Grand Canyon South Rim Tours | Self-Guided Driving Tour

South Rim is at the southern edge of the Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, where you can experience the iconic views of the historic Grand Canyon Village, which is accessible year-round, unlike the seasonal North Rim.

There are different ways to tour the Grand Canyon South Rim; you can join a walking tour, a helicopter tour, a train tour through the Grand Canyon Railway, or Verde Valley wine tours. If you prefer to create your itinerary and tour at your own pace, the self-guided driving tour is perfect for you. You can explore famous landmarks of South Ridge Grand Canyon National Park, including Mather Point, Grand Canyon Village, Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, Bright Angel Lodge, and top hiking trails like Bright Angel Trail!

South Rim is the most visited area in the Grand Canyon. Here are the places that you can go to during your self-guided driving tour:

• Mather Point: The first view many visitors have of the Grand Canyon offers a striking impression of its vastness. Accessible via a paved trail, you can visit its large South Rim visitor center and cafe for your convenience. Don't miss the scenic Rim Trail connecting the Village and Mather Point.
• Yavapai Point: A panoramic viewpoint often visited after Mather Point. Explore the geological history of the Grand Canyon at the Yavapai Museum of Geology, which has interactive exhibits and a visitor center in the surroundings of the canyon rock.
• Grand Canyon Village: The historic hub includes renowned lodges and shops like the Kolb and Lookout Studios. Explore on foot via the Rim Trail to uncover its charm, including the log train station and mule barn. Perfect for Grand Canyon hiking tours!
• Hopi House: Offering American Indian arts and crafts for over a century, Hopi House is a historic must-visit.
• Hermit Road: Formerly known as West Rim Drive, Hermit Road offers some of the best canyon views. Highlights include Powell Point, with a memorial and breathtaking vistas, and Hopi Point, ideal for sunrise and sunset photography.
• The Abyss: A spot to see sheer canyon walls plunging 3000 feet to the Redwall limestone below.
• Pipe Creek Vista: While not the largest viewpoint, Pipe Creek Vista frames a scenic drainage area with Mather and Yaki points. Enjoy birdwatching opportunities, especially during spring and fall migrations.
• Duck on a Rock Viewpoint: An unsigned stop on Desert View Drive, where you can glimpse a rock formation resembling a duck on a rock while taking in the panoramic views.
• Grandview Point: Located between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View, Grandview Point offers stunning sunrise and sunset views.
• Moran Point: Named after artist Thomas Moran, famous for his landscape paintings. Explore this viewpoint to observe changing light and shadows throughout the day, much like the artist did

Two nights would be perfect for the Grand Canyon's South Rim, but if you need to cut down your time, one night will do since a significant part of your Grand Canyon experience will happen during the drive to Page.

The only scenic drive accessible to private cars on the South Rim is Desert View Drive. This 23-mile (37 km) long route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Each viewpoint along the drive has available parking. You can also park in nearby hotels like Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and Grand Canyon Hotel.