Pass: $80

Fun Fact: Veterans are eligible for a free annual pass with proper ID.

Passes can be purchased online in advance or at a park entrance. If you buy a pass in advance, you can print the pass or show it on your phone at the entrance. If you buy it more than two weeks in advance, the actual card will be mailed to you.

If you buy your pass at a park entrance, note that they are all cash-only.

Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon

☑️ The North Rim is open from May 15 to October 15 each year. ☑️ The South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. ☑️ The West Rim is open 365 days a year. Hours vary seasonally.

With moderate temperatures and lower crowds, Spring and Fall are considered the most desirable times to visit the Grand Canyon.

Fun Fact: We visited in late November, before the first snowfall. The crowds were small and it was chilly. But we loved our experience!

The snow in the winter months makes it extra beautiful and the crowds are the smallest at this time. This all makes the Grand Canyon in winter with kids a lot of fun!

In addition, there are more amenities available and things to do at the Grand Canyon with Kids during the high season in the summer months.

Ultimately, there are pros and cons to visiting in each season. This means that the best time to visit the Grand Canyon is whenever you’re able to schedule it.

Getting to the Grand Canyon

Unless you’re taking a single-day tour, chances are you’re going to be driving your own vehicle. That’s what we did and I really liked the freedom to go at our own pace.

👉 I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip!

During busy periods like spring break, summer, and fall holiday weekends, parking around the visitor center is typically full by 9:30 am. From October to April, you should generally have no issues finding a parking spot.

Closest Regional and International Airports

If you will be flying to Grand Canyon South Rim either domestically in the US or internationally from afar, these are the most popular airport options:

☑️ Flagstaff Pulliam – 90 miles (1h 30m) ☑️ Phoenix Sky Harbor – 232 miles (3h 30m) ☑️ Las Vegas McCarran – 278 miles (4h 15m)

Las Vegas McCarran International is typically the best airport for most Grand Canyon visitors. Despite being the furthest away from South Rim, there is a much wider variety of flight routes and times available.

Fun Fact: We did our Grand Canyon road trip from Las Vegas .

However, always check flight prices thoroughly at the five closest airports to Grand Canyon National Park. Don’t just assume Las Vegas is the best choice. It might well be, but at least you’ve done your due diligence.

Driving Distances to the South Rim

Millions of tourists visiting the Grand Canyon South Rim will fly into the region each year. Others will drive in order to explore more of the stunning American Southwest.

Let’s take a look at distances and drive times to Grand Canyon from nearby major attractions and cities:

☑️ Flagstaff – 79 miles (1h 30m) [South Rim] ☑️ Phoenix/ Scottsdale – 230 miles (3h 30m) [South Rim] ☑️ Las Vegas – 280 miles (4h 15m) [South Rim] ☑️ Las Vegas – 125 miles (2h 10m) [West Rim] ☑️ Sedona – 114 miles (2h) [South Rim]

These are short enough distances to drive or even take a day trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim with kids .

Day Trips to the Grand Canyon

If you don’t have your own car or a rental car and only have a limited amount of time, doing a Grand Canyon day trip is an option. It’s easiest to take day trips from Flagstaff or Sedona to the South Rim.

👉 You can book this day trip to the Grand Canyon from either Flagstaff or Sedona.

Day trips from Vegas tend to be via helicopter, at least if you want to see the South Rim.

👉 I recommend this tour from Las Vegas to the South Rim. You even get to go kayaking!

Helicopter tours can be expensive, so West Rim tours are more popular for those on a budget.

👉 This day trip from Las Vegas includes meals!

It’s also possible to do a day trip from cities that are a bit further away, like Phoenix. It’ll just mean a bit more time driving to and from the canyon.

If you do this, make sure you book a company with excellent reviews since you’ll be spending a long day with them.

👉 I recommend this company for a day trip from Phoenix.

Where To Stay at the Grand Canyon with Kids

There are three main choices for places to stay at the Grand Canyon with kids. You can stay in the park, in the nearest town called Tesuyan, or in the nearest city called Williams.

Stay as close to the Canyon Rim as you can comfortably afford. You’ll appreciate not having to drive as far after a long day of exploring.

✅ In the Park

📍 El Tovar – The priciest hotel inside of Grand Canyon National Park, but only steps to the canyon. 📍 Kachina Lodge – Three restaurants on-site and some rooms even offer a canyon view. 📍 Yavapai Lodge – Motel-style rooms on a single level that are spread across several buildings. 📍 Maswik Lodge – Two restaurants on-site and a five-minute walk to the rim. 📍 Bright Angel Lodge – Offers cabins or standard rooms, and an on-site coffee shop.

Tesuyan is just one mile from the South Rim entrance. Hotels here are about a 15-minute drive to the rim. Several have pools to enjoy !

Within three blocks, there is a McDonald’s, a Wendy’s, a Starbucks, and a handful of sit-down restaurants. There’s also a small grocery store. 

📍 Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon – Free breakfast and an indoor pool 📍 Red Feather Lodge – Two-story motel rooms with an outdoor pool 📍 Grand Canyon Hotel – 4 star hotel with extra amenities and indoor pool 📍 Best Western – 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars on site.

Located 60 miles from the Grand Canyon, Williams is as far as I’d recommend you stay if you’re planning more than one day at the Grand Canyon (which you should!).

If you stay here, consider taking the Grand Canyon Railway instead of driving.

Pro Tip: At Christmas, the railway offers the Christmastime Polar Express which is a bonus treat for kiddos.

Williams is a pretty good-sized town. There are a lot of places to stay there.

However, these are the highest rated, especially among families, so these are where I’d recommend staying if you choose Williams as your base.

📍 Red Garter Inn – A B&B with 4 restaurants and a winery on site. It’s the highest-rated hotel in Williams. 📍 La Quinta Inn & Suites – Free daily breakfast and a small grocery store on site along with a microwave in the room. 📍 Best Western Plus – Pet friendly hotel next to a golf course and has an outdoor pool. 📍 Clear Sky Resorts – Sleep in a dome under the stars! There are over 30 dome-shaped, glass roof cabins. The family suites each have its own distinct theme from Hello Kitty and James Bond to Video Games and Space Galaxy.

Safety Tips for Visiting The Grand Canyon With Kids

ℹ️ Keep your tank full. Gas is available in Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, and Desert View. ℹ️ Even in the off-season, it is warm. Bring water (there are bottle filling stations), a hat, and sunscreen. ℹ️ It’s often windy. Don’t wear a dress. Wear layers you can remove as the day warms up. ℹ️ Many lookouts have guard rails. Plenty of spots don’t. Getting too close to an edge could result in a deadly plunge. Yes, really! ℹ️ If you have small children, be aware and consider how you will manage the fall risk. Watch little ones like a hawk. Keep them safe in a stroller, backpack, or harness.

👉 I recommend the Tula Carrier for its durability and comfort. Plus it has different carriers that fit little ones from 7-60 pounds.

*BONUS* Tips for When the Kids ‘Hate’ all the Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

☑️ Don’t be annoyed if your kids don’t “appreciate” the scenery. ☑️ Don’t lecture them on how much they should appreciate what they are seeing. ☑️ Don’t let their whining bother you. Little Man whined incessantly during our trip to Chichen Itza . Now he talks glowingly about it when someone asks. He clearly got more out of it than I thought! ☑️ Don’t be surprised when a tree with a stool is the coolest thing they saw on the trip.

☑️ Be persistent in pushing them outside their comfort zone a bit. Hiking can give them a sense of accomplishment. ☑️ But don’t go too far. Remember what you were capable of at their age. ☑️ Don’t vote on activities. That creates a winning/losing mentality. Instead, give them either or choices on things they get to impact. Like whether you’re stopping for Desert View fudge before or after visiting the watchtower. ☑️ Have a plan. My kid responds better when he knows what’s coming next. He doesn’t like it when I ask him what he wants to do next every few minutes. ☑️ Take rest breaks. Sometimes they really do just need to chill before moving on.

Grand Canyon with Kids: FAQs

Still have questions about visiting the Grand Canyon with kids? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is the Grand Canyon a good place to visit with kids?

Yes, the Grand Canyon is an excellent place to visit with kids! There are plenty of kid-friendly activities and things to do, from hiking and biking to exploring the natural beauty of the canyon.

There are also plenty of educational opportunities, such as ranger-led tours and interactive exhibits at the visitor centers.

Which rim of the Grand Canyon is best for kids?

Are there special accommodations for kids at the Grand Canyon?

Yes, there are numerous accommodations for families at the Grand Canyon. There are several family-oriented resorts and lodges in the area that provide special amenities for kids, such as playgrounds. And most paths are paved so it’s very stroller-friendly.

What is the best way for a family to visit the Grand Canyon?

The best way for a family to visit the Grand Canyon is to plan ahead and make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience. Consider booking guided tours or activities that are tailored for kids and make sure to bring plenty of snacks and water.

How do small kids go to Grand Canyon?

What is the best part of Grand Canyon to visit with kids?

The best part of the Grand Canyon to visit with kids is the South Rim. This rim offers numerous activities, attractions, and educational opportunities that are perfect for families.

You can explore the natural beauty of the canyon, take a mule ride, or take an educational tour.

Can I visit the Grand Canyon with toddlers?

Yes, you can visit the Grand Canyon with toddlers. However, it is important to keep in mind that young children may not be able to handle long hikes or strenuous activities.

