If you only have 24 Hours At Grand Canyon National Park, fear not! We found out on our most recent southwest road trip this past fall how much can be packed into a single day!
WHERE?
If this is your first visit to the park, I would highly recommend visiting the South Rim. These are the views that will completely take your breath away. This location has a huge range of activities for everyone (from the most casual of visitors to the most seasoned hikers).
WHEN?
I also recommend an autumn visit to the park! We planned our 24 hours for October 9th/10th as part of a larger road trip, and we didn’t experience any significant crowds! Additionally, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. The daytime was sunny and warm without being overly hot, and while the evenings were cold, packing warm layers made this no trouble at all.
Our personal favorite sights and selections from the area can be found below!
(South) Rim Trail
Whether you’re short on time or have days carved out for your visit, the views from the Rim Trail are unmatched! It’s one of the most popular trails in the park. The majority of the walk is quite flat and paved, making it suitable for nearly everyone.
There’s a convenient entrance right onto the trail from the parking lots near the visitor center. You can technically walk up to 13 miles if you wish, but you can also easily enter and exit throughout the path!
The trail stretches from the South Kaibab Trailhead (west) to Hermits Rest.
The Trail Of Time
To say the geology of this area is mind-boggling would be an understatement! The experience of walking The Trail Of Time is a wonderful way to put it all into perspective. Each meter walked signifies one million years of Grand Canyon’s history, illustrated through bronze markers of your location in time.
Because this trail is flat, only about 2.83 miles, and easy to walk, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
(Be sure to find your birthday as you go!)
The trail begins at Yavapai Geology Museum. This is about a half hour walk from Mather Point and the Canyon View Visitor Center.
Shoshone Point
For a quieter hike a little farther off from more touristy areas, be sure to check out Shoshone Point! The beginning of the trail is blanketed in trees, and at the summit, you’ll find a picnic area positioned near incredibly scenic views of the canyon.
The hiking is easy enough for beginners, and the trail is relatively short at only about 2 miles round trip.
The trailhead parking lot is unmarked on the roadside, about a 7-8 minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center. If you’re coming from the Visitor’s Center, the lot is the first one on your left after Yaki Point Road.
Desert View Watchtower
A historic landmark standing at 70 feet high, the Desert View Watchtower is definitely a must-see!
Tickets to take a tour inside the upper floors are FREE, and on a first-come, first-serve basis (with small groups brought in every 20 minutes).
You’ll find observation areas both indoor and outdoor, as well as murals and other artwork.
Wildlife
While we saw everything from chipmunks to lizards to birds, for us the standout sighting was the elk! They emerged in huge numbers right around sunset. Be sure to keep your distance of course!
Sunset (Or Sunrise)
This suggestion goes without saying! Dawn and dusk paint the most beautiful colors across the canyon. We started and ended our 24 hours at the park with a sunset, and both are sights I will never forget!
