The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River located in the northwest corner of Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada.
The Grand Canyon is unmatched throughout the globe for the spectacle it offers to the visitors on the rim. The mile deep Colorado River splits up the Grand Canyon National Park into the South Rim and the North Rim. Although the average distance between the North and the South Rims across the canyon is about 10 miles, it requires a drive of 215 miles to get to the North Rim from the South Rim. The South Rim is accessible all year round receives most of the visitors to the Grand Canyon. The North Rim is only open from mid-May through mid-October. Scenery, climate and vegetation are entirely different between the North and the South Rims because of differences in elevation, the North Rim being about 1200 feet higher than the South Rim on average.
Please visit the Gallery to see some of the pictures of the Grand Canyon as seen through my lens. Hope you like them.
Getting to the South Rim
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is 85 – 90 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona and approximately 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona.
The entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is currently $25 per private vehicle. This covers everyone in the car. Don’t throw your receipt away, since the permit you receive upon paying the fee is good for 7 days. Moreover, if you have a National Parks Golden Eagle (general annual pass), Golden Age (62 and older), Golden Access (blind and disabled) and Grand Canyon Park Passes you can get in at a reduced fee or at no charge, depending on the pass. For more details about fees and passes Click Here.
Inside the Park:
Once inside the park, the best option is to park your car at the Grand Canyon Village and get onto one of the free Shuttle Buses. There are three lines : Blue, Green and Red. Each follow a different route and they stop at various vantage points on the Rim. These buses are very convenient and they run every 10-15 minutes. They take away your driving and parking woes and let you enjoy the magnificent splendor of the Canyon.
Where to Stay:
Although there are hotels inside the Grand Canyon Village, availability is a problem, and you need to book them well in advance of your trip. Other alternatives are places to stay in Tusayan, which is 7 miles to the south of the park or at Flagstaff.
Approximate Driving Distances and Directions to SOUTH RIM, Grand Canyon from:
Flagstaff, AZ
81 miles / 130 kilometers - there are three ways to go:
* Take I-40 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
* Take Highway 180 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
* Take Highway 89 north to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 west to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.
Phoenix, AZ
231 miles / 372 kilometers Take I-17 north to I-40. Take I-40 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
North Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ
212 miles / 341 kilometers Take Highway 67 north to Highway 89Alt. Take Highway 89Alt east to Highway 89. Take Highway 89 south to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 west to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.
Sedona, AZ
119 miles / 192 kilometers Take Highway 89Alt to I-40. Take I-40 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Williams, AZ
63 miles / 101 kilometers Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Las Vegas, NV
278 miles / 447 kilometers Take Highway 93 south to I-40. Take I-40 east to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Los Angeles, CA
494 miles / 795 kilometers Take I-15 east to I-40. Take I-40 east to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Salt Lake City, UT
510 miles / 821 kilometers Take I-15 south to Highway 14. Take Highway 14 east to Highway 89. Take Highway 89 south to Highway 89Alt. Take Highway 89Alt east to Highway 89. Take Highway 89 south to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 west to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.
Denver, CO
859 miles / 1382 kilometers Take I-25 south to I-40. Take I-40 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
Albuquerque, NM
412 miles / 663 kilometers Take I-40 west to Highway 64. Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim.
The Grand Canyon : A Short Visit to the South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)