Complete Guide to the Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, standing on the rim and looking out over the vast, layered landscape is breathtaking.
We visited in October, coming up from Sedona (check out our Sedona blog for more on that adventure!) and found that fall was a perfect time to explore. The crowds were smaller, the weather was cool but comfortable, and the shuttle system made getting around easy. If you’re planning a trip to the South Rim, here’s everything you need to know!
Camping Near the Park
We camped just outside the park on BLM land, found through iOverlander. It was a peaceful, free, and convenient option, with plenty of spots to park our van. If you prefer to camp inside the park, Mather Campground and Desert View Campground are great choices, but they book up quickly!
Hotel Stays (inside the park):
Sunset at the Grand Canyon
On our first evening, we headed into the park to watch the sunset over the canyon. There’s truly nothing like seeing the last rays of light hit the canyon walls, bringing out the deep reds and oranges.
📍 Best Sunset Spots on the South Rim:
Mather Point – Popular and easy to access.
Yaki Point – Less crowded with incredible panoramic views.
Desert View Watchtower – A great stop if you’re heading east out of the park.
We loved how relaxed and quiet the park felt in October—the cooler weather and smaller crowds made it a perfect season to visit.
Exploring Hermit Road by Shuttle Bus
On day two, we checked out Hermit Road, a scenic stretch that’s closed to private vehicles from March to November. Luckily, the free park shuttle makes it super easy to explore.
🚏 How the Shuttle Works:
The red Hermit Road shuttle runs March 1 to November 30.
It stops at nine scenic overlooks along the 7-mile (11.2 km) route.
You can hop on and off at any stop.
We rode all the way to Hermit’s Rest, then alternated between walking some sections and taking the shuttle back. It was the perfect way to experience the canyon without too much effort.
📍 Favorite Stops on Hermit Road:
Hopi Point – One of the best spots for both sunrise and sunset.
Mohave Point – Amazing views of the Colorado River winding through the canyon.
Pima Point – One of the quietest stops with dramatic vistas.
This was one of our favorite experiences at the Grand Canyon—the ability to mix short hikes with shuttle rides made it a great half-day adventure.
Hiking to Ooh Aah Point
That afternoon, we decided to hike to Ooh Aah Point, one of the best short hikes into the canyon for those wanting a taste of the descent without committing to a full-day trek.
Finding the Trailhead
The Ooh Aah Point hike is on the South Kaibab Trail.
Parking at the trailhead is not allowed, so you need to take the orange shuttle bus from the Visitor Center to the South Kaibab stop.
If you’re driving, park at the Visitor Center or Yaki Point shuttle stop, then catch the bus from there.
Trail Stats
🥾 Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) round trip
📉 Elevation Change: ~790 feet (240 m)
🕐 Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
🔄 Out and Back Trail
This steep but short hike gives breathtaking views almost immediately. Ooh Aah Point is the first major viewpoint, and it’s well worth the effort. Just remember that hiking down is easy—coming back up is the hard part!
Scenic Drive: Desert View Road
After our hike, we exited the park via the East Entrance and drove the stunning Desert View Drive. This 23-mile scenic route offers some of the best viewpoints in the park and ends at the historic Desert View Watchtower.
📍 Stops Along Desert View Drive:
Grandview Point – One of the highest viewpoints.
Lipan Point – Panoramic views of the river and canyon layers.
Desert View Watchtower – A must-see! You can climb 85 feet to the top for a unique perspective of the canyon.
This was a perfect way to wrap up our trip, as it gave us one last look at the canyon before heading out.
Why October is the Best Time to Visit
🍂 Smaller Crowds – No summer rush, making it easier to explore.
☀️ Perfect Weather – Cool mornings, warm afternoons, and no extreme heat.
🚌 Easy Transportation – Shuttle buses are running, but the park isn’t packed.
If you’re planning a Grand Canyon trip, we highly recommend going in the fall. The mix of great hiking, scenic drives, and epic sunset views made it one of our favorite national park experiences.
📍 Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Drop your favourite hikes and viewpoints in the comments below! 👇
