Looking for the best activities available at the Grand Canyon? We have enough to fill a canyon. From natural splendor to historic sites, Arizona’s wonderous Grand Canyon makes it onto most visitors’ bucket lists, as well it should. Measured by the length of the Colorado River, the body of water that cuts through the near- mile deep gorge, the Grand Canyon stretches close to 277 miles through Grand Canyon National Park, both the Hualapai and Havasupai Indian Reservations, the Kaibab National Forest, and the Navajo Nation. The Grand Canyon earns its name.
But with such a vast attraction, visitors might feel a little overwhelmed when planning an itinerary to this phenomenal natural wonder in the Copper State. Don’t worry. We have pulled together some of the best activities available at the Grand Canyon to suit a variety of tastes, and you can see them all while staying at the comfortable home base of Zuni Village and RV Campground in nearby Kingman, Arizona.
South Rim
Plan an early arrival when visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon—both to witness the magnificent sunrise and to avoid the traffic that builds quickly after 9:00 AM. While the North Rim has its own perks, over ninety percent of canyon visitors choose to visit the southern rim. The South Rim features Hermit Road, a popular hiking and cycling destination with phenomenal lookout points.
Antelope Canyon
If you want to absorb more of the natural beauty the Grand Canyon area has to offer, consider a guided hike through Antelope Canyon. While incredibly beautiful, with a host of Instagrammable photo ops, this sandstone slot canyon can sometimes experience treacherous conditions. It is also located on private Navajo land, and a registered guide is absolutely required to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Grand Canyon Village
For spectacular views into the past and the present, not to mention some fabulous souvenir shopping, be sure to pencil in some time to explore the Grand Canyon Village. Located at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, this area features the historic El Tovar, a luxury lodge that sits directly on the canyon’s southern rim, unparalleled hiking with Bright Angel Trail, unique, historic architectural structures like Hopi House, and so much more!
El Tovar and Mary Coulter
While built in 1905, when the Fred Harvey Company took over the El Tovar Lodge, it raised the standards of the facility to create a luxury travel destination that redefined the image of the American West. Architectural aficionados will appreciate the unique building and interior designs of Mary Coulter, who served as the chief architect for the Fred Harvey Company. Her stamp can be found in many of the buildings in Grand Canyon Village, including the Phantom Ranch, Lookout Studio, and Hopi House.
Grand Canyon Railway Depot
Visitors to the village can also see the historic Grand Canyon Railway Depot which has ferried many travelers to the canyon over the years since its establishment in the early 1900s. Trains still operate out of the depot to this day.
Bright Angel Trail
Currently, only the first half-mile of this popular trail is open due to construction, but you can still enjoy the beauty and scope of the canyon on an abbreviated hike of Bright Angel Trail. During normal operations, the full trail is not recommended as a single-day hike. With a trailhead located near the village, this 15.3-mile, steep dirt trail is popular with hikers, backpackers, campers, and mule riders, so it’s not unlikely to find the path congested at times. Exercise caution and follow the recommended National Park Service safety guidelines.
These are among the best activities the Grand Canyon area has to offer, and you can conveniently visit them all when you book a reservation at the Zuni Village and RV Campground in Kingman, Arizona. Our friendly and courteous staff are always on hand to help you with lodging for your next Arizona adventure, like the overnight mule rides along Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch which will resume on April 14, 2024. So, if you’re ready to begin exploring the canyon full of activities Grand Canyon National Park has to offer, contact us and start filling your scrapbooks with fantastic Grand Canyon memories!