The South Rim
Mather Point, South Rim. Click on the image for a larger view.
Panoramic Map of the South Rim. Zoom in to view details- requires Adobe Reader:
South Rim Guide newspaper- requires Adobe Reader:
Most Grand Canyon visitors go to the South Rim, which includes the village of Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park Airport outside the park, and Grand Canyon Village and Desert View inside the park. The South Rim also features many rim viewpoints accessible from the Desert View Drive and Hermit Road.
Free Shuttle Buses
A free shuttle bus provides transportation around Grand Canyon Village, the Hermit Road, and to Yaki Point and the Kaibab Trailhead.
Amenities
The South Rim has most of the Grand Canyon's amenities, including restaurants, lodging, and camping both within the park and outside of the park. Shuttles operate (for a fee) between the airport, Tusayan, and Grand Canyon Village. Market Plaza features a general store which sells groceries as well as camping, hiking, and backpacking equipment. Equipment rentals are also available. There is also a bank and ATM, self-service laundry, showers, and post office.
Trails
The Grand Canyon's main trails, the Kaibab and Bright Angel, start from the South Rim, as do many of the unmaintained backcountry trails.
When to Visit
The South Rim is open all year. Summer is the most popular time to visit, and the high elevation of the South Rim, 7,000 feet, keeps the weather mild. Days are warm and the nights cool. Late summer typically brings afternoon thunderstorms, which often create dramatic skies and stunning sunsets. Fall is the best time to visit- nights are crisp, often dropping below freezing, but the days are pleasant and the weather stable.
Winter is the least popular and often the most rewarding time to visit the South Rim, as the occasional snow storm drapes the canyon terraces with snow, emphasizing the colors and forms of the canyon. Winter nights are cold and the days chilly, but there are long sunny periods between the occasional storms. Spring has changeable weather with windy storms and even some snow alternating with calm, mild periods.
Getting Around the South Rim
Use the Free Shuttles
From March through October, roads and parking in the Grand Canyon Village area are congested. The best way to get around the village is via the free shuttle bus, which operates year-round in the village, to the Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point, and along Hermit Road.
Park Away From the Rim
It is easiest to find a parking spot near the Backcountry Information Center at the west end of the village, or near Park Headquarters at the east end of the village. There are also large parking lots at Market Plaza and Canyon View Information Plaza, but these tend to fill early.
South Rim Transit Map
Download this map, which shows the shuttle bus routes and stops, as well as parking, in relation to the facilities in Grand Canyon Village- requires Adobe Reader:
Exploring the South Rim
Canyon View Information Plaza and Mather Point
Canyon View Information Plaza. Click on the image for a larger view.
The best place to start your visit to the South Rim is at Canyon View Information Plaza, located at the east end of Grand Canyon Village. Indoor and outdoor exhibits explain the geology and history of the Grand Canyon. You can buy books, DVDs, and souvenirs at the Books and More bookstore located in the plaza.
Mather Point
From Canyon View Information Plaza, you can follow a handicap-accessible paved trail a quarter mile out to spectacular Mather Point, the most visited and photographed viewpoint at the Grand Canyon. Mather Point is especially scenic at sunrise and sunset.
Ranger Programs
Free programs led by park rangers are a great way to get to know the canyon. The programs include guided walks, campfire talks, geology, and special subjects. See the Kids and Families page for details.