Instead, plan shorter hikes and simpler activities that are tailored for younger children.

Can I visit the Grand Canyon with a baby?

Get Travel Insurance!

As the saying goes… “If you can’t afford travel insurance, then you can’t afford to travel”.

It’s that simple. Not having travel insurance is not worth the risk, and this is one of our important tips for a great vacation !

What happens if:

• You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly
• You get sick or injured on your trip
• A natural disaster damages your destination
• Your luggage is lost or stolen
• There is a terrorist event

Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as those. Anything can, will, and sometimes does go wrong. If it does and you are not insured, you can be out a lot of money AND inconvenience!

👉 I recommend the insurance broker, Insubuy . They help you shop for travel insurance to, within, and outside of the USA.

Final Thoughts on Things To Do at the Grand Canyon With Kids

There are so many things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids that you can easily spend a week here and not get to them all.

Whether you’re at the Grand Canyon with a baby, with older teens, or even somewhere in between, there’s something for everyone.

There are a lot of things to do in Grand Canyon Village but don’t be afraid to head further afield for some real fun!

If you really want a cool add-on adventure, head to Antelope Canyon , Zion National Park , or Arches National Park for a couple of days before or after your Grand Canyon family adventure!

Sharing is caring!

Brodi Cole is a full-time digital nomad who travels the world with her family. She made the switch to blogging and content writing after spending more than a decade and a half working as a Human Resources Manager and Director.

Since transitioning her family to a digital nomad lifestyle, they've visited over 20 countries together (and counting) in the last ten years!

In addition to traveling extensively through Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean, she's also visited Asia, Europe, and South America.

She spent most of the pandemic living in Malaysia before living in Mexico for over a year and then driving the Pan-American Highway from the USA to the southernmost tip of Argentina.

Brodi is also a freelance SEO writer and editor, sharing her expertise with other companies and bloggers. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management.

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The Ultimate Grand Canyon 2 Day Itinerary

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When visiting the magnificent Grand Canyon, it’s easy to see why it’s been deemed one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Its vast, colorful expanse is a sight that everyone should view at least once in their lives. And with this Grand Canyon 2 day itinerary, you can be sure to take in all the best experiences while you’re there!

Even growing up hearing about the Grand Canyon it’s hard to truly grasp the magnitude of it until you’re actually standing next to it. On our trip to the Grand Canyon, we were awestruck with the vastness and beauty of the canyon.

I wondered before I left if eventually I would get sick of looking at view after view of the canyon, but I can honestly say that it never got old. In fact, each new viewpoint lets you see the canyon in a slightly different way.

So start planning your trip and get ready for an experience of a lifetime! This Grand Canyon 2 day itinerary has everything you need for a perfect trip.

For tips on visiting the Grand Canyon with kids, see this post .

Grand Canyon 2 Day Itinerary

Grand Canyon 2 Day Itinerary Overview

On this Grand Canyon 2 day itinerary, we’ll cover the best hikes, viewpoints, and experiences at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon! Here’s a quick overview of what to expect.

• South Kaibab Trail
• Mather Point
• Yavapai Point and Yavapai Geology Museum
• Trail of Time
• Bright Angel Trail
• Hermits Rest Route
• Desert View Drive
• Desert View Watchtower
• Watch the sunset

Hike South Kaibab Trail

Start off your first day with a hike on South Kaibab Trail. On this hike, you’ll get the experience of descending into the canyon and you’ll be treated to some gorgeous views along the way.

There’s very little shade along the trail, so it’s nice to get started early before it gets too hot and the sun gets too high in the sky.

To reach the trailhead, take the Orange Shuttle from the visitor center . The road is not accessible by private vehicles, so you need to take the shuttle or walk along the Rim Trail to reach the trailhead. 

At the trailhead, you can find restrooms and a water filling station . There is no water available along the trail , so be sure that you’re bringing plenty with you.

This trail goes all the way down to the bottom of the canyon (6 miles roundtrip), but it is not recommended that you do the whole hike in one day, especially in the summer. Instead, you can turn back at one of the stopping points along the way.

Your first option is to turn back at Ooh Aah Point , which is .9 miles into the hike (1.8 miles roundtrip). This is the steepest part of the trail but ends with some spectacular views from the viewpoint. If you’re visiting with kids, this is a great hike to get the experience of going down into the canyon without it being too challenging. 

If you’re up for a more strenuous hiking experience, plan to turn around at Cedar Ridge , which is 3 miles roundtrip. From this point, you can see some gorgeous views of the canyon. There are also restrooms at this stop.

The last stop on the hike is Skeleton Point , which is a 6-mile hike round trip. It’s not recommended that you go past this point as a day hike. Some people choose to hike down and stay the night at Phantom Ranch, located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. For the hike back up, adventurous hikers will connect to the Bright Angel Trail and take that trail back up to the rim.

Walk to Mather Point

When you return to the Visitor Center, take the five-minute walk to Mather Point, one of the most popular viewpoints in the park. 

From this point, you have stunning, unobstructed views of the canyon for 60 miles to the west and 30 miles to the east. This is also a great place to see the sunrise or sunset over the Grand Canyon.

Visit Yavapai Point and Museum of Geology

From here you can either take a shuttle or walk the .7 miles to Yavapai Point. The paved path is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs and takes you right along the rim of the canyon. 

At the end of the path, you’ll find the Yavapai Museum of Geology perched on the rim of the canyon. Inside the museum, you can learn about the different rock layers in the canyon and the geologic history of the area. Large picture windows provide panoramic views of the canyon while you explore the museum.

Also located inside is a bookstore and museum shop.

Walk along the Trail of Time

From Yavapai Museum, head west to take the Trail of Time. This flat, 2.8-mile hike follows the rim of the canyon. 

The trail is a geologic timeline that walks you through the formation of the canyon. Each meter walked represents one million years of geologic history in the Grand Canyon, with bronze medallions marking the path. Along the way you can find exhibits and plaques explaining how the canyon was formed. 

The trail starts at Yavapai Geology Museum and continues into and through Grand Canyon Village. It takes about an hour to walk the whole trail.

On day two of your Grand Canyon 2 day itinerary, you have a few different options. If you choose to do the Bright Angel Trail hike, you can do the condensed option on Hermit’s Rest Route (see below) in the afternoon if you find yourself short on time or even skip it altogether.

If you’re all hiked out, you can skip Bright Angel trail and do the full Hermit’s Rest Route and then head out for the Desert View Drive.

Hike Bright Angel Trail

If you’re up for another hike into the canyon, Bright Angel Trail is the most popular hike at the Grand Canyon. 

This is another hike that takes you down into the canyon with gorgeous views along the way, eventually reaching the river at the canyon bottom.

The trailhead is located just West of Bright Angel Lodge ; follow the path along the rim to find the start of the trail. There’s water available at the trailhead and on this hike, there’s actually water available along the trail as well. 

If you follow the whole trail, it’s a 12-mile round trip hike. However, it is not recommended that you complete the whole trail in one day. 

There are numerous turnback points along the way. For casual hikers, a good turnaround point is 1.5 Mile Resthouse , which as the name suggests is 1.5 miles into the hike (3 miles roundtrip). Here you can find water (available seasonally), restrooms, and an emergency phone. 

If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, head on another mile and a half to 3 Mile Resthouse. This point also has water available seasonally (from May to September) and an emergency phone. 

The furthest point along the trail it is recommended you go on a summer day hike is Indian Garden , located 4.5 miles down the trail. Here water is available year-round and you can find restrooms and picnic tables. This is a strenuous hike and you should be in good shape if you plan to attempt it.

Visit the viewpoints along Hermit’s Rest Route

Long version: Complete the entire route, stopping at each viewpoint and walking some stretches of trail. Time needed: 3-4 hours

Short version: Take the shuttle to Hopi Point. Walk the .3 miles from Hop Point to Powell Point. Take the return shuttle from Powell Point. Time needed: 45 minutes-1 hour

After your hike, plan on spending the afternoon visiting some of the viewpoints along Hermit Road. This road is closed to private vehicles from March to November, so you’ll need to either take the red shuttle or walk along the Rim Trail to reach the Hermit Road viewpoints.

There are nine shuttle stops along the road with shuttles coming by every 10 to 15 minutes, which means you can decide how much or little you want to walk. The distances between shuttle stops range from .3 miles to 1.8 miles. I’d recommend doing a combination of the two, where you walk some segments and ride the shuttle for others. 

Some of the best segments to walk include the stretch between Village Route Transfer and Trailview Overlook (.7 miles) and the one between Powell Point and Hopi Point (.3 miles).

The shuttle route takes 80 minutes to complete without getting off. If you want to get off at each stop, you’ll need to plan in about 3-4 hours. 

Note that Hopi Point and Hermits Rest are the only stops along the way that have restrooms. 

On the route towards Hermits Rest, the shuttle stops at every stop, but on the way back it only stops at three: Pima Point, Mohave Point, and Powell Point. 

Take the Desert View Drive

After you take the shuttle back to the Visitor Center, grab your car and take the scenic Desert View Drive. 

Along the way, you’ll come across scenic overlooks and roadside pullouts that will give you another perspective on the Grand Canyon.

