📷 Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on UnsplashGrand Canyon National Park – South Rim
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
A mile deep and up to 18 miles across. The South Rim is open all year. Watch sunset from Hopi Point or Mather Point.
On the South Rim, the Grand Canyon sits at an average elevation of 2,134 m (7,000 ft), and the Colorado River runs about 1,800 m (6,000 ft) below at the deepest point. Near Grand Canyon Village it is roughly 16 km (10 miles) wide, and it stretches 446 km (277 river miles) along the river. It was carved only in the last five to six million years, yet the oldest rock at the bottom is nearly two billion years old.
Hermit Road, about 11 km (7 miles) long, can be reached only by the free shuttle from March 1 to November 30 (as of October 2026). On the outbound run the bus stops at all nine overlooks, including Hopi Point, a favorite for sunsets. At the end stands Hermits Rest, designed by Mary Colter in 1914 to look like an old cabin, with a shop and a small snack bar.
Desert View and its watchtower lie about 37 km (23 miles) to the east, and the road there stays open to private vehicles all year, barring snow. November through February is quietest; in summer, thunderstorms are common. Don't plan a day hike to the river and back.
- Nearest town
- Grand Canyon Village, AZ
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.0544, -112.1401
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Pretty Pink on UnsplashRoute 66, part two: Oklahoma City to the Pacific
© Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Canyons and cliff dwellings of the Four Corners
© Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 3.0Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon via volcanoes and Desert View
© Daniel Olah danesduet10 · CC0Red walls, starry skies – the great canyon tour through the Southwest
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Mather CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South RimTentsCaravans
- Trailer Village RV ParkMotorhome stopover2 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim · 123 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Hermit RapidsCampsite5 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South RimTents
- Grand Canyon Camper VillageCampsite6 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim
- Desert View CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South RimTentsCaravans
- Wander Camp Grand CanyonCampsite22 mi from Grand Canyon National Park – South RimTents
All campsites in Arizona · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim?
Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim is in Grand Canyon Village, AZ, at GPS 36.0544, -112.1401. It is about 11 mi from Grand Canyon North Rim.
Can you camp near Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mather Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim?
Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Route 66, part two: Oklahoma City to the Pacific, Canyons and cliff dwellings of the Four Corners, Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon via volcanoes and Desert View and Red walls, starry skies – the great canyon tour through the Southwest.
What is there to see near Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim?
Places worth a stop nearby: El Tovar Hotel (0 mi), Mather Campground (1 mi), Grandview Point (9 mi) and Cape Royal (12 mi).
When is the best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)