The South Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon is a great way to view the canyon. It runs twelve miles all along the rim, passing hotels, Visitor Centers, and thousands of people. We’ve picked our favorite part to give you a taste of what the Grand Canyon South Rim Trail has to offer without elbowing people out of the way.
Our recommendation for the South Rim Trail is to take the Hermit Road (Red) shuttle to Powell Point. Stop at any overlooks along the way, as you pass several. You can’t drive this section of the park in a car from March to November, so all Hermit Road travelers are in a shuttle, on a bike, or walking. At Powell Point, hop off the shuttle and begin walking west after enjoying the view from this point.
After just a third of a mile, you’ll reach Hopi Point. There are restrooms at Hopi, and the views are amazing. After enjoying the views, continue on to Mojave Point. This adds another three quarters of a mile to the hike, bringing the total distance to just over a mile (1.1). From there you can pick up the shuttle that continues along Hermit Road.
There will be plenty of people on this trail, particularly during the busy season, but we found this to be the best stretch of the Grand Canyon South Rim Trail for young families. The views are beautiful, the distance is short, the trail is flat and easy, and the traffic is lower than the Village area. As always at the Grand Canyon, keep kids back from the edge and don’t risk your safety for selfie.