Viewpoints along Desert View Drive

• Grandview Point
• Moran Point
• Lipan Point
• Navajo Point 

You can also make a stop at Tusayan Museum and Ruin , where you can see the remains of an 800-year-old Puebloan village. In the museum, you can see artifacts and handicrafts made in the area 2,000 to 4,000 years ago. This site is currently closed due to COVID.

The last stop on the drive is the Desert View Watchtower. Situated right on the rim of the canyon, this stone watchtower was built in 1932 by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, a renowned architect in the southwest. 

Typically you can climb to the top of the tower, where on a clear day you can see out over 100 miles. However, the interior of the watchtower is currently closed due to COVID.

Be that as it may, the watchtower is an impressive sight and there are gorgeous views of the canyon from its base.

Watch the sun set over the canyon

Once you’re finished at Desert Watchtower, find someplace to catch the sunset over the Grand Canyon. 

Lipan Point along the Desert View Drive is considered one of the best places in the south rim to see the sunset. Another great option is heading back to Mather Point near the Visitor Center.

Seeing the canyon lit up by the sunset is a spectacular sight that you won’t soon forget. It’s a perfect way to end your time at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon 2 Day Itinerary FAQs

Is 2 days enough for the grand canyon.

Two days is the perfect amount of time to spend at the Grand Canyon. In that amount of time, you can see all of the main sights of the canyon and have time to go on a few shorter hikes into and around the canyon. 

If you want to do some of the longer hikes or go at a slower pace, you could add on a day or two. But for the casual visitor, two days will be enough time to see the sights of the south rim.

Which rim of the Grand Canyon is best?

The South Rim is the most popular rim of the Grand Canyon to visit. It is much more accessible than the North Rim and has more options for food, lodging, and park amenities. Plus while the South Rim has dozens of viewpoints from which to enjoy the Grand Canyon, the North Rim has just a few, which are much more challenging to get to. 

So while both rims have their charms, the South Rim is the one most commonly visited, especially by first-time visitors. 

How much does entrance to the Grand Canyon cost?

The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle. 

If you plan on visiting any other national parks in the next year, I highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass, which is an annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks and monuments. 

Where should I stay when visiting the Grand Canyon ?

When visiting the Grand Canyon, you can either stay at the lodges in the park itself or stay outside the park. 

If you’re planning on staying in the park, be sure to book well ahead of time as the lodges often fill up months in advance, especially during peak times. You can make a reservation here .

You can also stay in the nearby city of Tusayan, which is just a 15-minute drive from the park. 

Some of the best options for lodging outside the park include:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon
• Best Western Canyon Squire Inn
• Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel 
• The Grand Hotel 

Camping is also available at Desert View Campground from April to October. Reservations are required and can be made here .

Tips for hiking at the Grand Canyon

Each year over 250 hikes need to be rescued from the Grand Canyon. Hiking this rugged terrain is a unique experience that requires preparation and caution. 

People often overestimate how long of a hike they can manage because it is so much easier going down at the beginning than it is to hike back up. When deciding on how far to go, know that it usually takes at least twice as long to hike back up as it does to hike down .

Make sure to bring plenty of water and eat salty snacks as you hike to prevent dehydration. 

And remember that uphill hikers and mules have the right of way on the trail. 

What to bring to the Grand Canyon

Water bottle or hydration backpack – When hiking in the Grand Canyon, it’s extremely important to make sure that you’re getting enough fluids. Make sure that you have a good option for carrying an adequate supply of water with you on your hikes. 

Sunscreen – There is very little shade in the park, so plan on bringing sunscreen to protect your skin.

Sun hat – A sun hat is useful for keeping the sun off of your face and protecting your skin.

Comfortable hiking shoes – Bring stable, comfortable hiking shoes for a safe and pleasant hiking experience. Make sure to break them in before your trip.

Trekking poles – While certainly not a requirement, trekking poles can give you added stability and take some of the strain off of your legs. You can also rent them in the park at Canyon Village Marketplace.

Salty snacks – Bring salty snacks to munch on while you’re hiking to prevent dehydration. 

Final Thoughts

A trip to the Grand Canyon is something that everyone should experience. This Grand Canyon 2 day itinerary will help you make sure you don’t miss any of the must-do activities while you are there.

Other posts you might be interested in:

Visiting the Grand Canyon with Kids- Everything You Need to Know!

One Day in Arches National Park- Best Itinerary for a Quick Trip!

11 Unforgettable Things to do in Leavenworth in Winter

Related Posts:

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Making Family Travel an Adventure

Grand Canyon: How to Plan a Family Vacation

The rumors are true, a Grand Canyon family vacation is nothing short of incredible. I mean really, it’s the Grand Canyon .

I’ve taken my kids to the Grand Canyon twice – in July 2015 and in March 2018. Each experience was different, but both were wildly awe-inspiring.

Honestly, I can’t recommend a road trip to the Grand Canyon more highly. So, I compiled a guide to help you plan out a trip to this national park. Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Planning a Grand Canyon Vacation  

A vacation at the Grand Canyon is very popular, especially with families.

According to the National Park Service , more than 4.5 million visitors came to peer out into the massive canyon in 2021. 

That noted, you’ll want to start planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon as soon as you know your available dates.

By planning, I mean booking your lodging or campground in or near the Grand Canyon. Some stays, especially inside the park, get booked solid a year in advance.

On both of our visits to the Grand Canyon with kids, we stayed outside the park – once in Tusayan, once in Williams.

How to Get to the Grand Canyon  

If you plan to fly, the closest major airports are in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

However, from these gateway cities, it’s still a 4-5 hour drive to Grand Canyon-South Rim.

Flagstaff is much closer – from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, it’s just a 90-minute drive – but flights are limited.

We flew into Las Vegas. This was the easiest, cheapest and most direct way for us to fly from the east coast. We spent the night off the strip in Las Vegas.

We then made the drive to Williams (the closest “big” town to the Grand Canyon) a day later after spending time in Las Vegas.

If you plan to stay in Las Vegas, here are the best kid-friendly hotels in Las Vegas . I also pulled together a list of things to do in Las Vegas with kids . 

What’s great about flying into Las Vegas is that the drive to Grand Canyon-South Rim takes you along historic Route 66 in Arizona .

Make stops at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman and snap photos with Giganticus Headicus, a 14-foot Tiki style head in Seligman.

Alternatively, fly to Phoenix. From here, it’s an easy drive north along I-17 to Flagstaff. Then you’ll go west along I-40 to Williams, then north to Grand Canyon.

If you have time, make a side trip to Sedona. Drive to Airport Mesa for the most incredible views of Sedona’s red rocks.

Flying in to Flagstaff is an option. It’s serviced by American and United, but flights are few and you will still need to fly through either Dallas, Phoenix or Denver.

You won’t save any time, but you will likely spend much more money.

Grand Canyon: Where to Stay

When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids, you have three lodging options. Well, four if you include campgrounds.

However, since in-park campgrounds are often (though not always) first-come, first-served, I hesitate to suggest this as an option for families.

In-Park Lodging

There are eight lodging options located inside Grand Canyon National Park. These book up months and months (and months) in advance. 

If you’re keen on a stay in Grand Canyon, like literally steps from the edge of the canyon, book your lodging now (like stop reading and go book a room).

Six of the lodges are situated along the South Rim. The seventh option – Phantom Ranch – is deep in the canyon and can only be reached by foot, mule or raft.

Phantom Ranch also is known to book up solid 18 months in advance.

This may be the best place to stay in Grand Canyon since it’s actually in the canyon, not just situated along the rim.

El Tovar Lodge , Kachina Lodge , Thunderbird Lodge and Bright Angel Lodge are historic Grand Canyon National Park Lodges on the South Rim.

Maswik Lodge is a 5-10 minute walk away from the canyon’s edge and has a food court inside. Yavapai Lodge – run by Delaware North – is also at the South Rim.

However, this pet-friendly lodge is set back from the edge and is closer to Market Plaza, which has groceries, a deli and souvenirs for sale.

You can rent outdoor gear and mail postcards there too.

On the North Rim, there is one hotel, Grand Canyon Lodge . This hotel is open from May 15 to October 15. 

Tusayan Hotels  

On our first trip to the Grand Canyon with kids, we stayed in Tusayan. It’s just one mile from the South Rim entrance.

Across three blocks, there’s a McDonald’s, a Wendy’s, a Starbucks and a handful of sit-down restaurants. There’s also a small grocery store.  

There are six hotels in the quaint three-block town of Tusayan, including:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon

Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn

Red Feather Lodge

Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel

The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Seven Mile Lodge

We spent two nights at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon , which had free wi-fi, free breakfast, a fitness center and an indoor pool.

The hotel also has KidSuites that sleep two adults and three children, which are perfect for traveling families.

It’s easy to get into Grand Canyon National Park from Tusayan thanks to a free shuttle that makes stops across the town every 15-20 minutes.

You’ll thank me as you cruise into the park on the shuttle and bypass the long line of cars waiting to get in to the park for the day.

Staying in Tusayan may be the next best thing to staying inside the park.

Considering hotels in Tusayan have in-room wi-fi and air conditioning (most, if not all, in-park hotels do not), a stay in Tusayan may even be the very best lodging option, especially with kids.

Tusayan hotels are among the best Grand Canyon hotels given their proximity to the national park.

Williams Hotels  

On our second visit to the Grand Canyon with kids, we stayed in Williams. It’s about an hour from the South Rim entrance.

