It’s a natural wonder on a scale that defies belief. Naturally, visiting the Grand Canyon is a remarkable experience. And while you’re likely to spend a good amount of time gazing out in wonder, you won’t want to miss the many other special experiences you can have here—from hiking to mule riding and more.
Get the View at the South Rim
The South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park is the classic Grand Canyon view. It's also a great first stop on your trip. Here you'll find the National Park Service Visitor Center as well as several museums and interpretive sites, and you'll have a chance to watch the park's orientation film and take part in free ranger-guided programs. The South Rim also includes the trailhead to the Rim Trail, a mostly level footpath with outstanding views of the canyon.
Ride a Mule into the Grand Canyon
Guided pack mule rides are available year-round, taking riders down the deep, winding trails. Of all the things to do at the Grand Canyon, few offer a more rugged adventure. Trips range from short one-hour treks to extended overnight excursions. Rides are available from the South Rim as well as the more remote North Rim, but be advised—they can be booked as early as a year in advance.
Hop a Train to the Canyon
Speaking of adventure, you can be transported to the Grand Canyon by train aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Starting in the city of Williams, Arizona, the railroad carries more than 200,000 people to the Grand Canyon every year aboard vintage rail cars, stopping at historic train depots along the way. The Grand Canyon Railway has been in service since 1901, and when you step aboard the train, you might think you’ve gone back in time to the early 20th century.
Go Rafting on the Colorado River
Whitewater rafting trips through the Grand Canyon offer the adventure of a lifetime, an adrenaline-pumping ride through unforgettable scenery on one of America's most powerful rivers. Whitewater trips typically run three days or more, but you can also take a shorter half-day flatwater trip on a much calmer section of the Colorado River. While it may not be as rip-roaring, the scenery is still hard to beat. Flatwater trips run from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, with experienced guides leading the way.