**This itinerary is based on the trip that my parents and I took on Feb. 26, 2021. Times and park guidelines may be different depending on the weather and other external factors.**
The Grand Canyon is probably one of the most recognized natural landmarks in the United States and it is no wonder (as it's one of the 7 natural wonders of the world - pun definitely intended) that over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park each year.
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Since the Grand Canyon National Park is 1902 square miles, visitors could spend many days exploring the popular South Rim, the lesser-known North Rim, and the deep interior of the canyon. However, sometimes you only need a day to acknowledge the beauty and history that is found at the largest canyon in the United States of America.
6:00 AM - Drive to the Grand Canyon NP
Rent an Airbnb in neighboring Flagstaff, AZ in order to avoid the tourist prices found at the official Grand Canyon Hotels. You will start your drive following the moon along Historic 66 (present-day I-40) before turning onto AZ-64 N in the little town of Williams, AZ. Follow this highway allow the way to the South Entrance and park your car at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Village.
**Traveling with young children? Stop in Williams, AZ and board the Grand Canyon Railway. You will be transported back to the time of pioneers and cowboys while speeding towards a truly-magnificent destination**
8:30 AM - Walk the Rim Trail
Head east along the Rim Trail towards the South Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point (there is also a free shuttle to this location for those less inclined to walk). This trail allows first-time and returning visitors to truly get a sense of the canyon's depth and expanse; take the time to read the informative panels place conveniently along the paved path.
**Traveling with your dog? This trail is the only path on which dogs are allowed so be sure to allow your furry friend a chance to marvel at the surrounding landscape!**
This trail hugs the South Rim portion of the National Park connecting the farthest west viewpoint (Hermits Rest) and the South Kaibab Trailhead. With 14 miles of stunning vistas, the Rim Trail is a highlight of any visit to the Grand Canyon.
9:00 AM: Descend to Ooh Aah Point
In order to fully understand the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, you must descend under the rim. As the surrounding rock grows taller and taller, your awareness of your size becomes even more significant until you can only gaze with wonder at the geological landscape that represents thousands of years of erosion.
Ooh Aah Point is accessed by the 0.8 mile start of the longer South Kaibab trail that ends at the bottom of the Canyon and then connects to the North Kaibab Trail that leads back up to the North Rim. For day hikers, however, Ooh Aah Point is the perfect stop for a couple of pictures and a quick rest before the strenuous climb back to the South Rim.
12:00 PM: Eat lunch along Hermit's Road
**Hermit's Road is only accessible to personal vehicles during the months of December, January, and February. The Hermit Road Shuttle Bus operates during the rest of the year and stops at 9 designated viewpoints.**
The views from Hermit's Road are the most photographed within the National Park, so take the time to make a car picnic with the views as your backdrop. I recommend finding a non-designated viewpoint in order to avoid the crowds.
We were lucky to find an empty viewpoint situated between the Mohave viewpoint and the Abyss. From here there were a number of trails leading off of the main Rim Trail to these magnificent outcroppings of rock that were picture perfect.
2:00 PM: Visit the Desert View Watchtower
As the most easterly viewpoint in the National Park, the Watchtower has an uninterrupted view of the Grand Canyon facing west. The Watchtower also has some interesting history associated with it, since it is the last in a series of buildings built by the famous architect, Mary Colter.
Designed to resemble a Native American Puebloan Tower, this structure gives visitors a marvelous 360° view of the Grand Canyon to the west and the Painted Desert to the east. Although it was currently closed when we visited, make sure to add this location onto any Grand Canyon itinerary.
5:00 PM: See the Sunset/Moonrise at Shoshone Point
There are multiple locations along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to have an amazing view of the setting sun and the rising moon, however, none can beat the relatively unknown Shoshone Point. Located at the end of an unmarked trail, which starts at an unmarked dirt parking lot, we only saw one other couple during our time at the point.
**Make sure to time your arrival at Shoshone Point to coincide with the golden hour in order to fully appreciate the colors of canyon caused by the setting sun. Since the trail is only 0.5 miles to the point, this is pretty easy.**
Take the time to sit and listen to the cawing of the ravens and the rustling of the wind, while the sun plays shadows along the North Rim and the Moon grows steadily bigger to the east. As you walk back along the trail, surrounded by the pines and guided by the moonlight, reflect on your day spent exploring one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Although the Grand Canyon almost requires an extended amount of time spent exploring its many amazing trails and gazing at its expansive view, visitors can easily simple spend a day that encompasses all that the Grand Canyon offers.
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