Here you’ll find a small Western town complete with Americana-style restaurants and shops that date back to the early-1900’s.

When considering where to stay near Grand Canyon, there are a lot of comfortable budget hotels and motels in Williams, like Comfort Inn and Days Inn .

We chose a more classic stay, The Lodge on Route 66 . The upscale Route 66 motel had recently been renovated and was an easy walk to shops and eateries.

A popular stay in Williams is at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel , which resembles the century-old train depot.

It’s a popular pick among those taking the train to the Grand Canyon for the day on the Grand Canyon Railway. There’s also an RV park and a pet resort.

We stayed in Williams for two nights and it was the perfect amount of time to explore both the Wild West-style town and the Grand Canyon.

There plenty of pet-friendly hotels in Williams , as well as stays that include free breakfast and free wi-fi.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon and want to stay in either an RV or tent, plan ahead.

On the South Rim – there are three campgrounds , including Mather Campground, Trailer Village and Desert View Campground (closed in winter).

Mather Campground and Trailer Village (RVs only) can be booked online months in advance.

Desert View Campground, however, is a first-come, first-served campground that fills up by noon each day (likely earlier during high season).

There are some options outside the park too, like the Grand Canyon / Williams KOA in Williams, which has tent sites and pull-through RV sites, as well as cabins.

In Tusayan, Grand Canyon Camper Village accommodates RVs with full hook-ups.

There is also one campground on the North Rim called North Rim Campground . This campground is open from May 15 to October 15. 

What to Do: Grand Canyon with Kids

There’s a lot to see and do at Grand Canyon National Park, but I first suggest watching the park orientation film at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

The 22-minute film, Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder , takes visitors on a dawn to dusk journey across this natural wonder.

Once you’ve seen the Grand Canyon in broad strokes, here’s what I suggest. All of these activities can be easily accessed by way of the free in-park shuttles.

Walk Along the Rim Trail  

The Rim Trail is an easy, paved walk. It’s ideal for children and is very much wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Walk the .7 mile section between Mather Point (adjacent to Grand Canyon Visitor Center) and Yavapai Point. I stared out into the Grand Canyon the entire time.

This relaxing stroll may be the best way to see the Grand Canyon with family.

Attend a Ranger-Led Program  

Attend a ranger program. You and your kids can learn about fossils, geology, native birds and animals. There are even ranger-led walks and night sky programs.

Pick up a park newspaper when you arrive or go online ahead of time to check out the schedule.

Stamp Your Parks Passport (Multiple Times)  

Buy a Passport to Your National Parks (you can buy one online for $12.95) Inside the park, buy the official park sticker to add to your passport book.

Then, keep your eyes open for cancellation stamps, including stamps at Yavapai Geology Museum and Desert View.

Become a Junior Ranger  

Pick up a free Grand Canyon Junior Ranger program booklet at any visitors center in the park.

Kids complete a certain number of activities depending on your child’s age. Children also need to attend a ranger-led program.

Kids can earn South Rim, North Rim and Phantom Rattler badges.  

Bike Along the Greenway Trail

Rent bikes or e-bikes, as well as bike trailers, from Bright Angel Bicycles near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to see the park from a new perspective.

There are three different routes that guide you along easy, paved (and largely car-free) trails close to the South Rim.

Bright Angel Bicycles also offers two different kid-friendly Grand Canyon tours by bike, including the 6-mile Hermit Road Tour and the 5.8-mile Yaki Road Tour.

What Else to Do Near the Grand Canyon

While there is plenty to do inside Grand Canyon National Park, there’s so much more to do in the area to round out your Grand Canyon family vacation.

Here are a few kid-friendly things to do on a Grand Canyon vacation with kids.

Bearizona (Williams)

Bearizona is a drive-thru wildlife park with bison, black bears, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.

Grab a seat on the Wild Ride Bus for a guide-narrated driving tour of the park. There’s a petting zoo and a walk-through area to pet sheep and goats.

Grand Canyon Railway (Williams)  

Get your tickets punched steps from Route 66 and board a restored Grand Canyon-bound train car. But first, a Wild West show complete with gunslingers.

On board, a western singer entertains during the two-hour ride on the Grand Canyon Railway .

Pink Jeep Tours (Tusayan)  

In Tusayan, book a two or three hour four-wheeled adventure with Pink Adventure Tours .

Guided tours take guests the length of the South Rim for sweeping canyon and Colorado River views, enabling visitors to capture plenty of photos and memories.

Meteor Crater (Winslow)

Make the drive to Meteor Crater in Winslow (about 75 minutes from Williams) to see a massive crater in the earth (yes, created by a meteor).

Watch a 10-minute film, then take the one-hour tour along the rim of the crater (a guided tour is the only way to see the crater).

Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff)

From Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, it’s a about a 90-minute drive. Explore Lowell Observatory , which is famous for its discovery of Pluto.

Kids can look at the sun, see the telescope used to discover the most famous dwarf planet and check out interactive exhibits just for kids.

If you drive in from the east, here are a few more cool things to do near the Grand Canyon .

Raft at Glen Canyon, explore the slot canyons at Antelope Canyon and look out into Horseshoe Bend. These are all in Page, Arizona.

Final Thoughts

Before you embark on your own fun-filled Grand Canyon family vacation, I wanted to share a few quick final thoughts and ideas.

Soak it All In  

I can’t stress enough that a visit to the Grand Canyon is a one-of-a-kind experience.

For many, it’s life changing, and you may not even realize it until you are actually there (or once you’ve returned home).

So, take it slow. Don’t rush. Enjoy the views and soak it all in so you can hold onto the memories as long as you can.

Take Lots of Photos  

I easily took three dozen photos of the Grand Canyon while walking along the Rim Trail. Every view seemed better than the last and worthy of a photo.

I look back at my photos now and they all pretty much look the same, but photographing the Grand Canyon is a part of the overall experience.  

Enjoy the Ride  

There’s so much to see and do along the way to the Grand Canyon with kids, like rafting along the Colorado River at Glen Canyon Dam.

Take a guided tour at Lower Antelope Canyon and taking in the views from Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona.

Slowing down along historic Route 66 is one more way to savor your Grand Canyon family vacation.

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12 Things To Do in the Grand Canyon With Kids (2023)

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The magnificent Grand Canyon, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River and surrounded by deep red canyon walls, is an incredible sight to behold and we loved exploring the Grand Canyon with kids. From incredible viewpoints and hikes to soaring helicopter rides, there are lots of fun things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids.

For those of you planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids, we wanted to share our tips for visiting: we’ve included where to stay, our highlights from outside the park and our favorite things to do in the Grand Canyon with kids.

Table of Contents

Where to stay a the Grand Canyon with kids

There are two options for accommodation at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:

• Within the park:  stay in the historic El Tovar Hotel or one of the four lodges in Grand Canyon Village. It is also possible to camp in one of the park’s 3 campgrounds.
• Outside the park:  stay in one of the motels or rentals in the nearby town of Tusayan

In Park: Where to stay in Grand Canyon Village

Grand Canyon Village is the center hub of the South Rim and the park’s accommodation is located at the heart of all the South Rim action. The village is also well serviced by the park’s shuttle service which connects the village to the trails. Although it can be expensive, we love staying in Grand Canyon Village and waking up in the park.

Grand Canyon with kids tip:  rooms and cabins at the lodges in Grand Canyon Village usually sell out months in advance. If you are set on staying in the park itself then make sure to reserve your accommodation as soon as possible.

Hotels and Lodges

• Yavapi Lodge:  located a short walk from the South Rim, Yavapi Lodge is a large property and can sometimes have later availability than the other lodges due to having 358 rooms. Some families prefer Yavapi as it’s located further back from the rim than the other lodges –  check prices now !
• Bright Angel Lodge: we stayed at Bright Angel during our most recent visit to the Grand Canyon and had a fantastic stay. The lodge offers rooms and cabins and is located on the rim at the top of the Bright Angel trailhead. Bright Angel is often one of the cheapest options within the park –   check prices now!
• El Tovar Hotel:  the South Rim’s premium accommodation option, the elegant El Tovar is a National Historic Landmark with 78 unique rooms and a fine dining restaurant. –  check prices now!
• Kachina Lodge:  for those seeking regular style hotel rooms Kachina is a good option with clean and comfortable rooms. The lodge sits directly on the rim of the canyon and the views are incredible  –  check prices now!
• Thunderbird Lodge:  situated between Bright Angel and Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge is also located directly on the canyon rim and many of the rooms offer partial views of the canyon –  check prices now!
• Maswik Lodge:  located in a wooded area near the rim of the Canyon, Maswik Lodge has 280 rooms across 12 buildings. The lodge has more of a contemporary style and rooms accessed via outside walkways. It’s a quick shuttle ride or quarter-mile walk from the lodge to the rim  –  check prices now!

Book your stay at the Grand Canyon now!

• Camping:  there are 3 in-park camping options although only 2 are open in the winter months. Mather Campground, close to Grand Canyon Village is first come, first served in winter. Trailer Village RV, located in the Grand Canyon Village, has 111 sites, many of which are full hookups and reservations can be made 13 months in advance.

