Ultimate Flagstaff To Grand Canyon Day Trip (2024)
Planning a trip from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon? You’re at the right place.
Flagstaff is the closest city to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, being just over an hour drive. So, it’s the ideal jumping-off point for seeing one of the seven natural wonders of the world! I recently stayed in Flagstaff for 3 days, and made the trip to the Grand Canyon on my last day there.
This article will cover everything you need to know about visiting the South Rim from Flagstaff, including tips on the best viewpoints, things to do, where to eat, and more.
Ready to plan an epic day trip to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff? Let’s dive in!
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Directions
Flagstaff is around a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from the Grand Canyon’s South Entrance. The South Rim is the main entrance of the Grand Canyon, so you don’t have to worry about typing the “South Rim” into maps.
Throughout the drive, there’s beautiful views of Ponderosa pine forests and desert scenery along the way. There’s no facilities along the way, until you reach the Grand Canyon Junction (Valle), which has a few hotels, gas stations, and restaurants. The Grand Canyon Junction is around 50 minutes from Flagstaff, and half an hour from the Grand Canyon South Entrance.
Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon, you can purchase an entrance pass ($35/vehicle, 7 days), as you enter the South Rim entrance station.
Keep in mind that this is the most popular area of the Grand Canyon, so you can expect to see crowds at the entrance, if visiting between 10am-4pm. But don’t let this deter you from visiting. I visited on a Friday around 5pm, and there was no line at the entrance!
Once you arrive, I recommend parking by the visitor center, and checking out Mather Point Overlook and South Rim Trail, before taking the shuttle to the further lookout points.
Things To Do At The South Rim Grand Canyon
Here are some of the best things to do on a day trip to the South Rim.
- 📸 See the popular scenic lookouts (Mather Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point)
- ⛰️Hike South Rim, South Kaibab, or Bright Angel Trail
- 🚗Drive the 23 mile scenic desert view drive
- Visit the Yavapai geology museum
- 🍴Dine by the rim at El Tovar
Best Viewpoints At The South Rim
Once you arrive at Grand Canyon Village, the Mather Point is a must-see overlook, located right by the visitor center. From here, you can walk west along the South Rim Trail to see many excellent viewpoints.
I walked for an hour west on the Rim trail, and saw many spectacular viewpoints, with different perspectives of the canyon. Throughout the trail, there’s a few rock outcroppings where people climb out onto to get a picture of the canyon.
I highly recommend you avoid venturing far off the main path here, as there’s several amazing viewpoints that don’t involve risking your life.
For the best view of the Colorado River, you’ll want to continue walking west, past Grand Canyon Village to see the viewpoints along Hermit Road. If you don’t want to walk this far, you can take the free Grand Canyon Hermit Route Shuttle Bus.
This shuttle departs from the visitor center, and stops at 9 different viewpoints along Hermit Road. Here you’ll be able to see Maricopa Point, Powell Point, and Mohave Point, all which offer incredible views of the sunset and Colorado river.
Best South Rim Hikes
Beyond the scenic overlooks, hiking is a great way to explore the wildlife, plant life, and massive sandstone cliffs within the Grand Canyon. Keep in mind that the South Rim is at an elevation of around 7,000 feet, which can add to the difficulty of any of these hikes.
You’ll want to bring lots of water, snacks, and pace yourself when hiking at the Grand Canyon. Here are some of the best South Rim hikes:
South Rim Trail
- Length: 13.1 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy
I arrived at the Grand Canyon late (around 4pm), so I only had time to hike the South Rim Trail. This is an excellent 13.1 mile trail that starts by the visitor center, that extends east to South Kaibab, and west to Hermit’s Rest.
You can start hiking this trail from the Mather Point Overlook, and it will take around an hour walking west to reach Grand Canyon Village.
This trail offers several different perspectives of the canyon, and has beautiful views during sunset.
Besides the Rim Trail, the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trail are some of the most popular trails.
Bright Angel Trail
- Length: 15.3 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Incredibly challenging
The most popular hike is the Bright Angel Trail, a challenging (15.3 mile roundtrip) trail that descends down into the canyon, all the way to the Colorado River. The trail is narrow, steep, and has a series of switchbacks, where you zig zag down into the canyon.
Throughout the hike, there’s several rest stops, and beautiful views of wildlife, gardens, sandstone cliffs, and canyon walls. Given the elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, you’ll want to plan a full day for this hike, if you plan on hiking all the way down to the river.
South Kaibab Trail
- Length: Up to 15 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
The South Kaibab trail is another moderately difficult trail that descends into the canyon, with unbeatable views of the eastern canyon, sandstone formations, Colorado River, and more.
You can take the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles roundtrip), Cedar Ridge (3.1 miles roundtrip), or Skeleton Point (5.8 miles roundtrip). For beginners, the hike to Ooh Aah Point is a great option. The trail is wide, and takes around an hour round trip. As with any other Grand Canyon hike, make sure to pace yourself, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and pack enough water.