Outside the park: Where to Stay in Tusayan

• The Grand Hotel:  one of the few hotels with an indoor heated pool to relax in after exploring the grand canyon. Grand Canyon Village is a short drive so you’re quite close to the park – check prices now!
• Vacation rentals: there are some great rental options in Tusayan and its surrounds. These apartments are a great option close to the south entrance and this tented camp offers a unique Grand Canyon experience – check prices now!
• Best Western Premier Squire Inn: clean, modern and only a 10 minute drive from the Tusayan entrance to the park. This Best Western is our first choice for when we stay outside the park –  check prices now!

Book your Tusayan hotel now

National Parks Pass America The Beautiful

If you’re planning to visit a couple of the US National Parks we highly recommend purchasing an America The Beautiful pass. The pass grants you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the US, including all the National Parks. We purchased a pass before we began our trip across the US and it’s one of the best value tickets out there!

Buy your National Parks pass now!

Safety at the Grand Canyon with Kids

Lots of kids visit the Grand Canyon every year and we really enjoy visiting the Grand Canyon with our kids. Some of our tips for keeping safe include:

• Keep kids within close reach: there are exposed ledges which drop off thousands of feet in to the Canyon so make sure your kids stay close and brief them on taking care where they step.
• Toddlers/Younger kids: a harness/hiking backpack is essential for toddlers and younger kids. We carried our baby in an Ergo 360 and our toddler in his Osprey Poco Plus – if you are a regular hiker the Osprey Poco Plus is a fantastic hiking backpack –  check prices now! . A wrist harness, like this one, is another great option if you want something inexpensive to keep a younger kid close to you while you are the Grand Canyon.
• Be careful when taking photos: always be mindful of where you are stepping when taking photos.
• Weather : bring lots of water, sunscreen and hats in summer as the temperatures can be very high, especially if you plan to go beneath the rim. We try and keep the afternoons free so the kids aren’t in the sun for too long. In winter, ice can make for slippy viewpoints so, again, extra care is needed.

The Best Things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids

We’ve included our favorite things to do at the Grand Canyon with kids:

1 | Check out the South Rim Viewpoints

The magnificence of the Grand Canyon is best appreciated from one of the incredible South Rim viewpoints which are dotted along the rim. The viewpoints are located in 3 areas:

• Hermit Road : between Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest
• Visitors Center/Kaibab : to the east of the historic Grand Canyon Village
• Desert View Drive : between the East Entrance and Grand Canyon Village

Grand Canyon with kids tip:  there are two main shuttle routes servicing the Grand Canyon South Rim. The East bound orange route starts at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and services the South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Overlook while the west bound red route shuttle travels along Hermit Road. Private cars are prohibited year round at South Kaibab and between March to November on Hermit Road.

Some of our favorite viewpoints for visiting with kids are:

• Mohave Point: located on Hermit Road, Mohave Point has some of the best panoramic views of the canyon from the South Rim. It’s easily accessible on the red shuttle route and a nice bike ride at quiet times – we cycled the 3.3 miles from Bright Angel Lodge.
• Mather Point: Located next to the visitors center, the iconic Mather Point is one of the easiest to visit with kids! This is probably the easiest to visit as there is a parking lot close to the viewpoint.
• Desert View and Watchtower: Desert View is the first viewpoint you will come across as you enter from the East Entrance and it’s a fantastic introduction to the magnificent Grand Canyon. Our kids loved climbing the Watchtower to the Observation Deck although this has been closed since late 2020.

2 | Become a Junior Ranger

The National Park’s Junior Ranger Program is an awesome way to help immerse kids in the nature and history of the park. A junior ranger badge is awarded to kids who attend a Ranger Led Program and complete activities including drawing, poem writing and recording observations about the park.

Grand Canyon with kids tip: Junior Ranger books are available at the Grand Canyon Conservancy Store in the Visitor Center Plaza, the Yavapai Geology Museum and the Kolb Studio.

3 | Soar over the Canyon in a helicopter

There’s no doubt that the Grand Canyon is best viewed from above and a helicopter tour is one of the best ways to gaze upon its magnificence. Our kids are also obsessed with planes, trains, helicopters and boats so a helicopter ride ticks off all our bucket lists!

Helicopter tours at the South Rim depart from the Grand Canyon South Rim airport located a short drive south of the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitors Center, just outside the town of Tusayan. One of the best tours available the Spirit Helicopter Tour is provided by Maverick Tours. Helicopter tours are expensive but they are also one of the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon so can be worth the splurge- check prices now!

The helicopter tour heads north over the South Rim and takes in all of the main sights of the canyon as it climbs above the North Rim.

For those who prefer airplanes to helicopters, there are also fantastic airplane tours – check prices now!

Grand Canyon with kids tips: we did a helicopter ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon West Rim with Maverick Helicopters and it was an incredible experience. We will never forget soaring over the magnificent Grand Canyon.

4 | Bike the rim

If like ours, your kids love cycling then one of the best things about the South Rim is its accessibility to bikes. Visitors can hire bikes from Bright Angel Bicycles and cycle along either Hermit Road or the South Kaibab Trailhead towards Yaki Point. There is a good selection of rental options and we were able to rent a little trailer for our toddlers.

The Hermit Road Greenway is one of our favorite places for a bike ride with kids. The 2.8 mile trail between Monument Creek Vista and Hermit Rest is packed with viewpoints and it is separate from the road so there are no vehicles to contend with.

Things to do in Grand Canyon tip: if you wish to cycle the full way between Grand Canyon Village and Hermit Rest (of which only part of it is a Greenway) then it’s worth knowing how access to Hermit Road works. Hermit Road is only accessible to shuttle buses between March and November. Private vehicles are allowed between December and February.

5 | Ride the historic Grand Canyon Railway

The historic Grand Canyon Railway is an awesome way to experience the Grand Canyon if you are planning a day trip from Flagstaff, Sedona or Williams in Arizona! The railway first operated in 1901 and the carriages have been restored to take guests on a scenic journey to the South Rim. The train departs from Williams, Arizona and you can ride there and back in one day with 3 hours to explore the Grand Canyon in between.

There’s a pre-departure show, a singing cowboy and even a train robbery to contend with as you return to the days of the old Wild West during the 2 hour 15 minute train ride there and back – check prices now!

6 | The Rim Trail

The Rim Trail is a relatively flat and well-paved 13-mile trail that follows the rim of the Grand Canyon. The trail runs broadly from Yaki Point on Desert View Drive to Hermit Rest at the end of Hermit Road. It’s great for families as you can choose sections of the trail to hike and then hop on the Grand Canyon shuttle bus when the kids need a rest!

At popular times, there’s usually lots going on along the Rim trail and our kids loved watching all the action unfold. There were Ranger talks, painters and even a family of elks on one of our hikes!

We hiked various parts of the Rim Trail during our time at the Grand Canyon – one of our favorites was from Bright Angel Lodge to Maricopa Point and it was one of the highlights of our time at the Grand Canyon.

7 | Experience the Canyon from below the Rim

Descending below the rim of the Grand Canyon is a truly magical experience and there are some short hikes that can be done with kids. Keep in mind that kids will need to have the energy for the hike back up to the rim and there are steep drop-offs along the trail. We carried our kids in hiking backpacks (we used an Ergobaby 360 for our then 6-month-old and the Osprey Poco Plus for our 2 year old).  

• Bright Angel:  the Bright Angel trail follows a fault into the canyon via a series of steep switchbacks. There shorter hiking options – the easiest is 1.5 Mile Resthouse.
• South Kaibab: The South Kaibab Trail follows a ridgeline down into the Canyon and the views are spectacular but it’s a steeper hike up to the rim. There are lots of viewpoints along the South Kaibab Trail – our favorite short hike is the 1.8 mile trail to  Ooh Aah Point but you don’t have to go the full way.

8 | Catch a magical Grand Canyon Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and sunset are magical times and the Grand Canyon and we try to catch both when we’re spending the night at the South Rim. We love Mohave Point for sunrise and Hopi Point for sunset. Mather Point is also a great option for both.

Grand Canyon with kids tip: the South Rim is typically open 24 hours a day all year round. Even if you’re not staying overnight it’s still possible to experience both sunrise and sunset in the park.

9 | Wildlife spotting

The South Rim is home to some incredible wildlife and our kids love spotting the special Grand Canyon residents.

Elk and mule deer are firm favorites and we’ve also seen Califonia condor, turkey buzzards and squirrels. On one occasion we spotted some Big Horn sheep along the rim trail but we’ve had a lot more success spying the Big Horn sheep when visiting Joshua Tree with our kids!

10 | Mule Ride

If you have older kids (9 or older and at least 4 foot 9) then a mule ride is a unique Grand Canyon experience. Mule rides have been synonymous with the Grand Canyon since the late 1800s when visitors first experienced this mode of transport.

It’s possible to take a mule ride to the bottom of the Canyon and spend the night at Phantom Ranch but the four mile Canyon Vista mule ride is a more gentle introduction!

11 | Yavapi Geology Museum and Visitors Center

Both the Visitors Center and the Yavapi Geology Museum are fantastic spots for learning more about the Grand Canyon.

• Grand Canyon Visitors Center: a stop at the Visitors Center theater can make for a lovely break from the trails. It showcases a 20 minute movie, Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder. There are also some great exhibits housed within the Visitors Center.
• Yavapi Geology Museum: as well as its panoramic views the Yavapi Geology Museum has some fantastic exhibitions explaining how the Grand Canyon was formed. The Museum also hosts Ranger Programs which aim to educate visitors about geology.

Grand Canyon with kids tip : the South Rim Visitors Center and Yavapi Geology Museum are closed until further notice.

12 | Trail of Time

The Trail of Time, where each meter walked represents 1 million years of history, is an almost 3 mile flat paved walk which begins at the Yavapi Geology Museum. It’s a fantastic visual representation of the formation of the Grand Canyon. We started at the present time and walked backward and it was fascinating to learn more about the history and development of the Canyon.

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Grand Canyon Railway Train Ride »

Grand Canyon With Kids Travel Tips

1 day or weekend itinerary ideas.

Drive to Desert View Watchtower, ride the Hermit’s Rest route (Red shuttle) . Tip: Do it in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Hike into the Canyon : Depending on your family size, ages, and ability levels we recommend going to the visitor center for information to see which hike and how far to go, is right for you and your family/group specifically.

Ride bikes around the village and along the Arizona National scenic trail.

Camping near the Canyon Rim : Mather Campground Mather campground is located inside Grand Canyon Village. This is a great, central location for your family to sleep and make camp. There are 327 sites, each including a campfire ring, picnic table, and parking space. These hold up to six people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles. Flush toilets and drinking water are available, as well as hot showers. No hookups for RVs.

Helicopter Tour This can be pricey, but it's definitely something that the whole family can enjoy and will remember for years to come.

Grand Canyon West Rim Skywalk is a great attraction for brave kids who want to feel like their walking over the edge of the Grand Canyon. This is the best day attraction for those visiting from Las Vegas.

Food Planning:

Because let's be honest, the kids do not care about the enormous hole in the ground unless their bellies are full. There are a variety of meal options along Grand Canyon’s rim from lodges to food trucks, but it's not like an amusement park where you'll see a concessionaire at every corner you turn; so make sure to bring enough snacks to keep your little ones from melting down when you're five shuttle stops away from the nearest snack stop. Packing snacks and having a picnic is a great way to spend some time at Grand Canyon as an activity as well. You'll burn a lot of calories hiking and walking around, so pack extra and be prepared to have a hungry family. You can also go into Tusayan or Williams to find restaurants and grocery stores.

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• Coffee makers + mini-fridges
• Ecological toiletries + water conservation fixtures

Pet-Friendly | Fireplace(s) | Family-Friendly | Things to Do in Williams | On-site Restaurant | Outdoor Gear Rental Available | Games Provided | Hot Drinks Provied | Eco-Friendly | Spa | Breakfast Included

Sheridan House Inn - Williams

No Children Accommodated | Romantic | Custom Options Available | Breakfast Included | Optional Intimate Personal Chef Cooked Dinners | Private Porch or Balcony | Hot Tub | Award-Winning

Bearizona Wildlife Park

Self-Guided | Family-Friendly | Things to Do in Williams

Best Western PREMIER Grand Canyon Squire Inn

Family-Friendly | Outdoor Pool | Pet-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | On-site Restaurant | ADA Accessible | Nearest to GNCP | Fitness Center

Helicopter Tour of the North Canyon with Optional Hummer Excursion

The Grand Canyon is undoubtedly beautiful, but this helicopter tour of the iconic canyon elevates the views to a whole new level. Soar over Kaibab National Forest and into the Dragon Corridor—the deepest and widest part of the canyon. Upgrade your tour to include a Hummer tour of other essential Grand Canyon sights after the ride; your car is waiting for you for a seamless transition.

• Grand Canyon North Rim helicopter tour
• Bring your camera for unbeatable views of the canyon
• A memorable travel experience great for first-time and return visitors alike
• Upgrade to include a Hummer tour after the helicopter ride

Optional Ground Tour | Family-Friendly

Grand Canyon Railway

Family-Friendly | ADA Accessible | Things to Do in Williams

Western River Expeditions

Professionally Guided | Meals Included | Multi-Day Tours | Family-Friendly | Leaves from Las Vegas

Maverick Helicopter Tours

Family-Friendly | Reserve Now Pay Later | Additional Tour Options Available | Leaves from Las Vegas | Leaves from Tusayan | Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Optional Ground Tour

Raptor Ranch RV Park & Campground

RAPTOR RANCH Campground is only 20 MINUTES FROM THE SOUTH RIM ENTRANCE!

We are located close to the Grand Canyon. The campground offers 32 RV Sites, 25+ Tent Sites. FREE Raptor Flight Demonstrations to All Campers! and FREE admission to Bedrock City.

There is free WiFi Available in Lounge & Laundry Room. We have a Grocery Store on Site, Campfire Rings, Firewood Available at the Camp Store, Giftshop, Showers, Snacks, Coffee, and an Overflow Parking.

Check-In: 1:00 pm, Check-Out: 12:00 pm

Pet-Friendly | Outdoor Fireplace/Pit | BBQ/Grill | Propane Refilling Station | General Store | Shower | Dump Station | Community Restrooms | WiFi | Family-Friendly

Papillon Helicopters

Leaves from Las Vegas | Leaves from Tusayan | Multi-Attraction Tours | Family-Friendly

Grand Canyon Oasis

• On the way to the Grand Canyon! 50 minutes to east entrance
• Full RV hook-ups with 30/50 amp electricity, sewer and water
• Extra long pull-through spaces
• Adorable tiny houses for rent
• Small, quiet glampground with only 11 spaces
• No public bathrooms or showers
• Free Starlink Wifi
• Paid laundry on site
• Pet friendly, dog park coming soon!
• Direct access to forest service roads for walking dogs, biking, ATV
• Community BBQ Grill and vending (ice, drinks, ice cream)
• Covered patio
• Picnic tables
• Basketball, ping pong, cornhole, disc golf
• Kids play area and swing set
• Borrow a telescope
• Close to Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments
• Community garden coming soon!

Pet-Friendly | Laundry | Games Provided | Access to Trails | BBQ/Grill | WiFi

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale

Marvel at the beauty that is the South Rim during this Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale. Highlights include a day trip to visit Arizona’s breathtaking Grand Canyon National Park, a scenic drive with views of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, and several viewpoints at the spectacular Grand Canyon South Rim. Optional "Colors & Canyons" 45-minute helicopter upgrade available.

Professionally Guided | Hotel Pickup | All Fees Included | Family-Friendly | Private Tours Available | Custom Options Available | Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale

Wildland Trekking

Family-Friendly | Professionally Guided | Shuttle Services Provided | Gear Rental Available or Provided | Meals Included | Multi-Day Tours

Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Sedona Lodging | Outdoor Pool | Fireplace(s) | Free Hot Breakfast | Concierge | Pet-Friendly | Family-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | Fitness Center

Grand Canyon South Rim Self-Guided Driving Tour

• Fully Guided Personal Tours
• Professionally Narrated Stories
• Tour Valid Forever
• Works Offline
• Tour At Your Own Pace
• Location Aware, Plays Automatically
• Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
• No Groups. No Tips

Self-Guided | Family-Friendly | Additional Tour Options Available

2.5 Acres in the Pines w/ Game Room, Hot Tub, & Space for your family - Flagstaff

Our home is nestled in 2.5 acres of Ponderosa Pines with breathtaking views of Doney Park East ridges & immediate access to hiking/mtn biking. The house is updated with a Gourmet kitchen & all the amenities you might need.

This is the perfect base for all your adventures including the Grand Canyon, skiing Snowbowl, hiking, exploring Sedona, visiting Flagstaff/NAU or exploring the attractions. Its 5 bedrooms, 3 baths comfortably accommodate 12 making this house perfect for large groups/families.

Flagstaff Hotels | Family-Friendly | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Fireplace(s) | Games Provided | Family-Friendly

Briar Patch Inn - Sedona

Briar Patch Inn is the #1 Ranked B&B in AZ since 2011 and has received Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence The Briar Patch Inn features 19 cabins situated on 9 lush acres in Oak Creek Canyon, just 3 miles north of Sedona. Each individual cabin is dressed in distinctly different southwestern decor. The lush grounds - home to wildlife, birds, and two resident sheep - showcase rambling walking paths, canyon oaks, giant pines, and sycamores, all providing the perfect setting to nurture your relationship with nature. Healthy, bountiful, homemade breakfasts are offered by the creek in spring and summer and by the lodge fireplaces in fall and winter. An attentive, longtime staff strives to provide a quality of fine service that is the hallmark of this "magical" sanctuary. A Fodor's Choice and a Frommer's favorite.

Sedona Lodging | Free Hot Breakfast | Family-Friendly | Romantic | Fireplace(s) | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Good for Nature Lovers | Retreat & Workshop Venue | Intimate Wedding Venue | Massage Therapy

Out Of Africa Wildlife Park

Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | Low-Risk Covid-19 Activity

Pink Jeep Adventure Tours

Family-Friendly

Canyon Dave Tours

Private Tours Available | Educational | Lunch Included | Family-Friendly | Family Business | Multi-Attraction Tours | Multi-Day Tours

Grand Canyon West Rim Bus or Private Tour with Hoover Dam

Private Tours Available | Professionally Guided | Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included | Leaves from Las Vegas | Family-Friendly

Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure from Scottsdale or Phoenix

Make the most of your time in Arizona with a full-day tour that visits both the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Depart early from Scottsdale or Phoenix to explore the south rim of the Grand Canyon, taking in two prime viewpoints and strolling along the rim, then eating lunch. Continue to Sedona where you check out the uptown district, and get photo ops at red rock sites.