To get to the South Kaibab trailhead, you’ll need to take the free shuttle from the visitor center, as the trailhead is closed to vehicles.
The trail continues to descend further into the canyon to The Tipoff (9 miles roundtrip), and ends at Phantom Ranch (15 miles roundtrip). This trail is narrow, steep, and unlike Bright Angel, there’s no water along the trail. If you want to hike the entire trail, make sure to talk to a park ranger, pack accordingly, and plan a full day for the hike.
Grand Canyon South Rim Map: Parking, viewpoints, and trails
Here is an overview of where to park when you arrive at the Grand Canyon, where to find the shuttle, and the different lookouts and trails.
Where To Stay: Flagstaff or Grand Canyon
If you’re spending the whole day at the Grand Canyon, it’s most convenient to stay overnight at the park (Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan), or outside of the park in Grand Canyon Junction.
Hotels within Grand Canyon Village are the most expensive, whereas Tusayan has more mid-range options. Additionally, the Grand Canyon Junction in Valle (30 minutes outside of the park) has a variety of cheap hotels and Airbnb options, if you’re traveling on a budget.
You can also camp overnight at the South Rim for a small fee, but it requires a reservation. There’s campgrounds at Mather Point, Tusayan (1 mile outside of the entrance), and Desert View, which will give you easy access to the park.
How To Get From Flagstaff To The Grand Canyon Without Driving
If you don’t have a car, you can visit the Grand Canyon on a tour from Flagstaff, or take the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams (30 minutes east of Flagstaff). Here’s an overview of prices and details for each.
Grand Canyon Railway (Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Train)
The Grand Canyon Railway is a convenient way to get to the park if you don’t want to worry about driving or parking. It is a family friendly train ride with live entertainment and narration, that departs from Williams Arizona (30 minutes south of Flagstaff).
You’ll get to explore the park for over 3 hours, and can upgrade the tour to include a buffet lunch and bus tour around the rim.
Flagstaff To Grand Canyon Tours
If you’re visiting Flagstaff on vacation, guided tours are a great way to see the Grand Canyon without having to worry about transportation. One of the most popular tours is a full day tour from Flagstaff that stops by Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and both the East and South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
This tour’s limited to 14 people, and also includes a stop at the famous Cameron Trading Post, where you’ll enjoy a complimentary Navajo lunch. The tour lasts around 10 hours, and they provide roundtrip transportation from hotels in Flagstaff, Sedona, and Williams AZ.
Tips For Visiting The Grand Canyon From Flagstaff
I visited the Grand Canyon at around 4pm from Flagstaff, and stayed there until sunset. Here are a few tips for safety, maximizing your time, and seeing the most while you’re there.
- Start at Mather point and the visitor center (find out which trails are open)
- Walk along South Rim Trail to see unique perspectives of the canyon
- Take the free Hermit Route (Red) shuttle from the visitor center to Mohave and Hopi Point for the best view of the Colorado River.
- If hiking, take the shuttle to the trailheads (trail parking lots are often closed to vehicles)
- Visit this webpage to find out what’s open and closed today
- Remember to stay 6 feet from the rim edge at all time (this is the deadliest national park)
- Stay hydrated and take your time while hiking (South Rim is at an elevation of around 7,000 feet)
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon FAQS
Is the Grand Canyon worth visiting from Flagstaff?
Yes, visiting the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff is undoubtedly worth it! Millions of people travel from around the world to see this natural wonder, and it’s just over an hour drive from Flagstaff. Although I was only there for 3-4 hours, it was definitely the highlight of my trip.
How long do you need at the Grand Canyon?
I recommend spending the entire day at the Grand Canyon South Rim. From the scenic overlooks to the hikes, and desert view drive, there’s many different areas to check out beyond the Mather Point Overlook.
When’s the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?
Anytime is a good time to visit the Grand Canyon, but the weather’s hottest, and the crowds are the highest during the summer months (June-August).
Spring, fall, and winter are all excellent times to visit the park. If you’re planning on visiting during the summer, wear sunscreen, light clothing, and bring lots of water.
What should you bring to the Grand Canyon?
Here are some good things to pack for a Grand Canyon day trip.
- Water and electrolyte drinks
- Small backpack with snacks
- Sunhat and sunscreen
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Camera
- Offline maps (can be downloaded with NPS app)
What is there to do near the South Rim Grand Canyon?
The South Rim is only an hour from Flagstaff, 2 hours from Sedona, and a little under 3 hours from Page. In Flagstaff, you can see sites like Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater, or go stargazing at Lowell Observatory.
In Sedona, you can hike to energy vortexes, slide down natural water slides at Slide Rock, or go on a Jeep tour. And if you’re ready for a road trip, you can visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, and relax on Lake Powell in Page!
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