• Includes lunch and entrance fees
• Learn about Arizona’s history and natural features

Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Custom Options Available | Hotel Pickup | All Fees Included | Professionally Guided | Lunch Included | Family-Friendly | Educational

Custom Grand Canyon Day Trip from Phoenix

Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup | All Fees Included | Professionally Guided

Grand Canyon Day Tour with Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon

Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup

Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views

Make the most of limited time and see the highlights of Grand Canyon National Park in just a couple of hours on this sightseeing tour. Ride in a windowless, open-air Hummer and listen to commentary from your guide as you visit some of the canyon’s best lookout points, where you can hop out, take photos, and explore. Since this is a small-group tour, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, too.

• Visit multiple lookout points within Grand Canyon National Park
• Enjoy the undivided attention of a private driver/guide
• Ideal for first-time visitors and those with limited time
• Choose from multiple departures to best suit your schedule

Grand Canyon National Park Bus Tour from Las Vegas

Explore the natural side of Arizona with a day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim on our luxury bus tour. Your professional bus driver is trained to provide you with interesting facts about the history, flora, and fauna on one of the great wonders of the modern world.

Once you arrive at the South Rim, enjoy stops along the rim such as Mather Point and Bright Angel Lodge. Explore popular attractions in the Grand Canyon National Park such as El Tovar, Hopi House, Kolb Photo Studio, and the Bright Angel Trail and make memories of a lifetime!

Family-Friendly | Leaves from Las Vegas

Grand Canyon South Rim, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Las Vegas

• - Grand Canyon National Park, a must-see World Heritage site in the Southwest
• - Antelope Canyon, a renowned slot canyon whose colors and shapes have captivated photographers from around the world
• - Horseshoe Bend where you can overlook the winding Colorado River below.

On the way back to Las Vegas, we will have a short break in Seligman, a small town on Route 66. This is a nice little stopover where you can enjoy the old American atmosphere.

Leaves from Las Vegas | Family-Friendly | Multi-Attraction Tours

Small Group Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip from Las Vegas

Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly | Hotel Pickup | Breakfast Included | Lunch Included

Junipine Resort Sedona

Sedona Lodging | Romantic | Fireplace(s) | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Whirlpool Tub | Family-Friendly | On-site Restaurant | Fitness Center

Canyon Plaza Premier Studio and Apartments

Pet-Friendly | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Family-Friendly | Swimming Pool | On-site Restaurant

Arizona Mountain Inn & Cabins - Flagstaff

Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | Flagstaff Hotels

IMAX Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center

Kaibab Lodge

Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | On-site Restaurant | Fireplace(s) | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen

Signature Tour - Grand Canyon South Rim with Ground Tour from Phoenix

Marvel at the Grand Canyon's vast expanse and some of the American Southwest's most awe-inspiring terrain during a scenic flight from Phoenix. Your pilot flies at the perfect altitude to clearly view the natural beauty of Arizona, including Tonto National Forest, San Francisco Peaks, Montezuma Well, and the Red Rocks of Sedona. Experience this majestic wilderness from the ground and air on a day-long tour that includes a stop in the National Park and the historic village.

• Full-day tour of the Grand Canyon by airplane, from Phoenix
• Soak in spectacular aerial views of the Grand Canyon and other Arizona landmarks
• Fly over Tonto National Forest, the Red Rocks of Sedona and Montezuma's Well
• Learn about the wildlife, geology and history of the Grand Canyon and Arizona

Family-Friendly | Multi-Attraction Tours | Professionally Guided | Educational | Leaves from Phoenix/Scottsdale

Hilton Sedona At Bell Rock

Sedona Lodging | Family-Friendly | Pet-Friendly | Whirlpool Tub | Outdoor Pool | On-site Restaurant | Kitchenette or Full Kitchen | Golf Course | Fitness Center | Wedding Venue

Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Small Group Day Tour

Hotel Pickup | Lunch Included | Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly | Leaves from Las Vegas

Small-Group 3 Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour With Las Vegas Strip Pickup

Visit Hoover Dam on a Las Vegas "mini" tour that doesn't take up a whole day so you don't waste your precious vacation time. Or, perhaps you have a late flight and want to do something fun after hotel check-out. After departing the Strip, head to the dam, where you visit lookout points for views and photo ops.

• Visit Hoover Dam on a tour designed for those short on time
• Round-trip transport provided from the Las Vegas Strip
• Travel by small-group vehicle
• See the dam, Colorado River, and Lake Mead from different angles

North & East Rim Imperial with Ecostar Family Flight

Recommend for groups of 4+. Take the Imperial Air tour on an aircraft dedicated exclusively for yourself and your family/friends.

In the Spotlight

RELATED TRIP IDEAS

MORE GRAND CANYON TOURS TO CONSIDER

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Make Moments Matter

The Best 1 Day Itinerary For The Grand Canyon with Kids.

 Grand Canyon with kids itinerary

Table of Contents

If you think the Grand Canyon with kids is not a good idea then keep reading to find out why you need to change your mind.

Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon with my three children while watching a radiant orange sun climb over the ancient rim is a moment I will treasure long after my children are off exploring the world on their own

At 446km long and with widths varying up to 29km wide the Canyon is immense.

Peering down into areas that can be up to 1857 meters deep in parts, it is awe-inspiring to see the layers of almost 2 billion years of geological history exposed by forces such as the constant flow of the Colorado River carving its way downwards.

The Grand Canyon For Kids

Although the busier section of the Grand Canyon. We decided on exploring the South Rim as we thought it would be the  best way to see grand canyon with kids for its ease of access and variety of lookouts and activities

As with any travel with children , there may be experiences you might not want to tackle.

White water rafting along the Colorado River or taking the 19 km hike along the Bright Angel Trail come to mind.

That doesn’t mean that you will miss out. Instead, you get to experience this geological wonder through the curious eyes of your children. It can come as a surprise how much magic this can bring to a destination.

Start planning your own amazing adventure with our fantastic resources for family travel

Accommodation At The Grand Canyon

Staying within the park is a must.

With only one day in the park, we wanted to fit in as much as possible and cut out any travel time.

Getting a great nights sleep is vital to fitting in a big day of exploring too.

There are a variety of options available inside the National Park from Camping  to Lodges.

We chose to stay at Yavapai Lodge . Located only a short walk from the South Rim and close to services like the general store. The main lodge also has a coffee shop, wifi and a restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The morning we ate breakfast there, the whole lodge stopped mesmerized for a short time while a fawn went bounding past the large windows.

Sunrise At The Grand Canyon

Although there are a few amazing spots to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon , we chose Yavapai Point.

This is one of the busier spots. However, it was an easy trip from the lodge in the early hours of the morning. Just make sure you get up early to beat the crowds.

Even though we were so close we drove down to the lookout.

I saved my place to catch some sunrise photography . Once the sun made an appearance my husband and kids joined me.  After enjoying some extra sleep in the car.

The Canyon comes out of the shadows in cool purples and mauves. Then the sun paints the 2 billion-year-old Canyon in bright reds and metallic browns. You may have seen lots of images of this place. Nothing compares to standing in silence and watching the sun greet the earth here in real life.

The canyon is apparently a popular spot to start the new year. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to see the grand canyon new years eve sunrise!

Want some top tips on taking amazing sunrise photos like this? Check out our photography tips .

How To Spend A Morning At The Grand Canyon

The glow of the sunrise will stay with you for a while afterward, making it the perfect time to go and start your day with a hearty breakfast.

A family of deer met us on the path on our way to breakfast, contently eating their own morning meal while we watched in awe.

After our meal, we caught the convenient and free shuttle bus  to Grand Canyon Village.

There are outdoor exhibits at the Visitor Center sharing a wealth of information about the area. It was also our starting point for our rim walk.

From here we walked along The Trail of Time. Wowed by various viewpoints along the way like Mather Point.

Despite the rain, the children didn’t whine once for the whole 4.56km walk up to the Geology Museum. Too engrossed with the views and information on the trail to remember to complain about the walk.

Things To Do In Grand Canyon With Kids

Grand canyon geology for kids.

As an adult, it is hard to put the overwhelming age of the Grand Canyon into any kind of perspective. Even harder when you try to describe this to a child who thinks Santa’s visits every year takes forever or that you’re 100 years old.

So, how to explain, w hat is the Grand Canyon for kids?

I found some great books we could read together before our trip like this book.  It really helps to set the scene before you get to the park. 

When you are at the Canyon, The Trail of Time does a great job of putting the history of the Canyon into a concept we can get our heads around.

The Trail starts at the Million Year Trail. A human time scale with information and events that then progresses to the Trail of Time where each meter on the walk, represents a million years of the Grand Canyons geological history.

There are bronze and silver markers to show where you are in time. The children loved to race to these to see what year we were up to.

How Was The Grand Canyon Formed For Kids

As you walk along there are samples of rock brought up from the canyon and placed along the path on their represented creation time.

You can touch 270-million-year-old fossils and discover what kinds of rocks make up the Canyon and its layers of colors.

Our children also loved the viewing spots. Here they had to search for the Colorado River or certain rocks in the Canyon walls.

They puzzled over the unconformities ( millions of years of geological history missing from the layers) and watched eagles soar on overhead.

Yavapai Geology Museum

At Yavapai Point, you will find the end of the Trail of Time at the Yavapai Geology Museum.

Gazing through its huge viewing windows you can learn  how is a canyon formed for kids .

Park Rangers also run programs and talks from here which are fun and informative. It’s a fantastic place to learn about the G rand Canyon geology for kids.

Walking Trails At The Grand Canyon

After the trail of time, we decided to carry on walking until we reached Hopi House.

The path was virtually empty as the rain clouds gathered.

Watching the rain darkly creep in across the Canyon was a sight that even stopped our active children for a while.

Luckily it only rained for a short while. Just long enough to bring out the rich reds and oranges in the rocks.

Designed by renowned architect Mary E.J Colter, Hopi House was created to resemble a traditional pueblo. This is the style of a traditional home used by the Hopi tribe.

Here you will find beautifully crafted Native American items created by local artisans that you can take home as keepsakes.

Here we caught the free shuttle back to Yavapai Lodge.

Driving At The Grand Canyon

We decided to jump in our hire car and explore the IMAX Theatre presentation of the ‘Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets’ in Tusayan next.

It may have paled in comparison to the real thing after we had seen it and we all left the show unimpressed. Maybe it would be a great lead up to your visit to the Canyon?

We did learn some of the human histories of the canyon. The children especially enjoyed seeing how the Native Americans like the Pueblo people lived and called the Canyon home for thousands of years.

Not wanting to waste our trip we skipped the vast array of fast food and headed to the bright and cheerful, Sophie’s Mexican Kitchen for a late lunch. The servings were huge, food fresh and the service quick and friendly.

Knowing we wanted to watch the sunset in the perfect spot we decided to drive up to The Watchtower at Desert View.

Desert View Drive

Firstly, it’s important to know that Yaki Point along this route is closed to all private vehicles. Only the shuttle buses can make the trip to the lookout.

Along Desert View Drive viewpoints, however, are a dime a dozen.

Some of the more spectacular are Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point.

Each offers a slightly different view and highlights different standout features of the Canyon.

Also created by Mary E.J Colter, The Watchtower at Desert View was designed from layouts of several ancient Puebloan watchtowers.

Here you will find hustle and bustle, with large crowds and services like a snack bar, Visitor Center, a petrol station, the trading post, general store, as well as a campground, and restrooms.

Desert View is a popular spot to watch the sunset.

We decided to skip the crowds this time. Instead, we headed to one of the quieter spots to end our day at The Grand Canyon.

If you are looking for more amazing National Parks to see be sure to check out these great tips for visiting Zion, Arches, & Bryce Canyon.  

A magic way to end our one day journey to The Grand Canyon with children.

Of course, there is so much more to see in this amazing place. If you have more time then make sure you spend at least an extra night here to make the most of this ancient natural wonder.

Want more ideas for your USA adventure ? Check out these brilliant places for family vacations in the US  or plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park .

If you are taking a road trip with kids to the Grand Canyon, check out these great ideas to keep everyone entertained from Minivanadventures.

Travel With Meraki  – Set your alarm and head to a location early. Not only will you beat the crowds but you will see your destination in the most beautiful light of the day.

More USA Adventures:

Things To See On A Big Sur Road Trip

• Tips For Your Big Sur Vacation

Best Grand Canyon itinerary 1-day

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Love this! We are headed to the Grand Canyon in April with our kids and I love reading about other families trips!

Hope you have an amazing time. We all loved our time there and learnt so much.

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18 Bucket List Trips To Take With Your Kids Before They Turn 18

Bonus: They are all in the U.S.

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Get the whole family involved when deciding where to go on your next bucket list trip.

There’s no better way to bond with your kids before they leave the nest, than by making memorable family vacations. What’s especially nice is that the U.S. has so many vast and diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures, that you can take the kids each summer until they turn 18 and you’ll never run out of places. One of the challenges is narrowing down the list (there are so many great places!). Here are trips that offer not only adventure and beauty, but also educational and enriching experiences. These trips will provide lifelong memories while fostering curiosity and an appreciation for the world around them.

Castle Geyser erupting in Yellowstone.

1. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

Why it's great:.

• Oldest national park in the U.S. and a geological wonder.
• Home to diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, and grizzly bears.
• Incredible geothermal features like geysers and hot springs.

Must-do activities:

• Watch Old Faithful erupt.
• Hike the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook trail for stunning views of the colorful hot springs.

Grand Canyon

2. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

• One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
• Offers breathtaking views that kids will remember forever.
• Great educational opportunity to learn about geology and Native American history.
• Take a mule ride down to the canyon floor.
• Visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk for a heart-pounding view.

Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

3. Disney World (Orlando, Florida)

• The ultimate magical experience for kids of all ages.
• A variety of parks including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom.
• Endless entertainment with rides, shows, and character meet-and-greets.
• Ride Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom.
• Explore the World Showcase in EPCOT for a cultural experience.

Yosemite National Park

4. Yosemite National Park (California)

• Renowned for its majestic waterfalls and giant sequoias.
• A hiker’s paradise with trails suited for all levels.
• Opportunity to learn about conservation and the wonders of nature.
• Hike to Yosemite Falls or take an easier walk to Bridalveil Fall.
• Visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Riding bicycles by the capitol building in Washington D.C.

5. Washington, D.C.

• A rich history that comes alive through its monuments, museums, and memorials.
• Free, kid-friendly Smithsonian museums.
• The seat of U.S. government, making it a great educational trip.
• Tour the National Museum of Natural History and see the Hope Diamond.
• Take a nighttime tour of the National Mall to see the monuments lit up.

Exploring the vast lava fields at Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.

6. Hawaii (Big Island, Hawaii)

• Diverse landscapes ranging from volcanoes to tropical beaches.
• An opportunity to learn about Hawaiian culture and marine life.
• Amazing opportunities for snorkeling, surfing, and hiking.
• Snorkel with sea turtles at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.
• Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and hike to see active lava flows.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

7. The Outer Banks (North Carolina)

• Quiet, family-friendly beaches.
• Historical significance as the site of the Wright Brothers' first flight.
• A great mix of relaxation and outdoor activities like fishing and kite flying.
• Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
• Go horseback riding along the beach.

San Diego is an ideal beach bucket list trip.

8. San Diego (California)

• Beautiful weather year-round.
• Home to famous attractions like the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND.
• Coastal city with family-friendly beaches and surf spots.
• Spend a day at Balboa Park exploring museums and the zoo.
• Take a boat tour to see dolphins or go whale watching.

New York City has plenty to do for kids of different ages.

9. New York City (New York)

• Iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Times Square.
• Diverse neighborhoods offering rich cultural experiences.
• A plethora of kid-friendly museums and Broadway shows.
• Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and explore DUMBO.

There are plenty of amazing hikes in the Smoky Mountains.

10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina)

• Lush forests, scenic views, and abundant wildlife.
• Ideal for hiking, camping, and exploring waterfalls.
• An accessible park that’s great for all ages.
• Hike to Clingmans Dome for panoramic views.
• Drive through Cades Cove to spot deer, black bears, and historic cabins.

11. Chicago (Illinois)

• Known for its museums, including the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.
• Beautiful architecture, such as Willis Tower and Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate.
• Lake Michigan offers beaches and outdoor fun.
• Visit the Museum of Science and Industry.
• Take a river architecture tour by boat.

12. Mount Rushmore (South Dakota)

• An iconic American landmark.
• Located near the beautiful Black Hills and Badlands National Park.
• Rich in history.
• Visit Mount Rushmore and learn about its history.
• Explore Badlands National Park and its dramatic landscapes.

13. Sedona (Arizona)

• Stunning red rock formations and incredible hiking trails.
• Known for its spiritual vortexes and artistic communities.
• A great spot for stargazing due to its dark skies.
• Take a jeep tour through the red rock canyons.
• Hike Cathedral Rock or explore Slide Rock State Park.

14. Boston (Massachusetts)

• Steeped in American history, especially related to the American Revolution.
• A walkable city with family-friendly attractions like the Boston Tea Party Museum.
• Explore the famous Boston Harbor and Freedom Trail.
• Walk the Freedom Trail and learn about the city’s revolutionary past.
• Take a boat tour of the harbor and see the USS Constitution.

15. Zion National Park (Utah)

• Dramatic canyons and towering cliffs perfect for adventurous families.
• Offers scenic drives, easy hikes, and more challenging trails for older kids.
• Great for learning about the geological history of the Southwest.
• Hike the Narrows, a beautiful slot canyon with a river running through it.
• Take a scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.

16. Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral, Florida)

• Inspires curiosity and excitement about space exploration.
• Kids can meet astronauts and explore interactive exhibits.
• Explore the Astronaut Hall of Fame and space shuttle exhibits.
• Try the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator.

17. New Orleans (Louisiana)

• A vibrant cultural experience with unique music, food, and architecture.
• Rich in history, especially about jazz and the French Quarter.
• Numerous kid-friendly activities like the Audubon Zoo and aquarium.
• Take a steamboat cruise down the Mississippi River.
• Walk through the historic French Quarter and try beignets at Café du Monde.

18. Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada)

• A year-round destination offering skiing in the winter and water sports in the summer.
• Crystal-clear water surrounded by towering mountains.
• Perfect for outdoor activities and scenic drives.
• Take a boat ride on Lake Tahoe for stunning views.
• Go hiking or skiing, depending on the season.

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